The Record Crate

*NOTE: As this is effectively Part 2 of my opinion on Hova’s new music, it’s in your best interest to read Part 1 here.*

Forgive me Father for I have sinned. It’s been a lifetime since my last blog post and I lied in one of my previous posts. Twice. I said I’d buy Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint 3” when it came out. TO be perfectly honest, I have no idea when it comes out. I ripped it. Second, I titled my last post “They Say They Never Really Miss You ‘Til You’re Dead and You’re Gone.” I thought this was the truth, but it’s a lie. Jay-Z is undoubtedly alive (I mean really … the dude’s no Tupac) and I miss him. I miss the real Jay-Z. The rapper who never had anything to prove, just a bunch of stuff to rub in other people’s faces. I miss the Jay-Z who never needed to try to make solid tracks. If anyone has seen this man, please call me. I’d love to hear from him.

I eagerly anticipated this album, mostly to hear the song with MGMT on it, though it’s nowhere to be found as far as I can tell. The disc opens up with a quintessential Jay-Z song. The music is powerful and sets the tone for the whole record. Accompanied by Empire of the Sun’s Luke Steel, the chorus begs the question “Who Cares What They Say?” It also contains variations on a declarative statement that rings to the tune of “I used to run the rap game, now I run the map.” Shut up Jay-Z. Used to is the key phrase. Right now, you don’t run anything. On the same album you trash talk autotune, you use it-albeit for only a second, on one of your other songs. You might be trying to prove a point here, but I wouldn’t use the same methods you so eagerly spent 4 minutes and 15 seconds ripping apart. That’s what some people might call “biting the hand that feeds you.”

I feel like there’s an over use of cameo artists on this album as well. Almost like Jay couldn’t think up enough rap game on his own, so he had to borrow from people like Young Jeezy (respectable), Rihanna and Kanye (starting to lose it) and Swizz Beatz … wait-who? Since when has this guy ever had anything to say? He belongs on someone’s album, just not this one. More so, these cameos spend more time spitting on some songs than Jay-Z does, for example Jeezy on “Real As It Gets.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great song I just think Jeezy should have put this on his record, rather than the other way around.

Using the “comment sandwich” method here I’d like to point out what is, in my opinion, the best song on the album. Featuring Alicia Keys with a super powerful hook, “Empire State of Mind” delivers an amazing homage to the NYC. I can’t get enough of the line “These streets will make you feel brand new/The lights will inspire you.” This track makes the whole deal worth listening to from front to back at least once. I love this song. It’s got a place on at least a couple hundred party playlists for the fall and winter.

The last track “Young Forever” is almost like Hov’s looking back on his tenure as a rap big-wig wanting to stay “Forever Young.” I like the use of the song “Forever Young” in this track. It’s cool because the song is not so much sampled as it is reworked. All of the synth parts (with the exception of a couple super-delayed noted before the vocals kick in) are re-done and the vocals are lent by Mr. Hudson. Well done.

The way this album is put together reminds me of how records in the 1950s and 1960s were just another excuse to re-release singles originally put out on 45’s. Don’t get me wrong; This album has a bunch of singles-all of which I can imagine will do infinitely well. It’s just that the filler tracks are nothing more to me than songs that were half-assed. I expected more from you Jay. You haven’t lost me as a fan yet, but I strongly encourage people to use your god-given right to illegally download this album instead of buying it.

I’m not mad…I’m just very disappointed