User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Quality Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

  • Summary: Working with a variety of producers, the acclaimed New York rapper returns with his second album. Mos Def, Bilal and members of the Roots are among the guests.

Top Track

Get By
(Talib) Yeah. my Lord. yeah (Verse 1: Talib) We sell crack to our own out the back of our homes We smell the musk at the dusk in the crack of the... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. While Quality may lack the basement charms of [departed producer DJ Hi-]Tek's finest, it more than compensates by employing a funkier and more upbeat sound palate to further draw out the nuances of what is already one of the most rounded and complete rap personas in the game.
  2. For once, the production-by-committee approach works, strengthening Kweli's vision rather than diluting it.
  3. Blender
    80
    Quality is full of witticisms, but it draws equal strength from sonic diversity. [#12, p.145]
  4. 80
    He's proven that he can do some beautiful long players, but this just sounds like someone else's greatest hits. Which isn't to say it's not one of the top 20 albums of 2002, because it is. But it shoulda been Top Ten.
  5. What makes Quality worth it is exactly what dragged down Train of Thought -- the slow and syrupy songs.
  6. Uncut
    70
    It's lyrically potent stuff. [Feb 2003, p.76]
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    Sonically, his second solo effort is dry and unimaginative. [Feb 2003, p.97]

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. stevej
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    kweli is a champion of true hip hop, many try all fail to emulate his signature rhymes which deal with everything from politics to love. kweli is a champion of true hip hop, many try all fail to emulate his signature rhymes which deal with everything from politics to love. Quality, word to your mother. Expand
  2. EliasD
    Jul 6, 2005
    10
    This is one of the best albums ever!!!!!!
  3. JoeS
    Sep 25, 2005
    10
    Is undoubtedly one of the best hip hop albums recently jus as kweli conveys such powerful meaning E! online needs to sort it out and i have Is undoubtedly one of the best hip hop albums recently jus as kweli conveys such powerful meaning E! online needs to sort it out and i have lost all respect i once had for Q Expand
  4. RishiI
    Mar 24, 2004
    9
    This album is extremely potent. It manages to deliver good production by Kanye, DJ Quick..etc and thought provoking lyrics. One of the top This album is extremely potent. It manages to deliver good production by Kanye, DJ Quick..etc and thought provoking lyrics. One of the top albums of the year. Expand
  5. Three8ight6ix
    Jun 11, 2004
    9
    Kweli's sophmore solo LP kills the competition with an entertaining lesson in rhyme, but still doesn't compare to his duo albums. Kweli's sophmore solo LP kills the competition with an entertaining lesson in rhyme, but still doesn't compare to his duo albums. Maybe he and Kanye could crank out a release for the summer together Expand
  6. Chronwell
    May 26, 2004
    9
    This album is so cold. Beats by Kanye and Jay Dee with no Hi Tek give it a glossier sound but its still hard like a criminal check out the This album is so cold. Beats by Kanye and Jay Dee with no Hi Tek give it a glossier sound but its still hard like a criminal check out the highlights Gun Music, Get By, and Good To You. Expand
  7. [Anonymous]
    Dec 26, 2002
    8
    great album

See all 12 User Reviews