I remember when I heard Veterans Day....it kinda broke my heart cuz Kane was my dude and for him to just get swept under the rug while the new guys like DMX , Pun and master P were shining....it wasnt a good look because he was officially has been status. One thing that stood out on that album is that unlike G Rap, Master Ace and Rakim....Kane's style didnt progress. When Rakim came back in 97 he didnt sound like Rakim 92...he sounded up dated. Kane still sounded like he was in Taste Of Chocolate...So he was reduced to sounding dated. Nas, Canibus and a few Wu members made that old kane style sound ancient. He still sounds like early 90's Kane but thats ok....I'm cool with that.
I wish Kane sounded like Taste of Chocolate on Veterans Day. He was more It's A Job For on Veterans Day to me. Taste of Chocolate spittin Kane will NEVER sound dated. That was Kane at his peak spittin. Taste just had too many questionable songs on the album. Even Prince of Darkness, Kane was still on that level on the mic.
As for Rakim he streamlined his style and flow in 97 (still was great) but 1990 was his peak with style/rhyme scheme. I didn't see that progression in style/rhyme scheme or even flow but progression as an artist...yeah.
G Rap hit his peak and perfected his style/lyrics on 4,5,6 and con't that on Roots of Evil.
Ace definitely progressed in every way. He became consistent.
Kane has now mastered the Veterans Day and after style. He's been rappin like this for 15 yrs now. From the Big L joint and ALC joint to 00s Preemo joint to this. I wish Kane/Rakim/G Rap all rapped like they did in their prime but that's asking a lot. All three are still spittin at a high level so I'll take it too!!