It’s been a rocky road being a closet Jay-Z fan for the last eight years. Yes, beyond my indie poseur attitude lays a discriminatory love for what Sean Carter has to say. Even from the beginning when his ultimate osmosis into hip-hop occurred with the release of Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z has become an Icon in the hip-hop culture. And putting aside any melodramatic off camera shenanigans, Jay-Z can rock the mic. And on his newest album, titled The Black Album, he completely reaffirms the listener that hip-hop is his game, and no one can take it away from him.
The Black Album may not compare to some of his other works in the past (especially the near-flawless The Blueprint, which is perhaps his crowning achievement), but what this record bellows is a sense of adaptability. Jay-Z has always remained completely fresh, incorporating new ways of self-preservation. Between you and I, Jay-Z’s subject matter has not changed tremendously from the past, but his execution has become more polished and accomplished. And if you don’t believe me, answer this question: “How many hip-hop emcees can actually pull off a double record and impress the mainstream and the underground culture alike?” Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 2 was a clear indication that his reign as one of the best emcees was clinched. And to follow this accomplishment, he embarks on a project that indirectly concludes that everyone was correct in his or her assumptions. It’s hard to follow up a record that has received critical acclaim, but Jay-Z not only follows The Blueprint with the successful suicide-attempt-gone-satisfactory of The Blueprint 2, but also repeats the endeavor twice with the release of his newest record.
The Black Album has some real jams to take you off your feet. Songs like “Dirt of Your Shoulder” and “Justify My Thug” get your head bouncing and your mind in absolute attention. The music is rich in samples and bass, creating a blend of mature and accomplished mixology. The production is extremely strong, pulling famous names like The Neptunes and Timbaland into the mix. And with the strength of a gifted emcee, the complete package is another musical achievement from possibly the most successful emcee in modern day hip-hop.
Allow him to introduce himself, his name is H-O-V-A.
1. Interlude
2. December 4th
3. What more can I say
4. Encore
5. Change clothes
6. Dirt of your shoulder
7. Threat
8. Moment of clarity
9. 99 problems
10. Public service announcement (interlude)
11. Justify my thug
12. Lucifer
13. Allure
14. My 1st song