Fred Thomas from
AllMusic called the album "[the group's] most visceral work, rising to platinum success against the odds and inspiring innovation in the genre with its powerful and distinctively Southern perspective on what rap could be." James Bernard of
Entertainment Weekly gave the album a "B", saying that much of the "album stings, and their raw honesty has driven it onto the Billboard pop Top 40..." The track "
Mind Playing Tricks on Me" has been singled out for praise.
Pitchfork Media ranked the song #45 on its Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s list, with reviewer Tom Breihan writing "This track established the South as a serious force in the music, proving that these Texans could do dark better than anyone on either coast."
XXL ranked the song #14 on its list of the 250 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs from 1990 to 1999.
The Source gave the track its "Best Song" award in 1991. Robert Christgau gave the album a choice cut rating, only liking "Mind Playing Tricks on Me". ==Track listing==