The "Intro" is cool as it takes us through a journey through the past jams of his. It quickly gives of audio snapshots of songs like "Halftime", "The World Is Yours",  "One Love", "The Message", "Street Dreams" and "If I Ruled The World".  Then, it has some people talking about how this album is banging... It's alright, better than the average rap intro but nothing mind-blowing. It is edited very well.

"New York State Of Mind Part II" was produced by DJ Premier and uses a slower but similar melody and beat of the original. As Nas says "New York, New York" in the background, Premier scratches "New York State of mind." This is a cool song and Nas does a dope job with both the depth of his lyrics but his flow. Lyrically, Nas paints a very realistic and vivid picture of life in New York, especially Queens..."...Seven turned to six n*ggaz, got two in heaven -Six of us, holdin it, now it's five rollin thick- The sixth one's parole flipped; five n*ggaz, went to fo' quick- when he went O.T., college life, converted into gangbangin- Four n*ggaz still hangin, years passed and slang changin- Three of us now, fourth n*gga ain't around- We all thought he was real -- he did the snake sh*t- Fake sh*t -- beat his ass down, yo his mouth- could've got us all wasted, what a f*ckin clown- All I got left in the end is two of my best friends- And we all goin out, to the death for these ends, WHAT?..."  Though the beat is not as good as the first one, Nas and Premier do an excellent job. The only problem is that it does not kick the album off with an intense energy at the first listen. The track grows on you though.

"Hate Me Now" features Puff Daddy and in my opinion, the song is just stupid. The beat is cool and the sentiments are not bad I think Puff is just horrible. I don't hate him.. I just think that he's a horrible rapper and his Victory-like sayings spoken through the distorted mic just make the song sound stupid. Puff sings the chorus: "..You can hate me now - But I won't stop now - Cause I can't stop now - You can hate me now - But I won't stop now   - Cause I can't stop now   -You ccan hate me now  -You can hate me nooow..." In the background, Puff even says: "You can hate me.. I hate you too..." The song has good energy but I cannot listen to it without thinking... duh! Nas raps about people hating him because of all the money he's making and the jealousy toward him due to his success. I don't hate Nas but this song allows people to criticize this album. Nas raps about money but this lyrical mastermind makes this song seam like just another flossing and boasting jam: "Don't hate me, hate the money I see, clothes that I buy - Ice that I wear, clothes that I try- Close your eyes, picture me rollin, sixes, money foldin- Bitches honeys that swollen..." Come on.. Nas could do better... Next time... keep Puff away.. far away..

"Small World" is an excellent song produced by Nashiem Myrick. It has a very thick, good beat along with an orchestral melody. It's tight. Nas raps about street life in a hardcore style and introduces us to very realistic characters and situations. "Carolyn, from Maryland, she Lady Heroin- She elegant -- her apparel in the M-Class caravan- Ki'ss of dope, lovin cats to ski in her dope- She fuck killers in her condo, her Benz and her boat..." The sentiments of the song are very good as Nas states that people should be careful because what you do comes back to haunt you: "..It's a small world - Nigga you reap what you sew- What goes around, comes around- If you sleep you don't know -A very small world - where beef could never end- At the time you least expect it- I'ma see you again- It's a small world  -You get away with it now- Soon enough it ccatches up to you- Someway, somehow- Yo it's a small world-Watch what you do....." L

.E.S. produced the next joint which is titled "Favor For A Favor" featuring Scarface from the Geto Boys. This is another hardcore joint but the beat is not amazing. It's a good song though which claims that the New York to Texas connection will murder for each other. Scarface has a nice flow as Nas handles the chorus: "..We wet who I what wetted, I wet who you want wetted, Any nigga can get it..A Favor for a favor..." It about murder and a good song with a very intense energy.

"We Will Survive" is much more mellow song with a dope, smooth beat. It's a heartfelt touching tribute to the falling soldiers. The first verse is to The Notorious B.I.G. and gives him true respect. It's the best tribute song I heard to Biggie.. Way better than the Lox or Puff. Nas raps, "For every hit you made, More rappers afraid to come out. Machine gun funk,  From Queens I came through to smoke blunts -You came to my hood- We was broke- I wonder if we stayed that way, would there have been gunsmoke?..." Nas continues with the excellent line: "You can't kill nothin' thats ready to die..."  The second verse is to Tupac. The third is his statement about the biz and to all the fallen soldiers.  This is an excellent song and display's Nas' lyrical gift. It uses a vocal sample of a Kenny Loggins song but I think it's actually Michael McDonald who does the singing in that part of the chorus singing: "Still somehow I believe -We always survive..."  and Nas comes back to rap the completed chorus: "..Still we will survive - No matter what -My people just stay alivee- Still we will survive -No matter what  -My people just stay alive.." Everything about this song is good. It's tight lyrically and the beat is very cool. The quick but light rim-shot beat gives a serious but cool feel. Dope!

"Ghetto Prisoners" is  decent songs which paints another picture of street life in areas of poverty. Nas did come along way...I can see how he is obsessed with money but songs like this let you know that he did not forget where he came from. The beat is alright but the melody is kind of cool. The chorus and the sentiments are decent: "Ghetto prisoners rise rise rise. Ghetto prisoners rise rise rise. Ghetto prisoners rise rise rise. Ghetto prisoners.. get up, wake up, rise..." This song doesn't grab me at first but Nas does show his lyrical skill with some deep lines like: "Life is every man's kingdom, a dyin man's past- and a newborn's, first time to be here at last- And shouldn't have to grow up fast, and suffer our pain- Hustlin harder than the generations here before he came..." It's a good song and I'm glad that he's not boasting about money or rings.

"You Won't See Me Tonight" features Aaliyah and was produced by Timbaland. Now many people who have reviewed this album hate this song. This song actually delayed the release of the album. Now, I rarely like R&B hooks on hip-hop tracks but Aaliyah has a very cool voice which compliments Timbaland's futuristic beat well. This is not an extremely deep track but it is way better than the typical hip-hop R&B tracks. Aaliyah sings the chorus with an original flow: "You won't see me tonight, You won't see me tomorrow,  I'll be gone by daylight, And you'll be so full of sorrow . You go tell all your friends - How you call and I follow -No you won't see me tonight -No you won't see me tomorrow..." The mmain problem with this song is that it is not lyrically deep but Nas has a very honest approach towards relationships. "..You wanna search my pockets and act all wild -Figure I hurt your heart ask how could I smile - Wanna call back all my numbers  -Star 6-9 me, check my car for rubbers p; -But quit trying, before you find what you looking for,  And get to crying, you always saying what you gon do catch me lying..." It's a decent song which has a commercial appeal. It's not as horrible as people say but it is definately not amazing. It would be cooler if Nas did a joint with Erykah Badu or N'dea Davinport from The Brand New Heavies but come on... that will probably not happen. I'm glad that Nas did not do a song with Allure or Kelly Price or some other lame R&B act. I do not like R&B that much but Aaliyah is one of the better singers. I do like that song she sings called "R U That Somebody" off the Doctor Doolittle soundtrack. Timbaland does not talk too much through the song but the beat is kind of cool.

"I Want To Talk You" is a little annoying but original. Nas sings the hook: "...I wanna talk to the mayor, the governor, the motherf*ckin president- I wanna talk to the FBI, and the CIA, and the motherf*ckin congressman. I wanna talk to the mayor, the governor, the motherf*ckin president -I wanna talk to the FBI, and the CIA, and the motherf*ckin congressman. Can I talk to you?.." Nas raps about how African-Americans should get into politics and how they should have more power. His rhymes also brings the ghetto. The hook is repeated too much and that could get a little annoying since Nas is singing it and he's not a great singer. Still, it's an original song with interesting sentiments.

"Dr. Knockboot", produced by Tone and Poke of The Trackmasters, is a short and sweet song with a cool, funky beat.  Though the beat does not have a smooth flow, it's cool. There's no chorus in the song. Nas raps about the do's and don'ts of sex. "..Yo, get a yes confirmation before penetration- Cause you wind up in a police station- Don't get with no young bitch and hit it she PG-13- You rated R she not permited to check for ID- Whenever chillin VIP with fly shorty PYT..." Though some may find this song offensive, it has a cool party feel and some honest and logical statements about what men should do when dealing with sexual encounters. His approach is hardcore and I appreciate that very much. He's not afraid to get nasty and his Nasty Nas persona shines on this joint and leaves Escobar nowhere in site.

"Life Is What You Make It" features DMX on this mid-tempo song with a slightly mellow beat. Nas has a very intense energy on this song and thank God that DMX does not bark! He does yell "Come on!" and "Uh!" which gives the song energy too. Though DMX is only in the middle of the song, he does a good job but his lyrics do not shock like his other cameos. DMX raps some cool rhymes, "...I got no time for games cause I'm all grown up- You wanna joke nigga? laugh when you get blown up  -See how funny it is when your kids aint got no father -Cause you played it sweet now you floating in the harbor ..." Nas handles the chorus that actually has very good sentiments hidden within the street sland profanity: "Life is what you make it nigga, I'ma make it, No matter what it takes my nigga, we gonna take it..." He repeats the chorus about four times. It's a good song which is produced by L.E.S.

"Big Things", produced by Alvin West, has Nas rhyming in a southern Bone Thugs-N-Harmony style which was explored first by other East Coast rhymes like Def Squad on "Y'all N*ggaz Ain't Reddy" and Jay-Z on "N*gga What, N*gga Who?" Nas's approach is cool but sounds like he's trying too hard. You could hear it in his voice that he's kind of struggling with this different style..It does not work too well. The song could be cool Nas sometimes sounds offbeat.The chorus has Nas rapping: "...I ain't fuck with you, Now I'm into big things -Gotta get my life together man- Cuz now I'm into big things -Nah, I ain't gonna rhyme wit you -Cuz now I'm into big things - You know I can't do that shit no more- Now I'm into big things- Nah, I can't fuck with you- I'm into big things -Nah, I ain't gonna stand on the corner -I'm into big things- Now the talk is small talk, I'm into big things, I'm into big things..." The sentiments show Nas as someone who's heavily into making money and making power moves. He can't be bothered with "standing on the corner" because he's into bigger things. The sentiments hidden within the materialism are actually good because he stresses that refuses limitations and looks at the bigger picture as he tries to make big accomplishments. His delivery could have been better. He could have done that futuristic southern bounce flow much better but he did not pull it off tightly like Def Sqaud did.

"Nas Is Like", produced by DJ Premier is probably the best song on this album. The beat is slamming and flows with a very thick rhythm, lush orchestral melodies and even some bells in the background now and then. The real talent of DJ Premier shines in the scratching he does from previous Nas songs like "The World Is Yours". The chorus, completely scratched, sliced and put together by Premier is very intense: "..'Nas is like life or death.. my rep..' - 'My poetry's deep, I never fell..' - 'Nas is like.. half man half amazing..'- 'No doubt..'...." This song could pass for one of the songs from Illmatic though his lyrics are very updated. Nas does an excellent job her using many similies to describe himself to intangible and tangible things. "...I'm like a whole lot of loot, I'm like crisp money. Corporate accounts from a rich company. I'm like ecstasy for ladies, I'm like all races combined in one man; like the '99 summer jam - Bulletproof Hummer man- I'm like being locked down around new faces, and none of em fam' -I'm the feelin of a millionaire spendin a hundred grand -I'm a poor man's dream, a thug poet -Live it, and I write down and I watch it blow up -Y'all know what I'm like, y'all play it your system every night..."  This is dope! It makes me think that the whole album should have been produced by DJ Premier but since he charges around $100,000 for a song, I can understand why. Hey, Nas made tons of money with the formula of the highly successful "It Was Written" and he sticks to it. If you look at the charts, this album soared to the top. Still, this is an amazing song and shows Nas coming together with the beat perfectly. Both his skills and the production shine.... bright, very bright.

"K-I-S S-I-N-G" is the worst song on the album... It's not completely horrible but it is not too good either. Nas uses R.Kelly's beat from the very new "When A Woman's Fed Up" where R.Kelly is singing "La-la la-la lah! La-la-la.." in the background. It is repeated too much.  That's not even the worst part. The chorus is very bad. Nas uses a the old nursury rhyme and flips it: "...Picture us married you and me  k-i-s-s-i-n-g, I remember the first time girl you and me f-*-c-k-i-n-g..." Who does he think he is, K-Solo? The incredible Letterman? The song is not completely terrible due to the honest approach of his lyrics about relationships. "She been with hoodlums and those who act crazy shit until one day she decided to flip it was nothing I can do about it -Like she the boss and shit started talking this divorcin' shit- I gave her my half rib half my crib half my cake - Half my car half my kid can't get that -tried to swing on a god had to dip that ..." Divorce is painful and Nas has some honest rhymes about marriage and relationships. The chorus and the beat is just bad though. The chorus, as if it weren't bad enough, is repeated many many times... Too many times. I usually skip this song.

"Money Is My Bitch" is another weaker song where Nas sings the chorus. The beat is kind of cool because he has a reggee still-drum melody but the actual pounding of the beat is not hard nor special. The chorus, is silly as Nas sings: "My money, money, money, my bitch is my money - Ohhh money you my honey- Money is my bitch- Ohhh money, money, money, love her cause she keep a nigga rich- Ohhh money you my honey, but I think she got me pussy whipped- My money, money, money, my bitch is my money- Ohhh money you my honey - Money is my bitch - Ohhh money, money, money, Yeah that bitch treat me like a trick -Ohhh money you my honey, she says without her I cant be rich...." As he uses a woman as a metaphor for money, the creativity becomes stale and unoriginal. He could have done better. This is another silly track. Though the beat and melody are nice, the chorus is repeated too much. It's not as bad as the previous song. Of course, he rhymes about his lust for money and how he's completely devoted. "Seeing niggas wit' you I wasn't happy -Wanted to stick them up to get you, heard you calling for daddy- And gladly I take you as my lawfully wedded wife- Never divorce me, I promise to treat you right..." This is really nothing special.

The final track is very tight. "Undying Love" displays Nas's skills as a story teller. He uses vivid images and rhymes a complete story within a tight song. His delivery is very cool too. The song is about how he comes home to find the woman who he is planning to marry in bed with another man. Peep his rhymes: "Bedroom door opened a crack, seen wifey layin with some nigga, mumblin shit, he had one hand on her ass and she was rubbin his dick, toastin wine glasses - Cherry scented candles was lit, couldn't handle the shit- Searchin for words I found none, without a sound- I left the house with a sick smile and took my gun- Now I'm out buggin, whylin, what I'm gon do? -Call my man Horse, meet me outside, I'm comin through..." I do not want to ruin the end but there is a suprise along with some twists. The chorus is only done once and sung by Nas. This time, Nas actually sound good singing the hook. ".... I thought you loved me - I thought you cared for me - I thought you needed me-  Did you believe in me? I thought you loved me - I thought you cared for me - I thought you needed me-  Did you believe in me?.."  The song ends the album on a weird note but in a very cool way. It reminds by of Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready To Die" without the "Who Shot Ya'" track... There should have been more songs like this instead of "K-I-S S-I-N-G". Nas's approach, delivery and story telling techniques shine bright on this making this a hardcore, realistic,  vivid and disturbing song. Dope! Very dope!

"I Am" has many good songs on it but the songs like "K-I-SS-I-N-G" and "Money Is My Bitch" bring the album down. One thing that is destined to make this album seem bad is that you cannot listen to it without comparing it to the classic "Illmatic". The beats are okay. Premier's beats are amazing.. perfect tens but the beats on weaker songs bring it down. Overall, the beats are not very thick and they do not have a steady easy flow like the beats of "Illmatic". There's more of a thumping, drum machine constructed feel to it. There's a head nodding flow to the amazing "Nas Is Like" but that head-nodding flow is missing on many tracks like "Big Things". Most of the beats are full but they are not amazing. DJ Premier's production is amazing but most of the album has weaker production like "K-I-SS-I-N-G" that just has R.Kelly's song looped and nothing else really added but Nas' lyrics. Premier should of done more songs and Nas should have brought in Pete Rock or Large Professor instead of Trackmasters and L.E.S. If Nas was going for a more accessible/commercial feel, he should have kept the beats more like "We Will Survive". The beat is light but very dope and creates a cool atmosphere. Lyrically, Nas is on point on most of the songs. "Nas Is Like" is very creative with his use of similies.   Politics are explored on "I Want To Talk To You" and he shines on "We Will Survive". But "Money Is My Bitch" and "Hate Me Now" are very bland lyrically because they are just about money.. We've all heard it before. Still, Nas can rap and has a good delivery on most of his songs. "Big Things" is the only one he messes up on. "Money Is My Bitch" and "I Want To Talk To You" are a little messed up due to him singing the chorus and "K-I-SS-I-N-G" is very bad.  Nas can be very creative. He displays his creativity and orginality on "Nas Is Like", "Small World" and "Undying Love". Even "Dr. Knockboot" has it's creative moments. The creative downfalls come in on "Money Is My Bitch" where he uses the very overused metaphor and the music to "K-I-SS-I-N-G" is not creative nor innovative One thing very good about Nas's lyrics and creativity is that the songs are diverse in topics and themese. Where one song is about relationships, others are about street life.  The album has a decent flow mixing up the upbeat tracks and the slower tracks. "K-I-SS-I-N-G" puts a dent in the album though along with "Hate Me Now". Nas has the ability to be very hardcore. He displays his hardcore lyrics on "Dr. Knockboot", "Undying Love","Favor For A Favor" and "N.Y. State Of Mind Part II". The horrible "K-I-SS-I-N-G" has some hardcore moments with him spelling out "F-*-C-K-I-N-G" but the commercial feel is deep inside the beat. Overall, the album is not bad. There are some excellent songs. The bad ones do not outweigh the good ones. It's easy to hit the skip button. Of course, this is no Illmatic but Nas shows himself to be a very talented lyricist. Though he should use better producers and work on some of his choruses, Nas shines on many tracks. The man, the artist, Nas.... he is what he says he is, a thug poet..
Beats: 7/10.
Lyrics: 7/10.
Production: 7/10.
Originality/Creativity: 7/10.
Album Flow: 7/10.
Hardcore Rating: 7/10.
[ Overall Rating 7/10 ]