Following the success of his debut album, Symphony in Effect, Maestro took it upon himself to be a role model, by delivering a more professional and socially conscious effort on his second release.[2] In particular, the songs "Nothin' at All", "Poetry Is Black", "Watchin' Zeros Grow", and "The Black Tie Affair" showcase his conscious lyrics. Maestro used "Nothin' at All" as a way to acknowledge the achievements of prominent Black Canadians, mentioning Egerton Marcus, Ben Johnson, Lennox Lewis, Oscar Peterson, and Salome Bey in the third verse, while criticizing "race scientist" Jean Philippe Rushton in the first verse.[2]
In Canada, the album was certified gold with over 50,000 copies sold.[2] The Toronto Star noted the "strong range of musical styles that includes ska and soul, as well as the Maestro's best lyrics yet."[5] The Calgary Herald opined that Wes's "main flaw is letting his mouth wander aimlessly when his artistic inspiration fails."[3]
RapReviews gave it an 8/10 rating, calling Maestro "conscious in the very sense of the word," also stating "the result is an album that reflects both the era's climate and the rapper's personal situation." The song "Nothin' at All" was praised for being "both accusatory and motivational."[2]
