Britt Robson wrote about Mobb Deep in August 2004 for The Washington Post:

"Amerikaz Nightmare" represents a big gamble for Mobb Deep. Within the tenaciously insular realm of hard-core gangsta rap fans, for whom "keepin' it real" has never been a cliche so much as a cut-throat code of honor, the duo from New York's Queensbridge projects has been earning loyalty and respect ever since "Shook Ones Part II" became a gangsta anthem more than a decade ago. But on "Nightmare," the group's debut for the powerhouse Jive label, Mobb Deep courts heresy -- and greater crossover recognition -- with tracks produced by party-crunk kingpin Lil Jon and thug-for-hire maestro Kanye West, plus a remix of the already successful club single "Got It Twisted" featuring the signature quicksilver facility of chart-topping rapper Twista. A tune with Nelly, a singsong Satan to many of Mobb Deep's core constituency, was dropped from the disc at the last minute.

For what it's worth, the contributions from Lil Jon and Twista are formulaic appendages while the West track "Throw Your Hands (in the Air)" is an inspired meld of symphonic grace and snarling sentiment. But in a genre where "grimy" is the most complimentary adjective, the high-profile guests collectively connote a shiny career move for Mobb Deep. More power to them.

And the duo's hard-core brethren should note that there's vintage Mobb Deep grime aplenty throughout "Nightmare." The title song, "When U Hear The," "On the Run" and "We Up" all feature coldblooded taunts and threats that are as unmistakably heartfelt as they are inventive.

For good measure, the two songs before the closing "Got It Twisted Remix" explain the psychological toll and intimate roots of gangsta nihilism, describing sweat-soaked nightmares of guns that won't shoot and childhood basketball trophies that gather dust on the shelves. Putting shiny ambitions and sturdy street credibility into context, they rap, "Ching ching / I got bling / but some things never change."