Upon its release, "Liquid Swords" peaked at number nine on the "Billboard" 200 chart, and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album platinum in sales nearly 20 years after its release. Upon its initial release, "Liquid Swords" received critical acclaim for its complex lyricism and hypnotic musical style. Over the years, its recognition has grown, with a number of famous publishers proclaiming it as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. In 2007, the "Chicago Tribune" cited it as "one of the most substantial lyrical journeys in hip-hop history".