4:44 Album - *JAY-Z* (06/30/17).
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To me an album gotta be out at least 5, 10 years before I can consider it classic.
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To be fair a lot of albums get called classic for so many variables that don't have anything to do with the actual music.
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Breezy_Kilroy wrote: »To be fair a lot of albums get called classic for so many variables that don't have anything to do with the actual music.
Like what?
? wasn't out there calling Ready to Die a classic because Biggie was fat but still getting ? . -
To me an album gotta be out at least 5, 10 years before I can consider it classic.
Fans of them ? you posted calling they music classic man and tjey only putting out mixtapes -
The Lonious Monk wrote: »KnowReasonForPeace wrote: »The Lonious Monk wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »The Lonious Monk wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »? is the only rapper to have a 5 mic album in 3 different decades
Sure, if you're very liberal with the mics I guess. IMO, his only 5 mic albums are RD and Blueprint. And I wouldn't even give Blueprint 5 mics. I just wouldn't argue with someone if they did.
Reasons why I'll call this album a classic
1. Timing
2. Subject matter
3. Growth
4. Lyrics actually carrying the song and not the beat
5. No promo singles
6. No rap features
7. Beat selection
8. Final album
9. General positive reception
10. Flow
11. Unexpected
Can't think of more right now. But honestly ain't nobody as old as Jay dropping anything close to this. Y'all always saying old rappers need to ? and nobody wants to hear them.
Dude is almost 50 years old and flowing his ass off. Not only does the album inspire younger rappers to get on their ? .
It might also inspire the older rappers to get back on their ? . Hip hop is not a young man's game, this proves that.
The majority of that list isn't even really music oriented though. 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 11 really shouldn't even be considered when calling an album a classic. I mean if it's a fan classic or a personal classic to you for those reasons, that's cool. But come on, if we are objectively rating the music then only 2, 4, 7, and 10 from your list really matter. 3 is iffy, but I can see that being a reasonable consideration. And 4 probably isn't even true since a lot of the people in here calling the album a classic are doing so because of the production.StoneColdMikey wrote: »Don't understand why it's an issue why some people feel insecure album is very great . Y'all not even discussing why y'all don't agree. Y'all just discussing the issues some of y'all have with people feeling this way with this album
Because I really don't have a problem with the album. I think it's a good album, just not a classic. I mean @Busta Carmichael is basically calling the album a classic because of a bunch of stuff that have nothing to do with the music. What does Jay being 50 have to do with anything? Since when was that a consideration for rating an album? To me Jay fans are the least objective fans period. It's like you go out of your way to overrate his stuff. But I guess it ain't really your fault. Jay is a great rapper, but he's a supreme self promoter and marketer, so it's not surprising people buy the hype.
? knew nothing about how this album would sound. If ? really feel this album is a classic why is that so hard to believe. Everyome expected another mchg and if you look at tje first replies whem this album dropped, everyone was surprised at the direction and sound of this album. I understand seeimg the reactions may come off as hyping it up alot, but this album is that good alot of people and the few that dont like the album or feel its over hyped obviously take issue with this album beimg praised like it is
I don't have a problem with the album being praised. But it's my opinion it's being overrated. I'm a rap fan. I listened to the album and I like it. I just don't think it's classic, and I don't really see how anyone else, objectively speaking, could call it a classic. Then I come on here and see a bunch of people calling it classic and then justifying that claim with a bunch of reasons that don't have anything to do with the music. So he's making grown man music. That's cool, but him making a good grown man album doesn't make it a classic automatically. It just seems like some of you are calling it Classic because you're surprised at how good it is and because it might be Jay's last album (again).
Speaking for myself, i think its a classic cause its that great of an album. Its just ? in here genuinely upset and trolling cause of how much people enjoying and rate the album. -
The Lonious Monk wrote: »Breezy_Kilroy wrote: »To be fair a lot of albums get called classic for so many variables that don't have anything to do with the actual music.
Like what?
? wasn't out there calling Ready to Die a classic because Biggie was fat but still getting ? .
They lowkey called Eminems classic because he was white and could spit.
Completely ignoring rappers that rapped exactly like him. -
Dehaven is all on IG riding Hov nh...
Weird. -
Busta Carmichael wrote: »Dehaven is all on IG riding Hov nh...
Weird.
Vibing to a snake ? music huh? -
KnowReasonForPeace wrote: »
Speaking for myself, i think its a classic cause its that great of an album. Its just ? in here genuinely upset and trolling cause of how much people enjoying and rate the album.
I'm not upset that people like the album. I like it too. I just think people are overrating it. Me not thinking it is a classic shouldn't be trolling any more than you think it is. I'm sure there are legitimate Jay haters that are mad he released a good product. That's not me. I'd give the album 4/5 and I'm not a Jay fan. That's higher than what I'd give Boomiverse (3.5) and I'm a legitimate Big Boi fan, so I'm not just hating.
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Damn Jay came with that fire. I honestly can say this is Jay's best album since The Black Album
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The Lonious Monk wrote: »KnowReasonForPeace wrote: »
Speaking for myself, i think its a classic cause its that great of an album. Its just ? in here genuinely upset and trolling cause of how much people enjoying and rate the album.
I'm not upset that people like the album. I like it too. I just think people are overrating it. Me not thinking it is a classic shouldn't be trolling any more than you think it is. I'm sure there are legitimate Jay haters that are mad he released a good product. That's not me. I'd give the album 4/5 and I'm not a Jay fan. That's higher than what I'd give Boomiverse (3.5) and I'm a legitimate Big Boi fan, so I'm not just hating.
Im not even talking about you. You the only person who disagrees with the classic stamp thats not trolling and actually have a valid argument -
Busta Carmichael wrote: »Dehaven is all on IG riding Hov nh...
Weird.
Link
IC won't link captions but u can see them for yourselves.
Bunch of other photos too -
Busta Carmichael wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »Dehaven is all on IG riding Hov nh...
Weird.
Link
IC won't link captions but u can see them for yourselves.
Bunch of other photos too
But why give props to a snake ? ? ? hurt cause they not in emory or tyty spot. -
The Lonious Monk wrote: »Breezy_Kilroy wrote: »To be fair a lot of albums get called classic for so many variables that don't have anything to do with the actual music.
Like what?
? wasn't out there calling Ready to Die a classic because Biggie was fat but still getting ? .
You joking but that's damn near how it is at times
"I remember being in the lunch line and "In Da Club" came on over the PA and the principal was dancing. Our principal didn't like anything. Hell yeah it's a classic"
"Pac went number one in jail"
? like this is said on here all the time.
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This ? really put the 444 in his name
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Busta Carmichael wrote: »? is the only rapper to have a 5 mic album in 3 different decades
Common, Killah Priest, Nas -
White folks claiming anti semitism
How did they get that out of what was said? -
KnowReasonForPeace wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »Dehaven is all on IG riding Hov nh...
Weird.
Link
IC won't link captions but u can see them for yourselves.
Bunch of other photos too
But why give props to a snake ? ? ? hurt cause they not in emory or tyty spot.
Time heals all wounds. I think he just showing support. -
My album review.......
It’s amazing how the world can still be taken by surprise, even in 2017. One month ago, while the hip-hop community was still basking in Kendrick Lamar’s ascension to the throne with DAMN, we had no idea what Sean Carter - aka Jay-Z - was up to in his somewhat-second-retirement phase. As least that’s what it looked like. Then, out of nowhere, we got messages popping up: 4:44 was coming. It took hip-hop about two weeks to even figure out that Jay-Z was dropping something that would once again be exclusive to Tidal, his music streaming service. Based off what we’ve heard from his last album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, most of expected Hov to give us something nice to nod to, bounce to, brag to, and pounce all over the new wave of trap rappers with. What we got was a beautiful flip of the script.
The 13th offering to hip-hop by one of its most acclaimed emcees and artists, 4:44, Jay-Z brings us a look into his life like never-before-seen or heard of. We’ve normally been used to Jay Hova as the ultimate businessman in hip-hop: from kingpin on the block, to rising to hip-hop‘s crown after the passing of his friend and mentor The Notorious B.I.G., to creating successful ventures such as Roc-A-Wear, Roc Nation, and the aforementioned Tidal, even his marriage to pop ultra star Beyonce and the creation of their new family, Jay-Z has been the poster child for “making it” in this life with what he was given early on. For the most part, he was never afraid to let us know that either; championing fashions, trends, and how we moved and applied cultures to our own lives. 4:44 takes all those success and balances them against everything we thought we knew (or had speculations about), and for the very first time, Sean the man take the stage and leaves Jay the rapper behind on the mic.....and the world has given it an astounding reception. As this is led by No I.D. producing acumen, this album gives us a real “Soul on Wax” tour.
So, what on this album that’s so special?: Honestly, what isn’t? We’ve been waiting for this version of S. Carter since he came out of “retirement” to give us personal growth and reflection, not just financial and cultural dominance. Jay begins this immediately on “? Jay Z”, as he talks about finally shedding the darkness he’s seen, and coming out publicly with his own demons; with his friends (with a few bars at his “lil’ brother” Kanye for good measure) and his own infidelity (LOL @ shots at Eric Benet, ”? , NEVER go Eric Benet”). “The Story of O.J.” gives us a further driving point from Jay’s eyes that no matter how successful you are, if you are black, you’re “still ? ” around America, and takes an aim at wondering why the black community is so far behind, economic empowerment-wise, and why the Jewish community has attained true power and independence in this country.
(Side note: if you live in New York City, you should already know this. We see it everyday. Why the media decided to get their panties in a bunch over Jay saying this only further explains his point.)
On “Smile”, Jay takes the hate he knows that is covered up by smiles, and exclaims that despite it all, why he’s displayed on Mt. Rapmore when it comes to this game, and as to why people see what they only wish to see. This track is also noted for Jay allowing his mother, Gloria Carter, to showcase her own coming out as a lesbian, which is beautiful in its own right in the face of hip-hop's very anti-? stance. As the soul tour continues with “Caught In Their Eyes”, Frank Ocean makes a gracious appearance. The album’s deepest track, “4:44”, goes much deeper into Jay’s previous mentioned affairs to his wife Beyonce, and how as a nearly 50-year-old man, he’s finally realized just how much he’s hurt her, as well as how the lives they’ve created will see him once they learn this story eventually, summing it up with, “You did what with WHO?/what good is a ménage à trois when you have a soul mate/You risked that for Blue?”
By the time we get to “Family Feud”, he’s able to understand that when they all combine talents and resources in the Carter-Knowles household, it really is no ceiling to what that family can achieve, also re-affirming that he’s with his family, telling the home wreckers out there, “leave me alone, Becky.” Using the “Bam Bam” sample from Sister Nancy, Damian Marley drops by on “Bam” for a nice reggae/hip-hop crossover track guaranteed to get a club amped up this summer, while still letting Jay be the young Jay that we got to know and revere. (“I be skippin leg day, I still run the world/I press the head of ya team with one finger curl”) The album wraps up with three tracks, “Moonlight”, “Marcy Me” which is a wonderful pass through memory lane, and “Legacy” on how the spoils of his work will be seen throughout the generations with this game almost assured to reincarnate itself in his kids. There’s way too much to cover in the 10 tracks listed, but Jay has really laid it out there for the listener to get a better understanding of what has driven him in ways most of us never thought.
Could there have been more done here?: The problem with a concept album is sometimes that it can get so personal, that it encapsulates the whole project, and there’s no room for a time out. I honestly felt that 10 tracks was a bit light, and that something could’ve been done for the clubs, a la one of the many chart-topping hits we’ve grooved to from Marcy’s own. (Maybe someone along the lines of “Grown Man B-I” or something.) This is the first Jay-Z album where there’s not a real dance track here, and it just feels so…..incomplete. Other than that, there’s no real downsides, here.
My scores:
Lyricism: 9.25/10
Production: 9/10
Album Cohesiveness: 9.5/10
Replay Value: 9/10
Overall: 9.25/10
Final Thoughts: 4:44 is a great coming-full-circle vision on how one S. Carter has turned his gifts to what he’s said for years; as a gift and a curse. Yes, it’s brought him status, power, fame, and fortune, but it’s also brought him trials, tribulations, and pain. By broadcasting all of this in 30 minutes or so, he’s able to hopefully give the next generation a road map to success and how to avoid the pitfalls of his own setbacks....all for $9.99.
Do I feel that this album will get him hip-hop’s crown back from K. Dot? No. And it shouldn’t, because it simply no longer matters. That’s the point here: he’s worn that crown, repped that title, and many rappers have kissed that ring. He’s lane to glory has been paved. 4:44 is about what happens after your prime is past and your present hold a new chapter. As this album is very similar to Nas’s Life Is Good, both are able to bask on past triumphs, reflect on present relationship troubles, and give their own view on parenting challenges. Jay’s reflection comes with much more glamour and style, because, well…..he’s Jay. But him even peeling the onion of his this far back puts 4:44 at least in the Album of the Year conversation. If this is Jay’s final offering to the world of hip-hop, I’m just glad he’s saved the autobiography for last, because this is his truest work since one could say all the way back to the beginning, when Reasonable Doubt gave us a young emcee from Marcy projects and the promise of greatness he showed back then. The only question to ask now is will the "C" word - classic - get thrown around, when it's said and done? One can only hope.
For now, I'll just throw 4:44 in with Jeter's last at-bat, and Kobe's last game. One more taste of Black Excellence wasn't needed, but he gave it up anyway. Good ? , Jay.
Favorite Tracks: The Story of O.J., 4:44, Marcy Me
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Busta Carmichael wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »Dehaven is all on IG riding Hov nh...
Weird.
Link
IC won't link captions but u can see them for yourselves.
Bunch of other photos too
Plan A didn't work for him so he's on Plan B right now.
I been a Jayz fan since reasonable doubt,I have been on his side through the beans, dame and currently Kanye beef, he provided opportunities for those guys to be rich forever.
One thing I will never support him for is his treatment of Jaz o and dehaven.
I don't care what they did to him, he doesn't have to hang with them, he can just set them up financially especially jaz o.
It sad to see where he's at financially and where Jaz o is at. "I came in the game on Jaz back"
This is not about who wronged who,it's about making sure Jaz o is good.he deserves it.
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Watching the footnotes for the story of Oj on Tidal..
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power_wisdom wrote: »KnowReasonForPeace wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »Dehaven is all on IG riding Hov nh...
Weird.
Link
IC won't link captions but u can see them for yourselves.
Bunch of other photos too
But why give props to a snake ? ? ? hurt cause they not in emory or tyty spot.
Time heals all wounds. I think he just showing support.
True. Hopefully thats the case -
Breezy_Kilroy wrote: »White folks claiming anti semitism
How did they get that out of what was said?
Might be that line about jewish people owning everything om tje story of oj. Its a reach -
Busta Carmichael wrote: »Busta Carmichael wrote: »Dehaven is all on IG riding Hov nh...
Weird.
Link
IC won't link captions but u can see them for yourselves.
Bunch of other photos too
Plan A didn't work for him so he's on Plan B right now.
I been a Jayz fan since reasonable doubt,I have been on his side through the beans, dame and currently Kanye beef, he provided opportunities for those guys to be rich forever.
One thing I will never support him for is his treatment of Jaz o and dehaven.
I don't care what they did to him, he doesn't have to hang with them, he can just set them up financially especially jaz o.
It sad to see where he's at financially and where Jaz o is at. "I came in the game on Jaz back"
This is not about who wronged who,it's about making sure Jaz o is good.he deserves it.
But Jaz-O didn't sign the contract -
Y all know Dann well Jews can be sensitive as ?