This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
At a time when too many rap outfits consist of three guys yelling, New York MC Nas has learned the best way to make people listen is to speak softly.
Never raising his voice above a conversational tone, the motor-mouthed rapper holds forth on all the usual hip-hop topics — getting paid, getting it on and getting out of the ’hood — over kicking Timbaland beats and melodies that are equally calm, cool and collected. Even if he doesn’t have anything new to say, Nas makes you listen to every word.
