The Listening introduced the world to the blend of 9th Wonder's soulful and chunky beats—which the producer teased out of budget software—and MCs Phonte and Big Pooh's lyrics, which flip between book-smart and cocky. The melancholic "Speed" skillfully weaves together references to Dred Scott, Brand Nubian, and Baryshnikov over an emotion-drenched beat, while the bluegrass-sampling "The Way You Do It" has the group reflecting on early days spent paying dues.