People tend to overanalyze hip-hop albums, but it's quite simple: the beats work or they don't. Most of the beats on Forever work, but some definitely don't, hence the problem with the overall album. I haven't listened to Tupac's double lp in a while, but I listened to Biggie's double lp, and I was impressed with the beats. Even RZA gave him a dope ass beat.

Anyway, it's all about the beats. Always has been, always will be. The Wu never disappoints lyrically, just beat-wise