This is a dark, gritty, hip-hop album, and it's one f my favorites from the 90's.

The first 4 songs are relentless dope hip-hop. Guru's voice is noticebly deeper and raspier then previous records. Lyrically he is improved on this record, spitting about social and political themes, as well as the pitfalls of the music industry ("Mass Appeal").

This is a classic and a must have for hip-hop fans. My favorites are "Alongwaytogo," "Tons O' Guns," "Brainstorm," and "Code Of The Streets."

DJ Premier really heralded in a new era in hip hop with one swift stroke when this album came out. I remember just waiting on each song to begin and being blown away each time by these visceral, chopped up and destroyed samples over some metronomic beats from space with guru's precise street commentary and braggin raps. Things haven't really changed that much since this release, perhaps that is a reflection of this albums greatness. Easily a hip hop classic.

One of the most underrated Hip Hop albums ever. In my opinion this is as close as you can get to a perfect Hip Hop album. Raw, pure, definition of real New York rap. DJ Premier at and Guru both at the peak of their respective games. Track after track of perfectly constructed minimalist sample-driven boom bap perfection. Definitely in my top 5 Hip Hop albums of all time. When people put albums by Dr. Dre and NWA and The DOC above albums like this, I have to question their understanding of what Hip Hop is SUPPOSED to sound like.