This seems to be the real question. Most will agree it is a great album. But when you say "classic" it brings out the fight in people.. How will it be remembered 5 years from now? We don't know yet.

For me, 1 year later, it is my second favourite Nas album and I think of it as his album where he finally satisfied the large majority of hip hop fans. Even Nas haters found it hard to hate. I think it will go down in history as his "return to form" album and it MAY also be remembered for being an album that didn't fit the existing mold of present day hip hop but still garnered great reviews and was well received by fans. If nothing else, it definitely re-enforced his position as one of, if not the best to ever do it. He's back on top right now as far as the respect he's getting for this album.