Jay-Z is a Brooklyn rapper who released his first studio album, Reasonable Doubt in 1996. His real anme is Shawn Corey Carter. The Black Album is his eighth studio album and is easily one of his best. He is a legendary modern day artist having sold more than 50 million units worldwide and has presided over Def Jam and Roc-a-Fella record companies. He now co-owns the American NBA basketball team 'New Jersey Nets' and sits atop a multi-million dollar empire.
Many people will have heard of Jay-Z through his global celebrity relationship with singer Beyonce Knowles. The two of them have recently married this year and he has appeared of many of her singles up to date.
Jay-Z is a hip-hop artist but has proved his appeal to the masses. His appearance on Beyonce's track 'Crazy in Love' and Rihnna's song 'Umbrella' have helped the two divas to lng-standing number one chart spots in many countries. He has grossed millions of dollars from his own sales and oversees the careers of several other succesful rappers.
Jay-Z was at the subject of a row with Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, when Jay-Z was announced as the headline act at UK summer festival, Glastonbury. Noel said that a hip-hop act was innapropriate for such a spectacle but Jay-Z won over the crowd with an impromptu, if not a little ropey cover of Oasis' hit single 'Wonderwall.' He went down a storm at Glastonbury and proved many of his doubters wrong, providing an exhilerating and entertaining set for the 115,000 fans gathered. Noel has since said that he didn't mean it in an aggressive sense and is actually a fan of Jay-Z, while Jay-Z appears to have taken it a little more personally.
The CD and casing predictably, predominatly black, with white print on the sleeve and CD, the only break in the darkness of the album's decor. The album is 14 tracks in total and runs to about 50 or so minutes. Fairly good value for money, but typical of a good quality hip-hop album.
The Album
[Track 1 - Intro/Interlude]
The intro clicks its way in slowly with a kind of electric sound effect every so often and a simple drum loop, with a sample of a speech over it although I'm afraid I don't know where it
is taken from.
(Apparently, it is taken from a writing called 'That's How Long' as is performed by 'The Chi-Lites,' a 1970's soul group. But, I have just had to look that up.)
The intro fades out quite quickly, lasting less than 90 seconds. Nothing special at all though, but only an intro so i'm not going to give it a mark out of ten.
[Track 2 - December 4th]
A grand opening after the tame intro, the almost operatic opening. This score is accompanied by a small piece from his mother, with a little bit about Shawn (Jay-Z) which actually recurs before each chorus. The drumbeat switches up an Jay-Z raps assertively and confidently with impeccable delivery, witha very frank verse or two towards his mother. The song offers an insight into Jay-Z's early youth and family life, explaining how he got into hip-hop and his current career. Top quality has become something that is expected of Jay-Z's vocal delivery and he ensures this is the case on this song. Not a conventional style of song, but very funky and credible.
-8/10-
[Track 3 - What More Can I Say]
The track opens with a quote from epic movie 'Gladiator' with Russell Crowe as 'Maximus' questioning a full ampitheatre with "Are you not entertained?... Is this not why you here...?"
Jay-Z then appears over the soundbite an the track soon kicks in, the drums are fairly subdued but still sneak up here and there. The sample is soulful and Jay-Z raps well again, if with a little more cursing. This may be a problem for some people. But the cultural difference and influences have to be taken into account with this type of music. It's all relative The song is a little slower flowing and while it is still a good hip-hop track, it doesn't quite reach the highest level Jay-Z can reach.
-6.5/10-
[Track 4 - Encore]
This track is one of the album's main singles and was remixed with Linkin Park also, although that was a somewhat questionable decision in some people's view. (Including my own.) The song is led by a nice brass introduction which remains throughout the track. The drums are subtle and the verses are stylish and on-beat. The best so far. The track should appeal to alot of people... easy on the ear, you shouldn't find any headaches here, unless you turn the volume to 11, I suppose. I like it a lot. Again Jay-Z insists on droppin a few curses so if it's a problem then you shouldn't really listen to this album.
The album finsihes with an MC leading a crowd into calling Jay-Z back for an Encore, hence the title. he comes back to drop a final verse before the track is trickled out by a piano and the sound of heavy raindrops.
[Track 5 - Change Clothes]
A piano, a triangle or a cow bell and an elecetro synth beat keep this beat in the background and Jay-Z leads the show here although his verses flow well as usual, it is a little lacking in depth to be truthful. The chorus of 'Change Clothes' by a soulful choir is the highlight of the track really. it doesn't expand much from here so not one of the best songs. Not poor, but 3 stars at best.
-6./10-
[Track 6 - Dirt Off Your Shoulder]
A dirty beat to brush the dirt off with, the drums are heavier, Jay's verse is much stronger and sicker. Confident lyrics and a bit of a bling chorus but I don't mind that one bit. I'm struggling to describe this song really but it sounds good, it's not a soft one but if your fter something powerful but a little dirty then you found your track. A great rap song.
-9/10-
[Track 7 - Threat]
The track starts with an artist known as 'cedric the Entertainer' literally making threats and jay-Z keeps up the yrend when he comes in. Not eactly friendly concept, but he's not talking to you, so just listen and appreciate it. There is violin looped in the background with thumping drums and a little piano/keyboard accompaniement. The verses flow spectacularly, Jay-Z at his best again here. The track is a little angry but it doesn't come accross as aggravated, Jay maintains a cool style throughout, only ouncuated by Cedric's increasingly ridiculous threats. Won't be for all, but hip-hop heads should get on to this one.
-7.5/10-
[Track 8 - Moment Of Clarity]
This song is slightly murkier than the rest si far. Slightly darker and difficult lyrics. The tune is sharper and violins again, but not insuch a harmonious way this time around. The drums are lingering but prominent and the overall feeling is a little more serious. Still, the lyrics are an interesting insight to an extent but offer nothing extraordianary. The chorus is satisfactory but this song once again, would be good for most rappers, but is simply the par for jay-Z.
-5.5/10-
[Track 9 - 99 Problems]
A heavy beat with pounding drums striking up a bouncing rhythm with a slick and speedy flow. The lyrics in the first verse are a few of Jay-Z's dilemmas and hates, of which, none are because his girl. The second verse is more of a story where he is stopped for speeding whilst with his son by a hostile police officer and illustrates a little exchange of banter between the two of them. I like this song and it appears to be one of the more popular tracks on the album.
Some nice lines in this song 'Rap critics who say he's money, cash hoes, I'm from the hood stupid, what type of facts are those.' A little humour can't hurt can it.
A kind of interlude song where Jay-Z 'reintroduces' himself as 'HOV, H to the O.V....' with verses which are focused on himself for a change... suppose that's rapping for you most of the time. The start of this track is very well-known now and has become somewhat of a trademark of the album.
-7/10-
[Track 11 - Justify My Thug]
This song has kind of cushioned drum beat on it with a slightly aggressive verse where Jay-Z, now HOV, attempts to Justify his style and his way of business and pleasure. This song is a little dull in the long run, the beat a bit repetetive. Once again, still bearable but not as remarkable as some other tracks. This beat was made by Kanye West, one of Jay-Z's many affiliated artists.
-6/10-
[Track 12 - Lucifer]
A cool, and classy piano score opens the song with a nicely used sample from 'Max Romeo' chorusing the tile of the song every so often when it is needed. The beat is clinical and the bass is subtle yet pivotal to its style. The song has enough soul to bring it to fore against some of the album's more average tracks and this makes it one of the frontrunners on the album. Decent quality lyrics but with the occasional tendency to wander into the generic.
-8/10-
[Track 13 - Allure]
The track features vocals 'Pharrell Williams' and was produced by 'The Neptunes.' The chorus is basically Jay-Z 'getting high off of life' word for word. The verses are bit more broken and less comlex than normal. Not a very good track really. The beat is smooth and slow but the overall feeling if the track is a little discontented.
-5/10-
[Track 14 - My First Song]
The beat is very seventies and a tuneful guitar plays over a bass drum beat withJay-Z picking up the pace of his lyrical flow for the last number. I really like the guitar sample and the beat with the little side samples and additions with Jay's polished flow give a certain je ne sais quois to end the album on. Not exactly operatic, the song is still hip-hop to its core but underlines the album's general consistency. A nice, strong ending to the CD.
-8.5/10-
Overall
This album is full of great examples of good quality hip-hop and shouldn't be shunned because of its genre. Some songs will appeal to the more liberal/open minded listener and even if it's not to your taste, you should be able to appreciate the skills on display from Jay. Even the lower scoring sings are good, but tend to get a little boring towards the end, but the production on the album is top-notch. Jay-Z is a powerful presence and earns his reputation as a key pillar in the Hip-Hop and Urban music industry. A few tracks, namely 'Encore', '99 Problems,' 'Lucifer' and 'My First Song' are stand-out tracks of the the album and would be the ones I would recommend as a solitary listen but overall the album has a nice vibe. I would say it is essential for Jay-Z fans, or anyone who is a fan of such a genre of music to own this release.
The content isn't suitable for all and at times Jay-Z references violence, drugs, sex and various other taboos typical of modern music, especially hip hop. Despite this negative aspect the album should satisfy most as it stands up against the majority of releases you will find.
Unless Hip-Hop leaves you reaching for the paracetamol, the urban dictionary or the stereo's off button, then you should give this a try, not perfect but definitely a fine example of its genre.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Surprisingly Great Lyrics, Some Production, Introspective Songs, No Guest Appearances Disadvantages: Overhyped, Awful Production, Commercialism, Overrated Lyricism, Too Much Bragging, Filler
Advantages: Surprisingly Great Lyrics, Some Production, Introspective Songs, No Guest Appearances Disadvantages: Overhyped, Awful Production, Commercialism, Overrated Lyricism, Too Much Bragging, Filler
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