AMG Review of Understanding [Clean]

Jason Birchmeier
All Music Guide

For his second album, Jay-Z protégé Memphis Bleek makes small strides forward from his debut album, Coming of Age. Yet like Coming of Age, the tracks on The Understanding may be a level above those of most rap but still aren't in the same category as those of Jay-Z or the other superstars from New York's hardcore school of rap: Nas, Ja Rule, Mobb Deep, and Raekwon. [Understanding was also released in a "clean" edition, containing no profanities or vulgarities.]