Verily, I say, this is the most controversial album of 2008. Nas is always honest about his views and feelings and it is usually not pretty. He's blatant with his words and, there is no doubt, some people will be offended by his statements, but that is apparently his intention. Just recall weeks before the release of the album and how much chaos it stirred up. The quality of this album as a unit is decent, however, as usual, his lyrics are the most grand aspect. The hooks and beats, for the most part, are sub-par, but Nas has the ability to take you away with his clever wordplay.

"Lost Tapes" and "Hip Hop is Dead" are still my favorite works by this artist, but this album holds its own and I will be taking a lot more listens. Chris Brown and The Game assist Nas on the track called "Make the World Go Round." Nas and Game are both lyrical masterminds and together they give nothing less than audible bliss. Chris Brown does a fair job, but he should have had more lines than just the repetitive hook. Busta Rhymes lends his talent on "Fried Chicken." This is one of the most creative tracks found on this album. There are several metaphors so be sure that you listen with your undivided attention. In essence, this song is about the positive and negative qualities of the food. Throughout this album, Nas touches on subjects that are considered taboo to many such as racism, slavery and white supremacy. "Untitled" is one of those songs. Though the hook is repetitive, he pours his soul into this track and leaves his listener with their mouth wide open. The haunting beat aids Nas in conveying his points.

I have said this but I will say it again: This compact disc is not for everyone. It's more suitable for fans of Nas and those who aren't easily influenced by other people's opinions. If some people listen to this album, their whole outlook on life may change forever. Nice work, well-crafted and very different.

Mikeisha's Top 5
"America"
"Testify"
"Queen Get the Money"
"Hero"
"Project Roach"