sign. While the queen is the symbol." Composition and sound {{Quote box|| quote ="It's true that there isn't as much hardcore rap on this album as I've done in the past, but it was more like a freedom of expression-type thing. This new one has a woman's touch to it, I suppose, my little trademarks; so it's more my album than the producer's."|width=30%|source=–Queen Latifah discussing her approach to the overall sound for ''Nature of a Sista.|style=padding:8px;}} Nature of a Sista is a hip hop album that consists of twelve tracks; the instrumentals, provided by live musicians, combine elements of reggae and jazz along with "a raucous African beat" and "melodic choruses". A writer from The Boombox described the album as incorporating R&B and house music, and Spin's Dimitri Ehrlich said it features a new jack swing sound through its sharper focus on vocal harmonies and electronic drums. A writer from People magazine noted that Nature of a Sista focuses on issues relating to "self-assurance, humor and intelligence"; Latifah encourages women to respect themselves rather than place value in sex or money. Some songs, such as "That's the Way We Flow" focus on gender politics, while others detail issues relating to love, such as "Give Me Your Love" and "How Do I Love Thee". The former is an R&B track that revolves around the effects of racism on a romantic relationship. Latifah does not use obscene language on the album. She chose to sing more on this album as a way of pursuing her personal interests, and that it was not because of potential financial gains. She said: "It was about making a record I like. I have to make what feels right to me." Comparing Nature of a Sista with Latifah's previous studio albums, Marisa Fox wrote: "She’s toned down the sass and become more sensual and sophisticated. Here’s one woman who rejects sexism, but not sex." Songs Fox described the opening track, ”Latifah’s Had It Up to Here”, as Latifah's way of "still keep[ing] the brothers in check"; lyrics include: "But I'm wise, civilized / Growing higher / Judgment's from the queen / Punish is the fire / I’m here to make these fools out of liars / You must learn, step and respect the sire / Face the fire”. On the second song "Nuff of the Ruff Stuff", Latifah raps about gender politics using the lines: "As a