So it's interesting to me that straight away I can hear a definite progression on this one. The balance between the vocals and the backing track seems to have been evened out a little, and it feels more like something Prince might produce than a spoken word rant over a drum beat. I'm not an expert on samples, but I'm sure there's a lift, or at least a nod, to Billie Jean on Holler If Ya' Hear Me. It definitely feels more like a song than a shouting match, which is good.

I'm not 100% sure where this places in terms of rap/hip hop history. 1993 feels early to me... but then it's well after NWA and De La Soul. And well before Eminem. Wu Tang Clan and Cypress Hill are the references I guess. It seems more bass heavy, which I like - less shrill.

Something 2 Die 4 - implicit Prince-isms aside, the N-word is not getting less jarring despite any number of listens. Last Wordz is the first one that strikes me as being a straightforwardly violent song though? In terms of the gunshot samples etc. It's difficult to know how much of it is for effect of course. But he did end up being shot, so there's that!

It definitely feels much more ground-breaking in terms of the samples - where the debut sounded almost skeletal, this has some really groovy moments (assuming you can internally drown out the swearing). It's easy to see why Keep Ya Head Up would have been a break-out hit. That guitar hook is crazy catchy, and complements the looping bass perfectly.

"They got money for wars but not for the poor." A tale as old as time.

Am I enjoying this? I can't be sure. But it's certainly an experience...