i have to admit that i can't understand why jay-z is considered one of the world's best mcs. regardless of his commercial status, i just don't get the appeal. can anyone explain to me what it is about his flow that does it for them--or maybe point me to a track that shows his better side?

jay promised a pre-quel to Reasonable Doubt.........that said, this ain't it. The Black Album is a publicity stunt, which proves one thing, he's desperate. I've listened to the album a few times. My favorite cuts on the album are the two Neptune's joints, Encore, and Public Service Announcement. Those joints are hot. Everthing else is.....well, typical J. I'm not a Jigga fan, so maybe I'm biased. Much like you, I can take him in small doses. But who wants to hear somebody talk about how great they are for 13 tracks.....not me. The album is solid, not stellar, and it definitely doesn't break the mold or change the game.

hardCore - great points - after listening to a stack of Jay's records, you get to the point where calling yourself "God", in essence, is *just a bit* played out. Hell, half the people I know don't even realize who he's referring to...

In any case, I've only caught a bit of this last night, didn't have time to check the whole album. This is absolutely a big publicity stunt, and there is *no way* that Jay-Z is done for good. He's not stupid - he's obviously making money showing up on records with people, so he'll play that game for a while.

My man "Hardcore" is right. This is no prelude to Reasonable Doubt. I predicted that when I saw the producer lineup, even before it got leaked.

Plus, Jay is schitzo. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly he says that he can't go plat without mentioning the girls and diamonds. Then this month in XXL he says that the problem with hip-hop is that all the come-ups think they need to mention diamonds and girls to sell.

Yeah, I wonder where they got that idea from.

Yall some muthafuckin haters yall need to let Jay-z dick go and let him breathe of all his albums he has only had one weak one and that is the BluePrintII and only the first cd was okay but the second one was straight fire so let one of the greatest rappers bow out with no hate if you really want to know why he is the best then take a series listen to lyrical exercise off the BluePrint Album and listen to the whole BluePrint Album to recognize game And I am out

Jay-z, along with later Biggie shit, started Willieism in hip hop. The bling bling and ice stuff was all Jay. What was so cool about him doing it though was HOW he said it. "every words worth a thousand like I'm rapping through platinum teeth." If he chooses to contradict himself on occasion, so what. People grow as people and musicans and they shouldn't be discredited for that. He even critiques himself on the album, saying "I can't blame my environment for buying an expensive chain."
In addition, every track on the Black Album is tight. Some are a little more mainstream, some more personal, but they're all hot. Not one wack track there. So give it up to the most consistently nice MC in the game.

Usually after reading some of these ridiculous comments I would become irrate because of the fact that some people just can't appreciate and respect the ability of one of the greatest rappers of all time, namely Jay Z. Tell me who else has been on top of the game for their whole career? I guess there is just know way to satisfy people. The fact is that the Black Album is an instant classic, 5 mic worthy, and definitely changing the game. I know one thing, the rap game is in trouble if Hov is gone for good. Its about time all you haters give props to the GREATEST!!

"If you cant respect that yo whole perspective is wack maybe you'll love him when he fades to black."

I think that because Jay is smarter in the marketing dept. than most that he is hated on. He knows what it takes to get the money to live and then put the realest tracks on his albums. I think that he is one of the best but not the best. He has made a rags to riches story that all must envy and now that he is gone from the game who will step up to the plate???? He is an egotistical dude but if he doesn't believe in himself who else will. When he gave us his heart on Voolume 1 everyone tuned away and called it commercial and when he changed up the tracks and made some sales then he was hated again so what is the dude to do??? And all this is coming from a true to heart Nas fan.

NasFan is speakin nuthin but truth. Like Jay said, "What more can i say." What more can he say. For someone who has done everything possible in the game the Black Album is still extremely hot. He still got tricks up his sleeves. You gotta respect this guy. He made rap popular and mainstream so show love to da man.

Oh yeah and we all hatin on em becuz we aint buy the album.

These comments I've been hearing about Jay are unbelievable. Jay Z is one of the nicest MC's ever. It's definitely going to be a sad day in hip hop when he does bow out.

Thanks for the years Jay.

Ive been listening to his album for 2 days now. And as far I've listened it just keeps getting better. I don't know if I like the beats and I can't find 1 single song that could become an MTV hit..
just my .02 cents.
Overall it's a good album.

When 50 Cent says on his latest single "STUNT 101"
"I can't understand why reebok made a deal wit a psycho"

He does mean jay? is he?
if so he is a pathetic money hoe.

You missed when Jay Z rapped like Common Sense "Do you listen to music or do you just skim through it?" When Common was in his "Soul by the pound" phase of his career he had a typical early 90's flow which Jay also had if you listen to guess appaerances on Origianl Flavor Records and Jaz-O records. But I gues since you started listening to Hip Hip 2 weeks ago you wouldn't know that. Check your facts and do your research before you put them in print for all the world to see. Secondly, maybe all those damn caramels did more damage to you than you originally thought. Sure, he has had an off song (parking lot pimping) here and there or even an off album (in my lifetime vol 2) but I challenge you to find an artist who has put out more classics on a consistent basis. You, my friend have come down with a sincere case of Hateration. Take 2 doses of the Black Album and call me in the morning. OUT!!!

Like Jay said on Vol. 3-The cut with Primo-"Stop the guessing, it's hot".

Jigga is on top and has been from day 1.There's M.C.'s whom have been in the game as long as him, but they ain't been as consistent and relavant as the God-MC, him, Jay-Hova. He sets the pace, so all u hatas out dere- Buy 1 album, and u'll end up buying all. Yeah, ALL OF DEM BANGERS.1.B

Jigga is on top and has been from day 1.There's M.C.'s whom have been in the game as long as him, but they ain't been as consistent and relavant as the God-MC, him, Jay-Hova. He sets the pace, so all u hatas out dere- Buy 1 album, and u'll end up buying all. Yeah, ALL OF DEM BANGERS.1.B

The Black Album is truly a classic. Some of you who are hating it ask yourself this: 'What else could Jay have done?' He put together a great album here and if it truly is his last, he's going out on top. Great production from a variety of producers, good flow, amazing emotion shown on his tracks.

If you still aren't convinced:

"Who Y'all Know Fresher Than Hov? Riddle Me That, No One Else Is Close To Where He's Lyrically At"

-Black Album: Classic-

Jigga is the best M.C. in the game right know. It's ashame that we are going to lose him. Rap just ain't gon to be the same anymore. I can't wait for the Black Album to drop. I will be the first in line to get it. Jay is a lyrical genius. Those of you that don't agree just listen to his albums. No one will ever be as nice as him.

Dawg.... what more can I say...! This is the illest shit....ok Reasonable Doubt may be better... but get of his dick... damn he's Tha MC realize that! and if he wants to bow out...let him go...
Black Album is da shit!

Listening to the last track on the Black Album gave me a sad feeling.Hearing Jay Giving shout outs to his peoplez az he makes his exit from the rap game. He is one of the best. I'm glad Eminem worked on the album too.It's a classic album and whoever hates Jay, Hates him because he is pulling in so much money. Respect Hova , ur time in the Rap Game wuz wonderful. hope to hear from him again soon . Nuff Respect.

OK the 14 of Nov is officially a Holly-Day. The black album is so sick i had to send flowers for a "get well soon" man y'all cant hate, S.C is a lyrical God. The industrie will never be the same." IF I aint better than Big then im the closses one" true fact Jay-Z has just reached is PRIME respect the man. Without knowing it all y'all haters have atleast 1 line of Jay that u use in a dailly routine.

whoever hates Jay, Hates him because he is pulling in so much money..Posted By Slim Hova

Without knowing it all y'all haters have atleast 1 line of Jay that u use in a dailly routine.Posted By Mr.PK

Hate Must Be a Disease and you haters are in it's last stage..and to the reviewer..if u don't even concider 1 of Jay's Albums a Classic..than u truely a hater..and u shouldn't review shit..you're too biased.

The BLACK ALBUM is A NEW BLUEPRINT for HipHop, and that's beyond any REASONABLE DOUBT!!

let me say this...to enjoy this album, you would have to be a jay-z fan to begin with. this album displays a quite a few stand out tracks and for people to say jay can't rhyme..well thats more ludacris than chris bridges. "lucifer" (produced by kaNYE WEST) Is purely genius, and any real old school hip hop head has to feel the overall appeal of "99 problems". though i will say there is a few misteps, there still is enough material to make you realize this is quite an achievement on jay's part. it, however, does not live up to "reasonable doubt". but i can say this, people will have to realize nothing ever will. nas has yet to achieve an "illmatic "since. snoop will never make another "doggystyle". i will go as far to say that the if "the black abum" had to be compared to any of his other releases, it would most definetely be "blueprint" volume one. whether it is better, only time will tell. but as a fan of jay-z, and of hip hop overall...i will say im extremely pleased.

I think the Black Album is a good one. A lot of critics or non-j fans don't know much about what he's saying in his flows..most of the individuals making comments probably never listened to ALL of his albums to begin with, they just hear the radio jams that bang in the clubs. But he is a brilliant artist, and according to him he's not really rhyming just to rhyme, but his songs actually tell a story. If that's the case, then he is the best..not too many emcee's can chronical their lives through flows like Jigga..and on top of that make the clubs bump....Anyways, big up to the lyrical GOD..J-Hova..can't wait for "BLACK" Friday..."When Hov in the buildin, n*ggas launch from the door, from the front porch cuz I have no flaws" (floors, you know we East-Coast fellas don't pronounce "R's"..)

If this is Jay's last album I'm kind of disappointed cuz it could have/ should have been better. I guess I was expecting Reasonable Doubt material, but this isn't quite it. Don't get me wrong, its a good album, but the two Neptune beats are horrible and my main beef.... WHERE'S PRIMO?!?!

It goes Tupac, Biggie then Jigga

The man is undeniable talent. It irrates me to see all these haters post their comments. Stop hating on a guy cuz he makes all that money. Slickest rhymer in the game.

I just wonder how many people who sing the praises of Jay-Z venture outside of commercial media to really discover what else is out there. When Jay-Z was coming up and I was hearing "In My Lifetime" and stuff on mixtapes I knew this guy was really dope and had what it took to change the game. The result however was a mixed result. While he did do wonders for rap and help it progress into mainstream American culture as much (or more) than any artist ever, its that same leverage that hip hop holds that makes it so profitable for people to twist it and strip of its essence. At once I thought this was a necessary evil, now I'm not so sure. Sure Jay-Z is as talented as they come, but all too often recently he hasn't given nearly 110%

For all of you who talk about how he's been at the top of the game for so long... that's due to little more than money. Puffy has been close to the top for a long time as well, that doesn't make him a talented artist. Once you have the big money and powerful media conglomerates backing you, you'll sell. It just so happens that Jay-Z has more talent than Nelly, P Diddy etc... There are thousands of talented MCs that can't even compete with Jay-Z because they do not have the platform to. Listen to something like Immortal Technique or Binary Star and you would feel guilty about putting on "I Just Wanna Love You" or one of the many heartless examples of Jiggaman simply going through the motions.

Okay, let's break it down to get an easier view on this Album.
13 songs(excludin' the intro)

Arguable Less Quality Songs(the commercial shit):
Change Clothe & Go Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Allure--Them again

Songs Above Average:
99 Problems
What More Can I Say?
The Threat
Momenth Of Clarity
My First Song

Songs From Tight To CRaZEEE:
December 4th
Lucifer
Public Service Announcement
Encore

so that's 9 outta 13 that are "Good and better"
that's about three times as much as the average mainstream rapper has on their album.

this may be not, Reasonable Doubt, no it ain't Blueprint Neither..it's The Black Album..Damn It.
When Reasonable Doubt came out..critics said.."nothin'original".huh?!
when Blueprint came out, they said "Average Album", say what?
So Really it's time who can and will tell what kinda Album this one is...
We Mourn that we lost Great Mc's like Pac,Big, Big L, And Big Pun.
Be happy that there's still one alive,Makin'History..makin the game more interestin'..Don't wait till he's gone to say:"hey, that dude was kinda amazin'..
think'bout it.

Jay-Z is the hottest rapper ever. His punch lines are magnificent and the use of metaphors, imagery, ect. in his rhymes are used in a way no other rapper has come close to. He has a way of appealing to the commercial side of rap, and still keeping his raps hood and in touch w/ the streets. For the people that can relate to growing up in the hood and going through the struggle really feel Jay-Z, he draws listeners a picture w/ his words in a way never preceded. Listen to Jay-Z's songs. Listen to Jay's old shit, Come and Get Me-Vol. 1, listen to his new shit, Its On-Chaingang Vol.2, he always has been and always will be hot. And its not a track on the Blueprint thats not hot.

For everyone out that has one bit of hatred in their heart towards jigga, just go out their get any album the man has came with and just listen. Jay describes everything to you clear as day. Ain't another mc alive today that has a way with worlds like Jay. Meet the Parents just shows you that when Jay is in his mood no one will ever be able to touch him. Any one hating on this man is out of their mind, for nine years he has dropped nothing but heat. Get a clue. The black album is just more heat and Jay will go down in my book as the greatest of all time. 1

jay made a true hip-hop album for his fans who have been with him since day one...

Undeniable talent to say the least, hov will be missed by many, myself especially...as corny as it sounds, he has touched my life in more ways than I can count...

I really feel bad for those people out there who have just heard what jay has put out on the radio and videos because they will never truly understand what jay is really about, nor will they appreciate his lyrical talents...

With only a few throwaway tracks, the black album is at best, behind the blueprint and reasonable doubt, but a classic nonetheless... I would describe it as a sort of hybrid between his two best albums...

If jay really left the game, I've got mad respect for him - he went out with a bang, and an album for his true hip-hop fans...but if it turns out that he can't quit the rap game, that would be even better.

my rating 8.8/10

okay..i see you guys are discussing this "fade to black" that jay-z supposedly has dropped to be his final album. i work for the promotions department here at universal records. im not an a&r, or anything special. i am a runner(basically a "gopher"). but in my everyday work, i sometimes get into casual conversations with record label honchos, a&r's, etc...i will not profess to be the biggest jay-z fan..but i thought the following would be interesting to know.."The Black Album" is technically not jay-z's last album...sometime next summer (the word around here is mid-july)..jigga will drop another album that will consist of some his tighter collabos, unreleased material, and 4 to 5 new songs..in the vein of NAS "lost tapes" album.
the album is tenatively tittled "THE ENCORE: roc-a-fella records presents FEATURE PRESENTATION"..the marketing ploy will be, dame dash releases this without jigga's approval, because he felt the public demanded it. so on and yadda yadda..i was given a tenative tracklist from one of the a&r's in the office.
this could be total bullshit for all i know..but it sounds very legit and has actually came from more than 3 reliable sources at the def jam offices in new york and an a&r at the los angeles office.

1."renegade" featuring eminem prod. by eminem

2."4 alarm blaze" feat. m.o.p prod. by dj premier

3."one minute man" feat missy elliott, ludacris produced by timbaland, co produced by big tank

4.*"lobster and scrimp"(rmx) feat. skillz, timbaland
prod. by timbaland

5.*"sneakers and jeans" feat. 50 cent prod. by red spyda

6.*"stop"(rmx) feat. bubba sparxxx prod. by
timbaland

7."big pimpin" feat. ugk produced by timbaland

8.*"casualties of the hustle" feat. notorious b.i.g
prod. by younglord

9.*"as good as it gets" feat. big l, camron
prod. by dj premier

10.*"stand up" (rmx) feat. ludacris produced by kanye west

11."is that yo bitch" (original version) feat. twista prod. by timbaland

12.*"platform" feat. phonte of little brother
produced by 9th wonder

13."aint no nigga"(rmx) feat. lil kim
produced by ski

14."this cant be life" feat scarface, beanie sigel
prod. by kanye west

15.*"still(auto)matic" feat.daz dillinger produced by scott storch(dr.dre)

16."money aint a thang" feat jd produced by jermaine dupri

17. "change the game" feat. beanie sigel, memphis bleek prod. by rick rock

18.*"hovi baby" (rmx) feat. twista, xzibit prod. by just blaze

19.*"early morning" feat. d'angelo prod. by dj premier

disc 2
20.*"get by"(rmx) feat. talib kweli
prod. by kanye west

21.*"brooklyn's finest"(rmx) feat, notorious b.i.g remix produced by just blaze

22."5 minute freestyle" feat. funkmaster flex
prod. by dj clue & ken "duro" ifill

23.*"fade to black" feat. dr. dre
prod. by dr. dre & focus

24."money, cash, hoes" feat. dmx produced by swizz beats

25.*"that aint it" feat. bonecrusher
produced by 9th wonder

i guess we will see

SEE WHAT YOU KATS OR THE NONE BELIEVING ONES THAT IS, DON'T OVERSTAND IS THAT IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT QUALITIES THAT COMPOSE A TOP NOTCH MC........DELIVERY, THE ABILITY TO ADAPT TO OTHERS TECHNIQUES WHEN PAIRED UP AS A FEATURED GUEST ON A TRACK,VERSATILITY, THE ABILITY TO STICK TO THR SUBJECT FOR THE DURATION OF THE SONG. THE ABILITY TO SPEAK ON NUMEROUS TOPIC'S ONCE AGAIN STICKING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER. JAY-Z ACCOMPLISHES ALL OF THESE QUALITIES. LISTEN TO HOW HE TAKES YOU FROM BEING A STREET KATT TO A CORPORATE MC VERBALLY, PICTURES SO VIVID YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE YOUR SELF IN THE SCEEN. LISTEN TO JAY WITH AN OPEN MIND AND MAYBE YOU'LL ADVANCE FROM SOLDIER TO GENERAL. P.S IT'S OBVIOUS THAT SOME JUST AREN'T MEAN'T TO BE LEADERS THATS WHY THEY FOLLOW. FOR THOSE FOLLOWERS, WE HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON AND I CAN SEE WHY YOU WOULDN'T FEEL HOV!!!!!!!!BE EASYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!BORN GOD...........

I have yet to hear the black album because i chose to wait for the official release. so i cannot coment on it. but what i can talk about is jiggas long lasting effect on hip hop. lets face it no one has ever been this consistant comercial and quality wise EVER in hip hop.I mean the thing that still continues to impress me about hova is his ability to change rhyming styles like an outfit(nigga what niga who,snoopy track,hovi baby).not to mention his excelent body of work.
lets face it all in all Jay-z is the greatest rapper of all time.the mj of the game and no lebron or kobe can replace him

that was a good review. when my friend sent me the song, and he quoted jay's line about kweli, the should be undisputed greatest rapper alive. i was like "if jay could be like kwa, he wouldve" but thats a lil harsh for a guy whos had great success and some fo real club bangers. hes not great though, not in the tupac and biggie way. if it were basketball, jay would be an all star, rememberes as a great, a gary payton. tupac and biggie were legendary, jordan and wilt. kweli is an elgin baylor, a legend who didnt get enough exposure. you get the idea. jay-z has been a lil hyped by his new york counterparts- go to the west coast, u'll here more pac than jay. thats just how it is. he a publicist, a money maker, he recognizes it, it obviously doesnt bother him much, why cant we just say it? it will be interesting to see if its his last album, because it sounds to me like hes trying to create a following, he wants to become a legend, w/o the dying. the best stuff around has NOT been coming from jay, not saying he aint talented, but he chose his side, and because he tries to recompense it, on his LAST album, means he either didnt care to be a kweli or common, or couldnt be. he early stuff hinted, but he never made it. and if he did pull a kweli, would y'all be riding his album and leaving so hard? doubt it. the great ones dont retire, dont leave the game, they cant, because the great ones love it, they dont use it. think of it this way, if tupac were a white kid from the suburbs, he would have a nobel prize, biggie wouldve been a poet laureate, and jay... jay wouldve been justin timberlake...

reply to "thebestleft", I Bet 10 Pac Albums that the only stuff u've listen from Jay is the "club bangers"...Pac was gonna retire, but that u didn't know..so actually u contradictin'yourself..was Pac the best?cuz u said the best don't retire..

I agree that Pac and Biggie are of the best..but comparin Jay-Z to timberlake than u talkin shit my friend...if Jay-Z was white..he woulda been Frank Sinatra..did this game his fuckin'way..peace

hip hop is a very complex industry so you cant say bigie was the best because he had the best flow or pac was the best because he was a great writer or einem is the best because of his complex flow and originality. The Greastest has to be great in all categorys. Jigga has earned exceptional marks in all areas in hip hop.he has the
perfect blend of rhymeskills,witty lines,delivery,style, cockyness and humbleness.

No one has held it down for so long. no one has made so many great albums. no one has Made more hot tracks. no one Has more rhyme styles.No rapper has done what he has done in the buisness world. because of jigga every rapper wants to start their own label. every rapper wants a clothing line. every rapper wishes they could have half the street cred and commercial succes. jay-z has his hands in every aspect of hip hop culture.He is the greatest rapper of all time.

(ps congrats to p-diddy for completing that marathon)

Ok listen up. Jay's the best ever. Let me guess all you haters out their like eminem and 50 cent and our big Pac fans yeah yeah yeah blah blah blah. You people need to think for yourself and stop letting the media tell you who you think is the best. If you don't like jay then fine, but your missing out. If ya'll get a chance to listen to "Lucky Me" and still don't like Jay. Then you got a problem.

That pac guy that gets his dick sucked by every wannabe rap fan in the world, always talks about how much of thug he was. Well he probbably was, but for christ sake he used to back up dance for humpty. He went from a back up dancer to hardcore thug. Bitch went from Hammer to the Block. When Jay was pushing wait trying to survive Pac was doing the cabbage patch. I'm not taking anything from the man though. He's one of the greats. The greatest? No way.

Look I've been listening to Jay along time. He took me from the Pearl Jam's and Pink Floyds and brought me back into rap. (In My Life time). I am an avid music fan. I like something from every genre, but when it comes to hip hop. I don't get no better then Jay-Z.

I bet all of you out there who says Jay only raps about money or bitches have a 50 cent album in your car right now. Whats he rap about? Between all his lyrics about how many times he got shot are lyrics about money or bitches. It's what almost every mc raps about. Unless your Andre 3000 and even he has songs about his bling and his guns and so does Talib Kweli, common sense, mos def, and all the back packers. Who can blame them, most came from nothing and now they got more then they have ever dreamed. So let'm rap about it. Just don't base your opinion about Jay on the fact that he only raps about money and bitches.

So for all you people who have no idea about this man's intelligents I have made a list of songs you need to hear. Just off the top of my head. By the way if Jay was dead he'd already be considered the greatest ever. All you haters would jump right on his dick like you've been on it forever. Any way check these songs out

Lucky Me
Where I'm from
D'Evils
Feelin it
Soon you'll understand
Song Cry
regrets
Track 14 on Vol. 1 (you must love me) amazing
Heart of the city
The Blue Print (The Blue Print)
This can't be life
The intro to the dynasty (infact all his intro's are unparrallel)
Come and get me
Can't knock the Hustle
Anything
Dope man
Dynasty album Track 16
Can I live

Look I'd could go on forever, but check these songs out and I guarantee you change your opinion.

Trade Man

dont get me wrong jay hot, and i would accept him as a top 5 emcee, top 5 rapper all in all, but the greatest? his retiring thing is a joke, we all know he wont retire, its more for people to talk about his legacy and shit, come on even dead rappers cant stop having "new" music dropped every year. And about pac, pac wasnt gonna retire, he was gonna get away from suge, and he was never a backup dancer for dig underground, he did shit with dig, but whatever, ur point was? i thought we talking about skills, and if skills sold, truth be told, would he really be kweli? cuz thats my point, if his skills were kweli's hed sell 'em. and i have heard a lot more than club bangers, thats what i figured most people ever hear than jay, and probably thats gonna be legacy. and that post above was right, timberlake was rough, sinatra was a lil better, but hes still just a pop icon, not a legend. honestly though, we all are already set in what we know, so aint nuthin here gonna sway you either way. i just agree with the review, it his "last" album, and hes tryin to make amends, but why should he?

1. Interlude
-Whatever, used to jay-z opening up his albums with one to two minuts of fire this interlude is kinda ho hum didly dum

2. December 4th
Epic sounding classic. Jay probably trying to reach out to the personal trials and tribulations lyricism that made "you must love me" a stand out. however this sounds more like a coronation and immediately sets the tone that this may be his last album.

3. What More Can I Say
Another old school production track. I like the intro with the Gladiator sample but if your gonna intro yourshit like that then the follow up must be "mj's last shot versus the jazz sick" and this just aint that. Not a bad song but take the intro made me wnat more. here we have a chance for nas to say some shit like yeah i used your sample you was using it wrong.

4. Encore
Mixed fillings on this track since again, like december 4th it sounds like a farewell. Want the 411? Its about one minute 11 seconds to long. On its own it really does not STANDOUT but on a good album like this it doesnt play as filler material.

5. Chang Clothes
Guess jay has'nt forgoten bout his female fans. Apparently that is probly the only reason this track is on this album right thurr. Not bad if your in the mood. but after the first 3 tracks and intro this is like a commercial that you
tolerate out of respect.

6. Dirt Off Your Shoulder
ill Timbo beat that outshines Jay-z's lyrics. If any song so far needs to be remixed with a guest appearance (lil jon instead of jay-z on chorus maybe) its this one. Jay doesnt quite carry it all tha way. The reason I say that is the beat has "Damn", Youngbloodz potential but the chorus lacks energy.

7. Threat
Jay and 9th gotta do some more shit together. Cuz this track and jays flow blend 2gether so seamlessly. "yow niggaz is targets, your garages for bullets please don't make me park it in your upper level, vallet a couple sprays from the 38 special, nigga, god bless ya" damn hate to quote violent lyrics but man is this shit liquid smooth or what?

8. Moment of Clarity
Lets call Eminem a dre clone cuz thats essentially who his tracks sound like. Either way he does it well and this track is renegade level tight. if u listen close enough you can here his voice in the background on the chorus. I wonder if jay was afraid of being outshined by Em on this track. AM not saying lyrically em was better on renegade but his shit sounded better than jay's am sure some of yow out thurr know what am sayin. Overall a good listen.

9. 99 Problems
Can't review this song. its just some fun shit. Better rock fusion than that last kravitz/jigga cut.

10. PSA (name is hov)
most average uninspired track on the album. luckily the song's lyrics are hot and the fade out to a PSA lady sayin shit is hot too.

11. Justify My Thug
thought that the beat sounded a little to much like some michael jackson track that came out recently. funny shit, dj quick sampling michale jackson tracks. sounds like a rushed song cuz it does not all come together like jigga songs usually do.

12. Lucifer
Kanye u got it together dawg. This track is sick. Jay' complements it tightly. But at this point i wanna heare jay talk about something besides hiself know am sayin?

13. Allure
tight lyrics cashmere thoughts feel to it. thank god pharell aint on it. very easy listening.

14.
A standout track hot as fuck. Don't tale this shit out tha cd case without your mittens. By far the best shit on the album. jay doing that jiggga what jigga who type of flow on another fittin track.

there u got it. my unofficial thoughts on black album track by track. wanna holla atcha boy bout the tracks. AIM ---> Pimpnrun

I dont know what people doing reviewing the album when it isnt even out. I am sure that the version on the net is not a hundred percent accurate. However I have downloaded it myself and really dont have any complaints. I think it will be a great album. I largely judge albums by whether I can listen to the whole thing without skipping any tracks and it definately passes that test. This album comes with strong flows and lyrics and a good variety of beats. But more importantly most of the tracks are just fire. I was going to try and pick my favorites but realized that the list just gets too big. I think this album is definately close to the level of The Blueprint which I think is one of the best Rap Albums ever. I also cant understand ppl who dislike Jay-Z. I mean I can understand if he isnt your personal favorite but it is stupid to deny the fact that he is one of the best MCs ever if not the best.

really i know all y'all jay-z haters will say the things u have said before and the most interesting thing is that whether u are a Nas fan or not nigger, by now you should've grown and realised that jigga is tha better emcee except your hatred is so blinded.Take a minute and ask your self which other rapper who came to the game in 1996 is still as hot as jigga and still makin number one hits as him.What more can he say, what more do y'all want him to do.I can boast of havin listen to the songs but from "what more can i say" and "change clothes" u dont need to be told who he really is,.There is no motherf**kin emcee who could compare his game now do jigga except for some of those who passed way y'all know whadda mean

All you fucking internet critics who didn't buy the album and sit there with your mp3s reviewing guy can stuff it. You don't even deserve the opportunity to give your opinion.

All you fucking internet critics who didn't buy the album and sit there with your mp3s reviewing guy can stuff it. You don't even deserve the opportunity to give your opinion.

G, here's a newsflash for you: EVERY review you've ever read in any magazine or newspaper was written by somebody who got the album for free. The only difference here is we are not GETTING paid to give our opinion.

Y'all need to know that Jigga's been the man since reasonable doubt and to stay consistant the way he has is a tough job in itself. The Black Album is gonna be a classic like The Blueprint. Like Blueprint, it's an album that's gonna get better each time you listen to it. This being his last album is hard for me to believe and I know in time he will release a one off ep or suttin. There is only one big name in hip-hop that really is the don and that is Jigga. You just need to check his ho and you'll see it ain't just the fella's who have respect. ROC 4 LIFE!

First of all when 50 cent said I cant believe Reebok did a deal with a psycho, he's actually talking about himself. If you listen to 50's cd's you would know he calls himself the bad guy and also metions even my mom knows somethings wrong with my head. His image is the crazy tough street guy, it hekped him sell 8 million records so 50 keep doing you. Back to Jay-z I've downloaded the Black Album on the Internet andf this album is hotter then Reasonable Doubt and Reasonable Doubt is a classic. The only problem i have with this album is Jay didnt use his fast Fu-Shitzen flow like he had around 1993,94,95, and 96. The reason why Jay-z's flow was crazy fast and rode the beat so well back then was because he actually wrote his rhyme. But he was making money off that flow so he switched it up then he started getting those platinum plaques. If you have Kazaa download a song called Can't get with that or go to defjam.com to see the I Cant Get with That video youll see the Fu-Shtiken flow Jay-z had back in 94, 95, and 96. The Black Album is better if not equal to Reasonable Doubt, I just hope the album has 6 or 7 hidden bonus tracks at the end for old time sakes.

p.s.

If you started listening to hiphop in the 2000's then your whole perspective is wack maybe you'll understand Jay-z after he fade to black.

Jay-z rapped so fast back then because he use to write his rhymes but he wasnt making that much money off that flow because it wasa going over peoples head. The reason why Jay-z is the G.OA.T. ( greatest of all time) is because once he hears a beat he can spit a whole track in a minute. Why dont you people hating on Jay-z try to stop listening to the beats, forget Primo hip hop is about the lyrics, do you cowards listen to music or do you just skim through it.

Jay-z dosent write his lyrics he makes them up as he goes along that what makes him such a lyrical genius. And I agree with Steve rap is about lyrics not beats, dont get me wrong beats help but just cause Primo aint on dont mean nothing, I've downloaded the album and its fire thats why I'm buying the album this Friday. Since the rest of you are using Jay-z's verses to end their comments heres my favorite Jay-z verse. If you dont where your vest today, then tommorrow, we'll be like damn we were just with him yesterday.

You posers dont understand hip hop. Theirs a couple of great rappers out there. And if you have 1,2,3, or 4 albums you cant be one of the greats. So Eminem cant be a great he has 3 albums, 50 cent cant be a great he has 2 albums ( and guess whos back was a half-way album), Nas is ok but hes inconsistent Illmatic is a classic then evertything else Nas put out was half-ass. Stillmatic was about destroying and Rebuilding and it had about 4 solid tracks. Gods Son was about peace and it had 4 solid tracks, Black Album is a classic all the songs he spits venom, but i also wish he wouldve used his 93 flow that flow was serious. If you wanna hear why hes the God MC download the 7 minute freestyle with Jay-z and Big l, then you know why the called him J- Hova by the way J- Hova means Jehovah and Jehovah is God. Hope that wasnt above your level. 1

Theres only a couple of greats and most of them are dead or to old or not selling like they should Biggie,Jay-z,Rakim,Big L,Tupac,Nas. And Nas barely made that list because hes tiught every blue moon or so. The Black Album is tight work this is better then Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt. Not one bad track I hope it has bonus tracks or a bonus cd with extra tracks. I hope Jay only retire for a year cause he was the only rapper holding it up right. Remember when hip hop was becoming so bland only 1 hue, then a Saviour showed himself and he dropped Reasonable Doubt. Without Jay-z this is the 1st step of the demise of hip hop unless Beanie Siegal the future step up, cause I know Nas cant do it. Jay-z I hope this is a vacation not retirement cant wait to buy the album. I already downloaded the album to see if it was hype or a classic. And the Black Album is a classic.

Rocafella 4 life, Jay-z this better be a vacation, you aint alllowed to retire, Jay-z aka Young Hova aka Vito aka Hov the Hustler aka Ghangas Kahn of Rap aka the God mc aka the best rapper alive. To quote Jay-z CANT LEAVE RAP ALONE THE GAME NEEDS ME.

and nigga's been prayin to GOD so long that they athiest. Where I'm from one of if not my favoriate jay songs. Jay is a poet trapped in the mind of a brilliant buisness man. Give the man his respect. He could of probbably come out before 96 and got beat in his head by A&R's.....but no not Jay. He waited, sat back, and saw the snakes in the grass. Then started his own lable. Did it his way.

Lil Jon did I hear you say lil jon and Jay-Z in the same sentence. Son you better grow up. Lil jon's good for the girls and the yougsters, but Jay-Z makes grown up music. He's like a rap comic. His shit's popular, but it's a joke. December 4th is brilliant, definately of epic proportion.

Your right Jay is a pop Icon. No doubt about it. I guess Tupac and Biggie aren't pop Icons. No, not at all that's why their life stories are on VH1 like every other week. So who would you compare them to. Madoona, Michael Jackson, or perhaps Little Richard. Come on you incompetent fucks get a clue. It's all about the sales, it's all about the fame. Jay-Z wants to be considered a pop Icon who wouldn't. Tell me eminem doesn't. That's why he makes them funny little kid songs like My name is and Stand up. )Don't get me wrong shits hot, but it's more for the kids or the radio I should say. So to say Jay is a pop ICON yeah your right, but who isn't. Let me guess you listen to some real underground shit don't you. Well believe me man their feening like that old boy down your block for some hard, to be where Jay is. They to wish to be Pop Icons some day. Here's a list of my favorites.

Jay-Z
Jim Morrison
Pearl Jam
Pink Floyd
OutKast
Easy-E (The best dead MC)
Frank Sinatra

"If I shoot you I'm brainless If you shoot me your famous"

Trade Man

iIT'S AMAZING YA'LL HATE ON SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN AS POPULAR AND CONSISTENT AS JAY. MOST RAPPERS HAVE A FEW GOOD ALBUMS THEN FALL OFF...NOT ONLY HAS HOV HAD GREAT OR AT LEAST ACCEPTABLE ALBUMS DURING HIS CAREER HE HAS DONE IT WITH UNCANNY RETURN TIME, ALMOST AN ALBUM A YEAR AND IT WAS STILL HOTNESS!! HIS SKILLS ARE UNQUESTIONABLE (EVEN IF HIS SOMETIME LIMITED SUBJECT MATTER IS), HIS FLOW IS HOT TO DEATH, THE ARROGANCE THAT ALL RAPPERS SHOULD HAVE IS THERE AND HE HAS HELD IT DOWN EVA SINCE. BIGGIE AND TUPAC ARE CERTAINLY GREAT BUT THEY DIED BEFORE THERE TIME AND WE'LL NEVER KNOW HOW EITHER OF THEIR CAREERS WOULD STILL BE IF THEY WERE STILL AROUND (THEY POSSIBLY COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF BY NOW TOO)...JAY HAS FORTUNATELY BEEN AROUND AND CONTINUES TO WEAR THE CROWN AND GOT SEXY AZZ BEYONCE ON HIS SIDE TO BOOT. ALL HAIL THE CURRENT KING!!!! FADE TO BLACK!!!

Da Black album is the best shit out there. please go get urself an original copy . if you dont got money go ask for it take it lend ,borrowed wit iinterest . this should be heard by the world there is no resson any1 should hav a copy of this Album . If this album doesn't get 5 mics sumthin is wrong . play dis shit every night and day rememba da lyrics by heart cuz the streets is not only watchin they hearin too. Novemba 14 da Black Album in stores .

Absolutely Right Liksten to these guys. They know what their talking about. The Black Album is a classic and if the real version is the same then my new list will be

Vol.1
The Black Album
Reasonable Doubt
The Blue Print
Vol.3
Vol.2
Streets is Watching SoundTrack
The BluePrint 2

Dynasty (Greatest intro ever) Thoght Early this morning should have been released on the Blue Print 2 as the Intro to disc 2. You know on the gift he opened up the "A Dream" what a concept it would have been if opened up the curse waken up from the dream with "Early this morning" should have let me on the creative team for that one. Actually I think Jay can handle it. like jason kidd.

To kill a motherfucker die bleeding is nothing, but you kill a motherfucker die breathing then your saying something-Jay

Holla!
Trade Man

you jay-z hataz need to stop waking up on his dick and eat some breakfast first... this is a man who has carried hip hop on his back for 7 whole years after we were robbed of biggie and tupac..he is the most consistent rapper if not musicain ever..year after year he hits us in the head with his truths of the game...there is jay-z and then theres everyone else....instead of camparing his albums to everyone elses i find myself comapring his albums to his other albums hahahaha.....no one has done it betta..im gonna miss u hov...and cop that black album folks cuz its the closest thing to an audio version to jayz's life then we are gonna get..1

Man, I cant beleive what i am hearing. Jay-Z is one of the greatest, and he is the greatest thats still alive. The reason Jay-Z is so good is because his style is so clever, he makes you think while listening to his album. One of them MC's that make u rewind his shit so u can understand just what he was talkin bout,(man u niggas aint start out of your trunk to reach the roof just to put your roof in your trunk). Thats all im sayin, Holla back

AT THE END OF THE DAY JAY IS THE BEST BECAUSE OF HIS ABILITY TO CONSISTENLY PUT OUT STELLAR MATERIAL. WAS BP2 A MISSTEP YES BUT THE BRILLIANCE WAS STILL THERE. IF ONE IS JUDGED BY RADIO SINGLES THEN NAS SUCKS AND NELLY IS THE GREATEST EVER.IF YOU ARE A STUDENT OF THE GAME THEN YOU KNOW THAT J HAS BEEN FLOSSY SINCE 94/95 WHEN NAS WAS STILL GRIMEY. PEOPLE MISCONSTRUE THE TRUTH FOR THEIR OPINIONS. GO VERSE FOR VERSE HIS AGAINST ANYONE ALBUM FOR ALBUM, CUT FOR CUT AND SEE WHO IS DOPER. THE BLACK ALBUM IS NOT WHAT HE SAID IT WOULD BE BUT NEITHER WAS LIFE AFTER DEATH CHECK THE LOST INTERVIEW BY BIGGIE IN XXL FROM MARCH THE END PRODUCT IS NOTHING LIKE WHAT HE STARTED OUT TRYING TO MAKE.

IF NOT JAY-Z THEN WHO????
do u people realise that tupac i droppin yet another album and a movie yes a MOVIE! AND NO CARES
Wwho else in rap today with the exception of eminem(because he's a white rapper) can draw this much attention.
if u still dont get it nas ja rule and dmx also said that these were their last albums but no body gives a shit because they do not hav the personality the drive or the skills that jayz has
HE IS THE GREATEST OUT RIGHT NOW N WHEN HE RETIRES HE WILL BE AT LEAST NUMBER 2 ALL TIME (2ND ONLY TO TUPAC)

Give the man the respect he deserves
where was nas when hip hop need him he was makin shit like i am and nastradamus when jayz was makin classics like vol 3 and the dynasty he help rap up when there was no one else
The man is the best out now and to top it off he did it on his own. he built his shit up from the ground
lets go Song fa song jayz is the illest nigga doin this til yol prove me wrong

question? if i listen to kweli and jay-z do i contradict myself? or am i just open enough to hear that both these artist give me something to take in when i listen. if u got love for jay than keep that love and if u don't, no need to hate. i've been listening to jay since reasonable doubt, and i got mad respect for dood. he has the mainstream knowledge, and knows how to sell records. jay has never made his fans wait or wonder when the next album would drop. and then when it does drop its always heat...u figure an average mc drops an album and about 4 out of 12 tracks can u actually feel. but jay got it to where u probably won't feel like 1 or 2. so for the haters go cop reasonable doubt - blue print 2 and pick up that s.carter the collection mixtape and bring a pen and pad, to take notes and listen...like jay has said before..." its just food for thaught, you do the dishes..."

I see this has come a long way, opinions turning into arguments. Now, to set the facts straigh't. I don't know much about shoppin' rocks or the hottest hiphop rockin spots, but i do know what selling is. I just need more instumentals but if any of us had studio time like it was college credit hours, we'd all have better albums than This! Moment of Clarity: I wanted to hear my sub pounding, but where was the Bass lines? Its 2004, there is no brotherley-love no more.

I represent Ohio State University, and I've heard of Bow Wow tracks that are more compelling to thy ears. Maybe the dank in the pipe wasn't cherrin, Fuck Jay-Z, pass me the weed i'mma put my ashes out on this chunk.

Don't make babies cause you is LAME. SO LAME. Hand the crown to Nas, and go sip on some Crown because you got us all Down.

Minithin: if i dont blow up, i'll just grow up.

oh, and for those who don't know. Don't get it twisted. Who's next? I've been working on pure underground tracks. I wanna keep hearing Pacewon diss Eminem like Royce did. Hear "rap muzic" or however its spelled. Fuck obie trice too. He gotta deal cause he was freestyling in front of Em's limo. And then the rabbit jumped on his dick.
ONe Time for your mothher fuckin mind.
He RUSHED on this album and so did Obie Trice with Cheers. God bless Kazaa.

Jay's been talkin' about retiring since "Reasonable Doubt", but actually began envisioning his idea during the promotion of his "Vol. 3...". Who besides me remembers The Source interview where he promises "no singles, no promotion, just an album, that's it"? But Jay's no dumb nigga, he knows what sells and what doesn't. But think about it, wouldn't the following have been an iller swan song for Jigga (I don't care what anyone says, he IS the greatest rapper alive) than the bootleg floating around now? We all know that everything Jay spits on "The Black Album" is butter, but production-wise and concept-wise it could've been better. This is all speculative based on the interviews I've read over the years about Jay's original concept for the album, what I know he is capable of as an artist, and what I believe other people would agree with me on. Peep:

Jay-Z, "The Black Album" (that should've been)

01 - "Intro" Instead of the "ho-hum-diddly-dum" intro on the bootleg, the album begins with incessant rambling from Pain In Da Ass, who's been absent from Hov's last three (solo) albums. After his "Okay, I'm reloaded!", a SICK-ASS (and I mean, why-the-hell-has-he-not-worked-with-him-since-1999 sick) DJ Premier beat, with Jay rappin' some requisite braggadocio, comes in a la "Vol. 1"'s "A Million & One Questions/Rhyme No More" and "Vol. 2"'s "Hand It Down". True hip-hop heads and Jay-Z fans alike would pee their pants.

02 - "December 4th" As far as I'm concerned, this introspective tracked helmed by Just Blaze can stay, as it is indeed the perfect backdrop to a Jay-Z on the brink of retirement. "...all the teachers couldn't reach me / And my mama couldn't beat me / Hard enough to match the pain of my pops not seein' me" just scratches the surface of the impact the song has on the LP, and I wouldn't change a thing.

03 - "What More Can I Say" Let's be honest: the song's production is sick; its usage of the same sample Tracey Lee and the Notorious B.I.G. used for "Keep Your Hands High" as well as one of B.I.G.'s lines from the same song YET AGAIN being quoted by Jigga ("them rings and things you sing about, bring 'em out") is terrific, but what the hell was Jay thinking with letting whoever the hell it was sing the hook? What a piss-poor job! For this song, I would've let Rell step up to the mic and sing the chorus. It's not like he'd be breaking his no-one-besides-me-is-going-to-be-on-the-album rule: Pharrell pops up TWICE (which, to me, is poor judgment on Jay's part: too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, get it?) on "The Black Album"'s prototype.

04 - "Encore" Let it be said that Kanye West is doin' his muthafuckin' thing right now. This track, however, is not what I've come to expect from him. It would be hella better without the silly chanting of "Hova" by the crowd, but lines like "...'cause the shit I uttered / Is utterly ridiculous / How sick is this?" more than make up for what could've been an utter disaster by Kanye & Jay.

05 - "Change Clothes & Go" Should NOT be on the album. Ever. Fits more at home on "The Blueprint 2", but where in the world does it belong on an album that was supposed to re-spark the same fire seen on "Reasonable Doubt"? I'll answer this one: it DOESN'T. A better title for this would've been "Excuse Me Miss 3 (Excuse Me Yet Again, But...)". Don't get me wrong: Pharrell and Chad are the hottest producers in the biz right now and, quite frankly, I love 'em. But I think I speak for a lot when I say that I don't want to remember Hov' as having poor tastes in beats. Instead, replace with "Early This Morning", adding an extra verse of sorts.

06 - "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" "You're now tuned into the muh'fuckin' greatest." We know, Jay. Good track from Timbo, plus Jay is spittin' at his finest so, I wouldn't change a thing.

07 - "Threat" 9th Wonder's interpolation of R. Kelly's "A Woman's Threat" is sick, sick, sick. Makes you wonder, though, seeing how Jay and R. don't work together anymore, but...this track is definitely a keeper. However, I'd do without the pseudo-thug who talks so annoyingly on the track, as it takes away from "Threat"'s credibility. Hard to believe that Jiggaman will "put that knife in ya' / Take a lil' bit of life from ya'" when what sounds like Ezell the crackhead from "Friday" is talkin' all stupid. Let's do without him, eh?

08 - "Moment Of Clarity" Like I may have said earlier (or maybe I haven't yet, shit I dunno) everything Jay spits on the album is golden. His flow, subject matter, nothing that JAY-Z SAYS is garbage. The production on this track, however, is. Whoever told Em that he was a good producer must have been suckin' a little too hard on his you-know-what, because this mediocre beat is right up there (or down there, depending on how you look at it) with other Dre-esque beats as Obie Trice's "Love Me", Xzibit's "Don't Approach Me" and "Say My Name", and the bulk of "The Eminem Show". In my opinion Eminem, the second-greatest rapper alive, should stick to rapping. Speaking of Slim Shady, how did the illest MC ever go from spittin' lines like "I'm sicker than Boy George / Picturin' Michael Jackson in little boy's drawers / Shoppin' at toy stores" to his gangsta-impostering "I got 50 Cent, I got G-Unit / D-Tweezy in this bitch, wit Obie Trice!"? Personally, I prefer the pre-1999 backpacking Slim Shady to the post-"Marshall Mathers LP" 2Pac-imitating Eminem any day. But alas, I digress. Anyway, this track should've been left up to the Good Doctor himself. Diagnosis: change producers.

09 - "99 Problems" Jay over rock guitars a la 1986 is a good way to keep to his promise of giving "The Black Album" its pre-"Reasonable Doubt" feel, and it's damn sure better than that God-awful Heavy D-produced "Guns and Roses" from "The Blueprint 2". Definitely a keeper.

10 - "Public Service Announcement (My Name Is Hov)" Another Just Blaze gem, the dialogue from the public speakers is a nice touch. Wouldn't change.

11 - "Justify My Thug" Should NOT be on the album. At all. The production is boring and, with the Madonna sample, very gimmicky, and makes me want to shake my head at Jay for such poor tastes in musical backdrops. Don't get me wrong, I love DJ Quik!! Just not THIS song. Instead, replace with "Calling My Name", another "Blueprint" leftover, as it better captures the feel of a pre-1996 Shawn Carter, with all the references to "'88" and "oil / some water, some baking soda".

12 - "Lucifer" SICK. Sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, SICK. Kanye West is, indeed, a genius with this Max Romeo sample. I ain't got to say no more, this song should definitely stay. Kanye, PLEASE produce my album when I drop.

13 - "Allure (High On Life)" The Neptunes' diversity, from poppy radio hits to inflective somber tunes, is intriguing. Having said that, this song's beautiful soundscape makes it a good track, and Jay's "Cashmere Thoughts"-esque subject matter sure help the cause. Keep this one.

14 - "My First Song" Great production, but...! Here's where the key modifications should be made. First, let's cut out all the shout-outs that make up 60% of the song. Second, towards the end, include a slow heartbeat that opened up "Reasonable Doubt", and slowly fade it away. Wouldn't that be hella better and, in effect, act as a prequel to "Reasonable Doubt"? Isn't that what Jay promised us?

There you have it, my idea of a better "Black Album". This comes from a person with way too much time on his hands, and should be treated as such. ?uestlove, what happened? I thought you were making sure Jay was on top of things! What happened to Ski, Clark Kent, and Primo? Tracks from these producers would definitely round everything out. Nevertheless, Jay-Z will continue to be the greatest rapper alive, and will always have my respect and admiration.

Here's a couple of lyrics of my main man "YOUNG"
frm the BLaCK Album...

but the real shit you get when you bust down my lines add that to the fact i went plat a bunch a times, times that by my influence on pop culture I supposed to be number 1 on everybody list let's see what happens when i no longer exist

who you gon find doper than him with no pen just draw of inspiration soon you'll see u can't you can't replace him some cheap imatation for a million generations

We rat pack niggas let sam tap dance on you then i sinatra shoot ya got damn you.... i put the boy in the box like david blane let the audience watch

Truthfully i wanna rhyme like common sense (but i did 5 now)I ain't been rhymein like common sense when your sense got that much in common and you been huslin sense your amception fuck perception go with what makes sense... sense i know what i am up against we as rappers must decide what is im-port-tent

Fresh out the frying pan back in the fire i be the music biz number 1 supplier

By any means on whenever there is a drought get yo umberalas out becasuse that is when i brainstorm

you can treat yo nose but you still wont come close the game is like a light bulb with elenventy million volts

Treat my first like my last and my last like my first and my first is the same when i came

I got dreams of holding a 9 mila the bob's killa asking em why as my eyes fill up.. these days i cant wake up with a dry pillow gon but not forgoten homles i still feel ya..so curse the day that birth the bastard who caused yo church mass reverse the crash reverse the blast and reverse the car reverse the day and there yo are
"bob lavar*?"

these lyrics is just the tip of the iceberg go get the album help my boy out holla!

Here's a couple of lyrics of my main man "YOUNG"
frm the BLaCK Album...

but the real shit you get when you bust down my lines add that to the fact i went plat a bunch a times, times that by my influence on pop culture I supposed to be number 1 on everybody list let's see what happens when i no longer exist

who you gon find doper than him with no pen just draw of inspiration soon you'll see u can't you can't replace him some cheap imatation for a million generations

We rat pack niggas let sam tap dance on you then i sinatra shoot ya got damn you.... i put the boy in the box like david blane let the audience watch

Truthfully i wanna rhyme like common sense (but i did 5 now)I ain't been rhymein like common sense when your sense got that much in common and you been huslin sense your amception fuck perception go with what makes sense... sense i know what i am up against we as rappers must decide what is im-port-tent

Fresh out the frying pan back in the fire i be the music biz number 1 supplier

By any means on whenever there is a drought get yo umberalas out becasuse that is when i brainstorm

you can treat yo nose but you still wont come close the game is like a light bulb with elenventy million volts

Treat my first like my last and my last like my first and my first is the same when i came

I got dreams of holding a 9 mila the bob's killa asking em why as my eyes fill up.. these days i cant wake up with a dry pillow gon but not forgoten homles i still feel ya..so curse the day that birth the bastard who caused yo church mass reverse the crash reverse the blast and reverse the car reverse the day and there yo are
"bob lavar*?"

these lyrics is just the tip of the iceberg go get the album help my boy out holla!

do any body know any jay-z songs like "can't get with that" that flow was butta that guy was flowin 40 words per second im feelin that track. i need some more tracks like that i still think jigga can flow that stlye but the only reson he dosesn't flow like that is becasue people wouldnt buy it and he would go broke. I like that classic flow i love to listen to tracks like that. holla at yo boy

Yo... All you kids out here talkin bout Young Sayin shit like he aint a success in the rap hip - hop buisness, J-HOVA put out the most consistant sick tracks with rhymes u cant touch. his first CD *The Reasonable Doubt* was by far the best lyrically made CD ever made, with hit tracks like Dead Presidents 2, 22 Twos, Can I Live, Aint No Nigga, And Broolyns Finest. "His Lyrics flow tight like he was born jewish" as Jigga said himself. his flow is unremarkable, which might be why they called him Jazzy Back in the day.

I say HOVA is by far the closest to BIG than any rapper. his lyrics and beats

Franco

Lemme go out on a limb here...maybe it was Jay who setup Pac and Big? thinnk about it...who else had the career motive to do it?
Just food for thought.

yo lucifer, it's disrespectful to call Big the best, despite all the potential he had, dude only had two albums. case closed. and those two albums aren't as hot as krs's first two albums, or rakim's first two, or nas's first two, etc. you can't compare his catalogue with dudes with 10 albums, you just can't. jigga is probably better, but only because he had time to mature, but even he ain't the best.

"ain't no best" - nas

we all got different tastes, the nigga to you, ain't the nigga to me, so why even go there?

Jays album is hot yet is no pre to res doubt get your game right jay and holla back with something serious to be the best album ever no doubt its been in the player for two days and two weeks to come though

Ok. After reviewing the Black album I must say. Jay is one of the best. Always been one of my top 10's. This album could have been better but it is what it is. A couple of tracks you may have to put the choke down, turn off the tv, let the screen saver come on and listen. Your boy got truth for ya. Plus. He has shined on all of our days while the industry was dropping garbage on the shelves. Jay has made his mark. He's not done. Ain't nothing better than a dollar than one more.....He'll be back.

JAY-Z better not retire cuz this album is complete garbage compared to Reasonable Doubt and Blueprint. Well, not complete, the Timbaland, 9th Wonder, and Em tracks are sick, but the two Neptune beats are horribly horrible. I can't even listen to the whole song without skipping over it. Half of these songs don't even belong on a "pre-Reasonable Doubt" cd... Justify my Thug doesn't belong (c'mon Quik, i KNOW you can make something hotter than that) What More Can I Say has a horrible hook, December 4th is somewhat annoying... where's the fire prior 96, Jay? I hope your retirement thing is a joke cuz i don't wanna remember "the greatest ecmee alive" for his last ablum dissappointment. I hope Nas makes a new album with nothing but disses to Jay, so it FORCES him to come back and drop another CD, this time worthy of being his last.

Next time get Primo and Dre on the beats, something not so damn Excuse Me Miss from the Neptunes, and hell, give me some Questlove on the drums for a bassline, cuz where the hell is the thump on Black Album aside from Timbo?

Damnit, Jay, you're the best out there, but why drop this piece of crap?

I would like to give big ups to all those's hatin on Jay-z,And do you really think it matters if yall talk shit about his album, no matter what he still gone be banking $ millions while yall at home watching him on T.V do his thing. Anyway Jay keep doing you, that's the reason why you banking CREAM and there not! And the album is non less than the rest. Hot to Def!!!!!!

So i see some of you took my advise and downloaded "I Cant Get With That" and Big L and Jay-z 7 minute freestyle. Jay-z flow was sick back in 93 thru 96, then he switched it up cause that flow wasnt making him any money cause it was going over alot of cats heads. Dont get me wrong the flow he has now is the tightest in the game, but Hova's flow back in early 90's was killing the street. I think The Black Album is the best album this year, plus this album is better if not as good as Reasonable Doubt. This album couldve been more grimey, more gutta, more street, but maybe Jay-z is retiring and he''l change his name like Pac did, he'll change his name to Hova and do this rap shit for fun like back in the early 90's. But the problem with people is no matter what Jay-z drops they always gotta complain, this album aint got 1 track focused on money, cash, or hoes, Jay-z drops alot of jewels on this album. 99 problems is gutta, and December 4th is real street shit, not about killing other cats but about Jay-z and why he is who he is. I dont think if Jay-z retires that'll be good for hip hop cause aint no one who can hold hip hop, other then Eminem ( most would disagree) but that cat aint commercial, hes probally the least commercial lyricist in the rap game right now. Nas cant hold up the rap game he can barely keep Bravehearts head above water. But maybe Jay-z will do some recruiting and get some cats who flows will make you all forget about him. Jay-z should take a vacation cause he deserves it, but retire, if he retires what are the Nas fans gonna hate on.

Listen here you fucking little bitches who dont fucking know what the hell they are talking about. For all of you who dont like Jay dont go around telling everyone he is overrated or doesnt have flow. Just listen to one of his eight albums front to back and then come and talk to me. Jay-z pisses on everyone in the rap game now, and is the greatest rapper in the game with biggie and pac. So quite writing all this bullshit when you probably have never herd a fucking Jay-z album. You pussy mother fuckers probably listen to his singles and fucking hate on him. To tell you the truth his singles piss on everything anyway so fuck all you bitches that do not know what the hell you are saying.

uhh, we all already did, Miss Easy.

Jay is one of the greatest MC's ever-hands down. It's almost an obvious remark coming from someone who has made 10 albums compared to the overated 50 cent's(who under any producer other than Dre would be no better than Puffy with a catchy delivery)-2 albums. By the way add Eminem to some of his sale numbers (also obvious). Furthermore, I do think that sometimes people have a tendancy to allow the media to blind them from what is good from not. Just because Jay-z is not a rapper who yells and grunts with some sexy thuged-out voice when he rhymes(as sought out by the females and deaf motherfuckers alike) , people misconstrue this as lacking elsewhere in the skills department. Jay has one of the illest flow ever hands down. I took a poetry class in school, and his mastery of the AB AB scheme is brilliant(acording to the scheme, alot of rappers don't know the alphabet)-and he doesnt even write the shit on paper. If you took the time to listen to Reasonable Doubt, u realize how ill it is. Take 'Can I Live' for example:"Dreams of getting cream let's do this it gets ted-i-ous,so I keep one eye open like CBS." Or take '22 twos': "Administer pain next to minister screaming your name, at your wake while I peek in look in his casket feeling sarcastic 'look at him still sleepin.'" That shit is classic right there. Better than any line in 50's entire album. I have heard the Black Album but havent yet let it settled fully. But below is a list of my favorites to OK.

Favorites
1)my 1st song (crazy)
2)december 4th (crazy)
3)allure (crazy)
4)threat
5)lucifer
6)psa
7)encore

average
1)change clothes
2)99 problems
3)what more can I say(ill beat though)
4)dirt off my
5)moment of clarity

weak
1)justify my love

My only beef with the Black Album is that it was too short...well that and "Justify my thug" but thats mostly a "Quik" thing. Overall the joint has everything, club hits to straight street. What I like the most is the absence of all other artists, the showcase is flawless, the top producers in the biz allowing Jay to do what he does.

Puff,

Brilliant analysis...couldn't agree with you more. Jay should delay the album a month and use your model for the album.

The one song that really pissed me off was Justify My Thug. Album was dope though...definitely top 3 among Jay-Z's albums...maybe better than vol 1. It's such a relief to hear the old Jay-Z again. His later Vol2&3/Blueprint/Dynasty stuff was whaaaaaaack!

Sorry Trade Man, I can't agree with Heart of the city and song cry being good Jay-Z songs...why not try Streets is Watching, Politics as Usual and Dead Presidents II.

Shane

Shane

Yeah, that's one Shane.

Shane

Man you need a little soul in your life. Song Cry not good. Come on man you can't teel me u can't relate to that song. That shit got me over a 2 year relationship.
The Blue Print is abosolute genius. I love the new album and I love the old Jay, but I'll take seasoned jay over young Jay any day. You need to go back and listen to song cry again son and heart of the city, you don't feel that.

"I don't want much fuck I drove every car, some nights cooked food, some days clean draws."

Streets is watching is one of my favorites in fact In my Life Time is my favorite out of all his albums. I've bought it like 12 times. It's my favorite rap album by any artist. If you noticed I quoted the first line from Streets is Watching in one of my replies. Whats up with this dead pres 2 thing. How is it any better then the original, whats so great about it (other then the fact that it's a Jay-Z song). You must have went back and bought the reissue version of Reasonable Doubt and thought you found some top secret track that no one's heard, trying to establish your crediblity as a Jay fan. Just tell me whats so great about it. Other then the fact that it was made by Jay. I'm gonna stop now, besides.

"A wise man once told me don't argue with fools, cause people from a distance can't tell who is who" Jay-Z Take over (The Blue Print)

Im out

Trade Man

P.S.This probbably aint the best sight to post this, but I'm a fan of all music (open minded). So for all you Pearl Jam fans out their there is new 2 disc CD coming out. With 12 never before released tracks.

Discussion Closed. That's 2 3 and 4

1 more thing I can't believe no one likes Justify my Thug. It sounds like an old Bobby Brown beat, you know off the Don't be Cruel album. Maybe ya'lls don't know. Shit most of you probbably weren't even born that shit came out. It definitely has a good 80's feel to it and that's what this album's all about right. Ya'll aint thugs or gangsters you can admit to liking it. No ones gonna make fun of you. I love that song.

Grow up

The Trade Man

The Trade Man,

No offense was intended. Sorry for coming down on your songs listed (I agree with most) but I guess I'm just not a fan of his later work. You are a bigger fan of Jay-Z than I am, but I'm surprised you suggested that I bought Reasonable Doubt after the fact...it's one of the 3 albums that I like by him. I own the original tape and CD.

The fact of the matter is before Vol 2 hit, 90% of the hiphop world hadn't even heard of Reasonable Doubt...it took a bunch of mediocre, overproduced pop albums to get hiphop heads to rediscover his more promising early work (and ppl like those on this forum to push radio shows/clubs to play the album).

After all the hype that Blueprint has received, I'll try listening to it again...can't understand your hatred towards Dead Pres II, one of the best tracks on Reasonable Doubt (isn't dead pres I on vinyl only?).

Peace.

Jay-z is the best rapper ever just by listening to one of his albums you should be able to tell that, but if if you don't think so just pop in the dynasty and listen to the intro.
detroit

Jay is the best to me. that black album is everything it should be. Rapers wont beable to rap like that till years from now. the only person you can honestly say is his level is the homie nas. After that there is know one in the game that can see him remember this: Ain't no livin person can test him
Only two restin in heaven can be mentioned in the same breath as him
Seven straight summers, critics might not admit it
But nobody in rap did it, quite like I did it
If you did it I done it before, you get I had it
Got mad at it and don't want it no more
And that goes for everything from flippin that raw
Flippin whores, flippin vocal chords, don't get it twisted
Get it right, did different, did it better, did it nice
Did the impossible then did it twice (get it right)

jay z is my idol. and the best mc on the planet. A lot of people who dont get his lyrics are people who arent able to relate. I'm from the ghetto, where your only way out is playing hoop, selling dope, or rapping. So to see that he made it puts the faith in me that I can do it. Once you're Big why not Brag. Shit he came from rags to Riches... with a dream. I bet its a lot of people right now in the cemetery who had a dream, but he made it. I would brag too!!!

yeah, who hasnt come from rags to riches? pussy. Think behind the scenes before you speak. He didn't spend time on this album, any real fan could admit that. But too many rookies in here.

All I can say is QUIK is one of the best producers of all time and too bad for y'all in the EAST that have been sleeping on phenomenal talent...my comment is especially directed to the mutha fucka who wrote this review...

Jay Z's black album is off the hook anyone who thinks other wise needs to listen to it properly!

but one thing i have to mention i know im going off the subject but the best rapper out there is still ICE CUBE!!!! aka don mega!

Yo on the real.....Black Album>>another classic...Jay is the best... how can you even be a jay-hater... his flow and everything is off the hook...who made yall editors and album reviewers yall on here explaining every track like yall can do better......point is...he's the best nobody out can mess with him..he got 9 on his shoulders and was on top all the way through.. who you know that can do that!!

Shane,

I don't hate Dead Pres 2, I don't hate any of Jay's work. I'm just wondering what makes it better then the original. Look man we all love this guy for different reasons. It's great just to read so many views that people have about him. I agree with you on the fact that most people went back and bought Reasonable Doubt after they heard his later work. Shit, the first album I owned by him was In My Lifetime. That album brought me back into rap. It took me from the Pink Floyd's and the Pearl Jams of the world and made me realize that hip hop was again worth listening too. I will forever be greatful to Jay for that. It may not be his best album, but to me it is. "Lucky Me"

Trade Man

Look here yall i love jay-z but he needs a break for being that damn sweet. he will retire like mike and come back an album and he will call it reasonable doubt2(the return of the king) i like nas and nas lost the battle nas is a writer and bitter wanna be pac jay-z dont write his shit tight. his flow is tight here is what i talking about. I came into this motherfucker a hundred grand strong
Nine to be exact, from grindin G-packs
Put this shit in motion ain't no rewindin me back
Could make 40 off a brick but one rhyme could beat that
And if somebody woulda told 'em that Hov' would sell clothin
Heh, not in this lifetime, wasn't in my right mind
That's another difference that's between me and them
Heh, I'm smarten up, open the market up
One million, two million, three million, four
In eighteen months, eighty million more
Now add that number up with the one I said before
You are now lookin at one smart black boy
Momma ain't raised no fool
Put me anywhere on God's green earth, I'll triple my worth
Motherfucker - I, will, not, lose

First I'd like to say that I've only heard the first two singles of the Black Album, which has been the song produced by the Neptunes along with, "What More Can I Say." Out of those two songs thus far I'm really feeling "What More Can I Say" because this is classic Jay-Z. He has created his own signature/style by going back in time with those hooks. The man is just simply speaking the truth while also incorporating his love and respect for other artists in the game.(Again, this is in regards to "What More Can I Say") Jay is a brilliant individual. His timing is flawless along with his voice inflections and his enunciations on words throughout his songs. To make this formula even more complex, he doesn't write any lyrics down. They are stored on his mental hard drive. Comprehend that one. PLEASE... Jay-Z is one of the best hands down. Period. One of few artists out there who can flow over any track. "When I make that statement, I mean he is he control of the beat without allowing it to control him for one second. That's talent folkz.

This is for all the Jay-Z hataz out there...
NAME FIVE ARTISTS IN THE GAME AS OF 2003 WHO CAN FLOW OVER HOVI BABY II? For those who don't know this song off the Blue Print II. I don't mean just jump in and double-dutch to the track and jump out for the hook, but FLOW OVER IT FROM BEGINNING TO END... NAME FIVE.

My favorite song is still Dead Presidents II and I'm looking forward to hearing the complete version of the Black Album

From a young brotha who listens quite well located on the WEST COAST... SACRAMENTO.

ReBirth04

Remember this name... Mr. Hustelmatic.

Heard the Black Album time and time again and here's my thoughts. First off that better not be the real intro, for Jay-Z to have his lasy album with out spittin on the intro is unfortunate. Thats what makes it acceptable or Jay's albums to be 10-14 tracks, he spits on EVERY track. As for the people who are dissapointed that its not reasonable doubt, i feel your pain, but I have come to this conculsion. When Jay said prequel he meant before reasonable doubt, tracks like Lucifer, and 99problems (convo like gimme the loot) make me think Jay was going more for the Ready to Die feel big had on his first album. The album as a whole is not the greatest. (Jay fans must be honest with themselves) Jay-Z has the problem of talking too much, he tries to manipulate people into thinking he is better than BIG and Pac and while he may be on that level, u NEVER heard them desperatly trying to be recognized. Jay-Z also talked to much by hyping this album, he may end up looking like an ass because the release date has been known for a while now, and it has to be changed, which will effect sales. His decision to release his album earlier proves Jay is not hungry, but lazy, a hungry artist would have added new tracks or something. Jay-Z has dissappointed many as the bp2 was sub par after the double disk (Biggie,pac) hype. bp2.1 was just a pitiful stunt on his part. Black album was good probably vol.3 level. As for Jay-Z retiring, its either laziness or he is scared. Why should he retire, poets dont retire, this isnt basketball, look at Will Smith, LL Cool J, to retire (except if ur mase) is ridiculous. But Jay-Z is that n*gga and his every move is mimicked this will definetly be Jay-Z starting another bad trend. Got love for Jay-Z but ive learned not to trust him.

P.S. there should be something inn rap where u must work cite ur quote

"My sickermore style more sicker thank yours" -BIG

"Gloria Carter and Adinous Reeves made love uner the sickermore tree which makes me a more sicker MC." -Jay-Z

First of all, I refuse to download or bootleg this album before it comes out because I am a diehard Jay-Z fan. But from what I've read It seems to me that "change clothes and go" is to the black album what "bonnie and clyde" was to Blueprint 2, am I right?

minithin

what the fuck u sayin? how the hell u gonna say bow wow got hotter tracks than jay-z? do u even listen to anything besides the beats? get your mind rite...i mean if u been listening to stictly underground than u know that its about the lyrics and skills right? u just a jay-z hater...don't want to accept the fact that he got the skills. i can't even believed u put bow wow and jay-z in the same sentence..do u even know what compelling means? ignorant bastard...and i got mad love for nas, but why did it take "the take-over" for nas to try to re-establish himself as an mc?
and u even said u don't know nothing about shoppin rocks...but know what sells. man, u sayin jay-z doesn't know how to sell. like his albums ain't sold no units. i see u tryin to make beats, but it takes more than beats to make a song...jay-z must be lame cause every album he puts out goes platinum...even his un-plugged shit went gold.
and since u got so much love for kazaa, go back to it and download that s.carter collection mixtape...jay just proves he can kill any beat at any given time...

The average American watches an average of 5 hours worth of average shows on an average day.

When not watching TV, it is safe to say these same people arelistening to -- on average -- some very average hip hop.

A-men

Dude listen to you comparing The Black Album to his other albums. The man aint gonna put out the same shit everytime. Artists grow and chang. You just have to except the change or not like the artist. Whats so great about Jay. his is versatility. Every album he has written has had a different feel to it. To say that it's on a Vol.3 level is awesome. There hasn't been an album better since Vol.3 unless it was written by Jay. So thats the Dynasty and the Two Blue Prints. Volume 3 was a great album. But my real point his why don't you compare The Black Album to some one else's album. Instead of putting down the mans work because it's not as good as his other work. That's like telling Picaso that you didn't like his Blue period because it wasn't as good as his earlier abstract work. See what I'm saying. In my book the next Jay-Z Album is the best one. So for right now The Black Album is the best until he comes back to top that.

I'm not even gonna comment on the Bow WOw statement. Thats just pure ignorance.

The Trade Man

No one seems aware of the real issue: people have been so brainwashed by the media that they think Jay-Z is their best friend or something.

People act as if Jay-Z needs to be "defended". The man has so much money that he can retire at whatever young age he is and never have to worry about a thing. Jay-Z is neither an underdog, nor a victim, nor a political cause.

When you spend this much effort defending a person you don't even know, it brings an old saying to mind...

"Fantasy is reality in the world today."

Great album in my opinion, would scrap change clothes but thats it. Justify my thug isnt so bad, beat is fine just has a weird chorus. Lucifer is absolutly amazing really makes me believe that a rapper can surprise me even after a long career. Lots of memorable lines, all in all asking for any more of this album would be selfish.

And im sure its not the last Jay material we will here even if he dosnt drop a new album, so dont fret.

As I read some of the comments on this page I can't help to realize that there are a lot of haters. Give the man his dues as one of Hip-Hops' most consistant artists. This is going to be his 8th real solo album and he is still hot. Can anyone tell me who else has been that hot. Many of the greatest to do anything ranging from sports to literature have had hater just like some of yall. Stop being in denial and accept Him. He is truly the GOD MC!!!!!!!!! One Yourself.

I'm content with album the way it is, but does anybody know if the real version is going to be any different. Let me know

Trade Man

I see what your saying, but lets keep it real. For one Jay-Z brought about the comparisons. The man implied he was taking it back to Reasonable Doubt...of course im gonna compare his works! My comparing his albums only makes sense, he himself says that every album is supposed to be better than his last, thus making the black albumm his best album which is false. You want me to compare his album to other peoples, fine:the Black Album is not on the level of any of Biggie's albums, and im not a Nas fan and God's Son is better than it. I wasn't trying to bash his album, cause its nice, but a comparison is inevitable. Honestly after hearing this album I wanted with all my heart to be able to say "Jay still got it" This album has not allowed me to say that...Its the last hurrah supposedly and Jay shoulda went out harder, i'm not mad at him, but it proves he's more than human, so he can cut all the "hova" stuff, and so can you...

Comparisons (rankings)

1. Reasonable Doubt
2.Blueprint
3.Vol 1
4.Vol 2
5.Vol.3/Black Album
6.Best of Both world's
7.Dynasty
8.Gift and The Curse

Listen to it a few more times buddy.

Before I start my spiel, I gotta say that I've only read about half the comments posted. I'm sure I missed a bunch of good ones that already said what I wanna say, but fuck it, here goes:

Jay-Z is good but he's definitely not the best. I can easily name several lyricists that could run Jigga to the ground. You gotta start with Pac and Biggie, of course; beyond them, Eminem, Nas, Cannabis and Taleb Kwali (not necessarily in that order) all come to mind. "Renegades" with Eminem, in my mind, is his best work as far as flow goes.

Without a doubt, Hova has a talent for finding the big beat with the big producer. But beyond that and some better-than-mediocre flow, Jay's done. He's like Diddy: great for media and glamor, and has done worlds for the rap game, but on his own is outwitted and outmatched by the superiors.

I stick to the God's son as the best lyricist today.

yo, jigga is ill fo sho. he ain't the best at nothin tho, pacs got the best written and big l's got the best freestyle, in my opinion. so really jus mediocre.

This goes in part to one of yall named drew who said that theres no artist who has put out more classic cuts more consistently. Are you out of your mind?? Bouncy club cuts are NOT classics, and thats all Jay has been producing for years. The Blueprint and reasonable doubt are his only good albums. period!! All the rest is sell-out shit!! I can't believe theres people here who don't see that. If you want classics, listen to Nas, Biggie, Pac, and a whole lot of other MC's who have put out many more classics than Joe Camel. Jay isn't hip-hop, he's hip-pop.

and then the fat boys break up, now every day I wake up , somebody got supp'm to say....
yow I listen this song and "You don't know" every day, cuz one gives u a feelin of never givin up and the other jus states how life is. Jay Hova, hope you come back to crank out more inspirational tunes. we need ur general knowledge of how to live this life. all haters can lick the dirt off his S.Carters. hope we get some more hov...

that goes for varun... little punk

Big is dead and so is Pac. Sorry their not coming back. I'm tired of everybody riding their jock because they died. It's the Kurt Cobain syndrome. They were brilliant MC's, but if they didn't die they wouldn't get half the respect. Shit in my book Easy is better then both of them, but I'm old school like that so don't listen to me. Read the new XXL mag, Jay don't even listen to rap that much. He listens to Cold Play and shit. It's a great interview check it out.

WHO THE HELL SAID THAT JAY Z ONLY HAS 2 HOT ALBUMS.AS YOU CAN TELL HE/SHE IS A REAL TUPAC ASS OR BIGGIE ASS HOLE. THEY ARE ALREADY DEAD GET OVER IT PEOPLE. JIGGA AND NAS ARE THE HARDES MC'S RIGHT NOW AND THERE IS NONE OTHER GREATER THAN THEM. JAY HAS MADE THE ILLEST CLUB HITS. YEA IKNOW NAS I TIGHT AND HE HAS BETTER LYRICS THAN JIGGA BUT NOT MUCH PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR THAT TODAY ALL THEY SEEM TO BE INTERESTED IN IS A TIGHT ASS BEAT AND SOME GOOD WORDS TO GO WITH IT. HELLO PPL I THINK THAT THATS THE REASON WHY JAY Z HAS MORE MONEY THAN NAS...LOL LOL. THE BLUEPRINT WAS ALRIGHT BUT THE BLUEPRINT 2 WAS MUCH TIGHTER. THAT ALBUM REASONABLE DOUBT AND VOL2 WAS THE BEST JAY Z ALBUMS EVER. THE DYNASTY WAS A BUNCH OF SHIT SORRY

If you all really considered Jay-Z fans, then why download the album instead of buying the real copy. That takes away all reasoning for buying the album, which is supposedly is his last. Jay is the greatest of all-time( including pac and big, though I love both.) My list of the greatest of all-time is as follows

1. Jay-Z
2.Outkast
3.2pac
4.Biggie
5.Big Pun
6.Eminem

All you Jay haters need to stop, and all Jay fans should buy the album if you are really a Jay fan, WHAT MORE CAN I SAY!

Fuck Jay-Z...

I wanna see what Jay BOOGIE thinks about all these stoopid comments.

Is this like the web version of a street team? Are you people being paid to write all this dumb shit??

Every other comment is saying shit like... "There was no way I could read all these comments, but I just wanted to throw in my worthless two cents because Jay-Z is my hero... blah... blah..."

If this were the Stink Zone, I would just shut this down. It is simply unreadable.

I donate to the Jay-Z fund every year, more then once. I've rebought so many of his albums its not even funny. I probbably own a small part of rocafella or something. I can't wait til Friday so I can get the real thing even if it is the same.

Yo Yo Im from streets yo. we get it how we get. Im real yo. savin my dollas for the fam. nigga tryin survive out here yo. this is real. jay allright but pac yo thats the real. yo all probibly white boys r somthin tryin to talk nowledge like you know but you dont.

gangsta

I think Jay is aiight... I never really felt his shit like that tho- I heard prolly 4 or 5 of his albums...n I jus dont feel it but I respect his consistency and what he's done... Like Jay Smooth said i can take small doses of Jay but I get sick of him... N people sayin only ones better are Big n Pac and their dead...??? Please... jus cuz somebody sells a lot of records dont make me the most talented... In most cases it does but in Tragedy Khadafi's case- prolly the illest out there, most underrated too- duke is a genius. Go pick up Still Reportin or Against All Odds...1

all i gotta say is "i blew breath to you midgets, i gave life to the game, its only right i got the right to be king" jay-z "the watcher 2". when will all you stop hating and give this man his much deserved peops?

When will YOU turn 9 years old?

I think only the White Stripes post got such a big response. I hope so many people post that nobody's comments ever get read, except by the desperate jay-Z fans who are posting here.

May you dwell in obscurity, unlike your hero Jay-Z.

I don't hate on Jay-Z... I feel sorry for his fans.

Damn Jay-Z must really be the shit. You don't even like him and you've posted like five comments.

Watch 60 minutes

Trade Man

Your command of logic is staggering. If you read my comments, then you would see that my point has nothing to do with Jay-Z. I am saying that his fans are stupid.

I actually enjoy the music of Jay-Z, but that is beside the point.

So basically your saying your an idiot like the rest of us.

There are hundreds -- if not thousands -- of message boards where people discuss whether so and so rapper is better than some other rapper. Or whether so and so is being hated on. And all other manner of inane "Hi-fidelity" Top 10 list type stuff. Look, I do it too sometimes.

I'm not dissing people personally, I'm saying go somewhere else if you wanna argue about dumb shit. I've seen message boards overrun by this sort of thing and we I see it... I'm gonna call it like I see it.

And I'm not wasting my time here... maybe at least one person will realize that it is completely pointless to argue this sort of thing. Jay Smooth (er, I said Jay Boogie up above... duh... see i'm an idiot too, right?)... er, Jay Smooth even said it is all about personal taste. And when people aren't even reading each other's comments.... what's the point? And anyone who has read this entire thread is an idiot. I guess, myself included. You got me, big shot. No go back to SOHH.com or wherever you came from.

First off I came on this sight to read reviews. Apparently it turned out to be more then a review page. It turned into to a friendly discussion/debate. Then the Web police (eric) comes in and tells everyone not to write any more. Eric: "Don't communicate on the internet." What a nerd.

You are right though. This sight has been overrun. Overrun by your dumb ass comments about Jay-Z fans. You came to a review page about Jay-Z what did you expect. Funny thing is you've posted more comments then probbably anyone on here. Yeah I've been taking up some space.

Truth be told I think your motive for writing this garbage isn't what you say it is. It's not to get people off this site. Its to get people to write back to you. Your just happy that some one is responding to your dumb ass. Oh yeah what the fuck is SOHH.com. Is that some computer nerd dis or something.

Trade Man

P.S. Hope it wasn't to long, don't want to kill any digital trees or anythin.

First off I came on this sight to read reviews. Apparently it turned out to be more then a review page. It turned into to a friendly discussion/debate. Then the Web police (eric) comes in and tells everyone not to write any more. Eric: "Don't communicate on the internet." What a nerd.

You are right though. This sight has been overrun. Overrun by your dumb ass comments about Jay-Z fans. You came to a review page about Jay-Z what did you expect. Funny thing is you've posted more comments then probbably anyone on here. Yeah I've been taking up some space.

Truth be told I think your motive for writing this garbage isn't what you say it is. It's not to get people off this site. Its to get people to write back to you. Your just happy that some one is responding to your dumb ass. Oh yeah what the fuck is SOHH.com. Is that some computer nerd dis or something.

Trade Man

P.S. Hope it wasn't to long, don't want to kill any digital trees or anythin.

First off I came on this sight to read reviews. Apparently it turned out to be more then a review page. It turned into to a friendly discussion/debate. Then the Web police (eric) comes in and tells everyone not to write any more. Eric: "Don't communicate on the internet." What a nerd.

You are right though. This sight has been overrun. Overrun by your dumb ass comments about Jay-Z fans. You came to a review page about Jay-Z what did you expect. Funny thing is you've posted more comments then probbably anyone on here. Yeah I've been taking up some space.

Truth be told I think your motive for writing this garbage isn't what you say it is. It's not to get people off this site. Its to get people to write back to you. Your just happy that some one is responding to your dumb ass. Oh yeah what the fuck is SOHH.com. Is that some computer nerd dis or something.

Trade Man

P.S. Hope it wasn't to long, don't want to kill any digital trees or anythin.

I ain't no Jay Z fan but you got to give the nigga some fucking credit. He comes up with hot shit every time. Reasonable doubt with D'evils, Dead Presidents, and feeling it are tight. Especially when Jigga says "9 to 5 is how to survive, I ain't trying to survive
I'm trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot, Life ills, poison my body"
that shit is crazzzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyyyy. 22 twos is a ill track too. Since Reasonable Doubt he has come up with song like "This Can't Be Life" "A Week Ago" "Coming of Age (Da Sequel)" and some other dope shit. I ain't a fan but nigga deserves for the hot shit. Tupac fan forever but can't hate on Jay Z.

P.S.
Look for a track with him and joe buddens going at it, even thoug Jay lost he said some dope shit. "you aint no athlete, you shawn bradely" Dammnnnnnnnnnn.

Philly, showing love for GOD MC

my point exactly

actually my motivation is to vent, pure and simple. i'm also seeing if anyone is actually communicating here, or if this is simply a place where people post things, but don't actually read what anyone else has said.

Basically, my work is computers. I take little diversions to break up the monotony. Hiphopmusic.com is one of the few places where there is something resembling intelligent hip hop commentary. And when I see dumb shit... I call it. Simple as that. Sure, maybe I am wasting my time. But I also type about 100 wpm, and that means this took me about a minute to write.

oh and... if my intention was to strike up a conversation... i guess it worked. unfortunately for you, it wasn't my intention. peace...

Yo computer wiz shut up duke! The Trade man as already picked you a part. Pac for life.

G money

to all of the jay z fans...why do u have the album already? if you really loved him, then u woulda bought the actual album instead of bootleggin, hahhahahaha

Gangsta, first dude, u just typed about 200 words to say a sentence. Secondly, if u are so gangsta and strapped for every dollar u have, why aren't u hustlin or workin instead of typin messages in a jay z forum?? Prioritize fam. Aside from that, The Black Album is another well rounded, well produced cd coupled with hov's one of a kind ingenious flow. He's simply untouchable, and to hail from the projects... He said it best himself. "I came in the game not beggin niggas pardon, demandin yall respect, hand over a check." Even if you don't respect or like him as an artist, you have to respect him as a man. And gangsta, whether u dribble out that muthafucka, rap metaphors or riddle out that muthafucka, I hope u find a way to get up out that muthafucka, the hood that is, my brotha. One Love Yall

You know it really pisses me off when people dis jay-z music, because that is what it is beautiful music. i read all the dissing comments and i have one question- If u don't like jay-z who do you like? be serious u can't biggie if u don't like jay. any of the new breed of rappers (50 cent, fab,ludacris, nelly) can't hold a candle to him, but yet and still u want to hate. look, if u listen to lyrics there is no way jay-z ain't nice. If u don't like rappers talking about money u can't listen to rap PERIOD. EVERY RAPPER WHO IS CONSIDERED THE BEST HAS TALKED ABOUT BEING A PIMP, HUSTLER, AND BALLER WHAT IS SO DIFFERENT WHEN JAY-Z SAYS IT. But if pac, or biggie said the same shit that jay-z has said nobody would hate on them. Personally u guys(haters) are the real reason majority of rap sucks right now. U have never LISTENED to an entire jay-z album u have just heard it. Then u hate on him but say some shit like Stunt 101 is hot. I'm not hating any rappers Stunt 101 is hot but if u don't like when jay-z talks about balling how can u like any rapper talking about it.(PAC, BIGGIE,OR NAS).

Dahurt just broke it down.

Yo Doogie Howser you win man. Frankly I'm just sick of arguing with an idiot.

Does any one have the real album yet. I want to know if its any different. I can't buy it until tommorrow. Let me know

The Trade Man

Yes, The black album is good but I'm still scratching my head why he settled for pharrell over primo? I did enjoy the black album but it's not reasonable doubt of blueprint where Jay went back to his underground tactics on both of those albums. Here, it's mixture of mainstream and underground and how is change clothes and go refering back to his resonable doubt days that Jay stated? Any way black album is good.

Might sound crazy n whatever- but people got differet opinions n different tastes..... welcome to the real world-

so if someone dont like jay dont ask why or try to persuade him to like him- does it mean that much to ya'll that someone dont like ya fav. artist, you gotta argue wit them n try to tell them they should? if it does..yall need some help or somethin

1

Eric doesnt know jack shit about rap.
I'm not even done there, u pussy whiteboy.
thats even worse than bein' your neighbors fuckin chunk.
Bite the curb bitch!
Fuck words, let's use weapons.

hah ah. i say that shit just clowning, ...

Ahiyo, My turn?

This could be used for networking. I bet I could get a deal yo,
I had this one rhyme but some fuck might steal it.

So cold you step out n get steel toed, shits the flow from the C.O.
"i gets drunk and hang-glide on subway train rides, and write my name on every blank side."
"skip skool, barely went to class, thinkin shits' cool"

your a fuckin chump, eric aint got nuts or a tree stump.
fucking cunt, i came up from the drain, and down from a train, but your lookin at me like i'm an Arab on a plane.
Come with this cause i dont have that?
Fuck rap, here's my notebook, u can have that.

Jay-z, Jay-z There's an enigma to this man. It's like we worship a jay-z we will never meet. The braggadocio man who spits on wax, acts shy and laid back in interviews. Is this what he does "to keep the registers ringing." Many of us think we know him, but in all actuality we don't. The man who invented talking about platinum chains in a way no one else could, gets blamed for the bling-bling era when it was supposed to be his niche. Now every rapper has mentioned a line or two about their ice. Who takes the blame for a fallen army, the General. Do we see a Gaudy, flashy Jay-z in public, or haven't we seen a jay with a wwjd bracelet on. Many us like a Jay-z that we think no one else knows about. You guessed it. "Streets is watching Jay" , "Gutter Jay". Can Jay-z make another Reasonable Doubt-sure- but will it ever happen -NO- Can he make an album just as good that is the real question. Times and evolution has changed with S. dot, no more excessive mafia spitten ridden lines. We can expect maturity, life telling lines about his inner soul and thoughts. Us "real" jayz fans all know what he is capable of. We see "girl girls girls" and I just wanna love you as marketing. But Our life lessons come from "Where i'm From" and Meet the parents. We look at Jay-z as our black president a