The double album idea was first bought to fruition by the late Tupac Shakur, and I still believe that (and maybe Biggie's) double album were the finest of their kind. Kurupt even featured on that album, "All Eyez On Me", which went on to multi-platinum sales. The secret was that 'Pac was having fun doing whatever the f*** he wanted, while also collaborating with many heavyweights from all over. Listening to this album, though, it is obvious that each disc is pandering to each of the coasts, but surprisingly doesn't contain many big names to take the weight off the artist. The West Coast disc is the more consistent of the two, typical jeep beats, and the usual DPG subject matter. Battlecat is harnessed, producing "We Can Freak It", which is perfect for ridin' with; the laid-back production, the vocoder, and the singing elements add up to be the first single. Elsewhere, there is the typical Daz productions of "Fresh" and "C-Walk", a big-up to his former affiliation. He is more assured with his homeboy on these tracks, but a track such as "This One's For U" uses a similar groove to Wyclef's "To All The Girls" that's going round as a single right now, which just makes it sound unoriginal. Dr. Dre crops up on the late addition "Ask Yourself A Question" which is pretty is laid back. The assured tones of the good Doctor blend well with the Kingpin, a hark back to past glories. Even the EPMD line ain't spoiling it. Well, not too much. But that just highlights some of the unoriginality found throughout the album, both West and East.

The East Coast disc isn't as good, and seems to be more complacent, and I wonder why DJ Premier wasn't drafted in. After trading blows with Guru and the Lady of Rage on the "You Know My Steez" remix, I was expecting a hook-up here. Highlights include the Buckshot featured, Easy Mo Bee produced "Light Shit Up" and "Gimmewhutchagot". Noreaga drops by with Puff's right hand man Stevie J on the remix for "We Can Freak It (Out)" to toughen it up. It's good and grows on you after a while, Nore's personality, as ever, shining through and Kurupt holding it down with feeling. "No Feelings" involves a nice piano loop flipped into a tough beat as the rappers pass the mic around. The Wu-affiliates Deadly Venoms feature on "It's Time" over a simple drum beat, and another simple piano loop that sounds ok but just doesn't pack its punches.