I wouldn't call the raps "subpar" but.. yeah.. they were not lyrically strong on the World Ultimate LP. At the time, I saw them as a heavily Tribe-influenced West Coast group which aimed more for a certain vibe in their music.

Yusuf Afloat (R.I.P.) was actually pretty dope with the rhymes. Sach kinda just said shit that sounded fresh.. fast forward to his solo career, and Sach greatly improved as far as lyricism is concerned. I haven't heard his first solo yet, but someone else mentioned "5th Ave".. This was actually one of my personal favorite releases of 2004.. Production, flows, lyrics, and concepts.. all on point.

"Voice of Hip Hop"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdG3EVbjQfc

"Go Just to Stop"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrTxJQFrzh0

"Knowledge Over Money"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_WRjJb9wqY&feature=related

"Jamila"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OwKHWgJ2ks&feature=related