Writing in Pitchfork, Nina Corcoran chronicled the timescale between the recording and the release of the album: "Back in 2003, Danger Mouse and Jemini unveiled their debut full-length together, Ghetto Pop Life, to underground fanfare.

[10] Consequence named "Brooklyn Bazquiat" their "Single of the Week" and described the track as "scrappy, braggadocios, and a hell of a lot of fun... with a beat full of bells and whistles and Jemini’s unflinching, swagger-heavy flow".

[11] Sheldon Pearce, talking on NPR podcast All Songs Considered, weighed Born Again against Danger Mouse & Jemini's debut album, finding it "a progression from Ghetto Pop Life in almost every way.

"[12] Writing in Variety, Todd Gilchrist described the album as "the best hip-hop record from 2003 you never heard" and continued "Jemini’s versatility as a lyricist and Danger Mouse’s sturdy, imaginative production gives Born Again a timeless quality that’s not just worthy of its predecessor but places it among the top tier of similar releases from the last several years.

"[13] Jeremy Allen's review for Record Collector comments on the tone of the lyrical content, saying that listeners can hear "...a reticence and a sense of regret that creeps into the lyrics as Jemini anticipates a lengthy stretch for narcotics misdemeanours... tinged with a sense of sadness for all that wasted time.