The Album sold 147,000 copies in the debut week and has sold over 925,000 copies in the United States and was certified gold in Canada. It also charted in other countries, such as Canada, France and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and also topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The Album received mixed reviews from the music critics, who criticized its mainstream pop-oriented sound rather than the members' previous styles. Dre, Chris 'The Glove' Taylor and Trackmasters (as Poke and Tone), and feature guest vocals from Pretty Boy, Wizard, Canibus, Dawn Robinson, Noreaga and Half-a-Mill. The songs on the album were mainly produced by Dr. The Album is a concept album that revolves around the themes of mafia and ' gangsta' lifestyle. He was replaced by Nature prior to recording of the album. However, Cormega later left the group due to artistic differences between him and Nas, as well as contract disagreements with Stoute. The original line-up included Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown and Cormega who were all featured on the song 'Affirmative Action' from Nas' album It Was Written (1996). Dre and Trackmasters, who came up with the idea of forming a hip hop supergroup.

The project was created by rapper Nas, his manager Steve Stoute and producers Dr. It was released on Octoby Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The Album is the only studio album by American hip hop group The Firm.

Dr dre albums tracklist