[5] Although largely touted as a theme album with a backstory following the two characters Chicken Little and Hangerhead as they make their way through Uncle Scam’s Federally Funded Welfare & Freakshow to find their mother who was jailed for attempting an illegal abortion, Tricks of the Shade features politically charged lyrics.

It takes aim at such figures as then-US President George H. W. Bush,[6] Christopher Columbus, and Daryl Gates.

Other persons mentioned in songs include Nelson Mandela, Willie Horton, Yusef Hawkins, Minnesota Fats and Leonard Peltier.

[4][3] Tricks of the Shade earned some critical acclaim, including 4 of 5 stars in its review by Rolling Stone,[7] and an A from Robert Christgau.

[1] The Chicago Tribune opined that "the bulk of the collection features some hard-hitting music, freshened by the presence of five distinct rap voices.