Jay-Z
4:44
8/10
In 21 years of competing within the sport of hip-hop, it is safe to say that Jay-Z has left a huge footprint while also finding new roads into other lanes. Many of these lanes include establishing labels where he signed one the biggest names in J. Cole, clothing lines, and his more recent endeavor a streaming service by the name of TIDAL. However, more importantly, it has been his ability to inspire others to explore lanes while also staying true to the art of hip-hop that has been his biggest accomplishment. Now in 2017 hip-hop’s most successful figure has returned with his first album in 4 years titled 4:44. While many would have chosen to stay away from the mic especially when they are heading towards the age of 50, Jay-Z would rather get back in the booth because he has something to say. Thus, 4:44 is a project that discusses the personal life of a man who sets out to write his wrongs, while also pressing the issues on corporations and many of his younger contemporaries. A project that many of his fans have wanted ever since the Brooklyn rapper made his way out of a short retirement in 2006. During this second stint, many have been left with disappointing solo projects that have been either decent or just lacked the replay of many of his earlier gems like Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and The Black Album. You can make the case that American Gangster was his only good project in that time because it felt as if Jay-Z was comfortable discussing topics that he lived through before his days of a rapper. And while Watch the Throne was a great project it was a collaborative piece and I can also make the case that Jay himself rode the coattail of his biggest contemporary now turned adversary. Anyways, 4:44 shuts up the doubters like me who even questioned whether this project would be any good.
Kill Jay Z kicks the album off as Jay himself begins to spill out many of his wrongs from third person. He also seems to take subliminal shots at his former friend Kanye West whom recently expressed his frustrations about the Jay and the dying brotherhood between them. While I did not want to go into the relationship between the two I just want to note that in some instances I do side with Kanye. Why you may ask, because it seems that Kanye may feel that he has been indirectly condemned by someone who he has put on the highest of pedestals. Whether it is because of his recent antics, his marriage, or financial disputes it seems like one side seems to throw shade at the other without coming speaking about it toe to toe. Because we all know If its anyone who Kanye will listen it’s the man who he has the upmost respect for.
On The Story of O.J. we find Jay-Z giving back to his younger contemporaries by spilling out bars that contain knowledge on how to manage funds and avoid hectic lifestyles. Jay-Z also goes on to mention how other demographics can manage money and carry wealth is through taking chances and being smart. Here I feel he is also giving advice to African-Americans who in fact are never really born with anything passed down to them but trauma. The hook along with the sample play hand and hand with one another. Both discuss issues regarding the different shades that African-Americans typically possess and what each of them meant. The sample comes from the song “Four Women” by Nina Simone as tells a story of four black women who possess different skin tones and how they viewed white society as well as their own black society. Good move on Jay’s part as this issue still plague’s the black community today.
Jay-Z begins to get personal on the song Smile, here he goes into depth on his mother and her sexuality. Jay also mentions details about his career within its earlier parts as he was being counted out. However, he seems to bring up that it is not where he started but it’s how he has finished. At the end of the song the listener can get the point that the overall theme of the track is to know that all bad memories can turn to good ones in due time. The track closes with spoken word piece performed from Gloria Carter the mother of Jay-Z as she talks about being free and no longer living in the shadows. She also mentions how there is so little time left, so we might as well love who we want. Marcy Me is another song where Jay seems to go back into memory lane back when resided in the Marcy projects within Brooklyn. While he does explore his past, room is made as he pays homage to the guys who came before him.
The issue of bad business is tackled on Caught Their Eyes a track which features Frank Ocean. Jay-Z goes on to exploit individuals of certain corporations who seem to get over others in deals within the music industry. One name drop is the managers of the late great Prince who passed away last year. The self-titled track 4:44 and Family Feud is where we begin to get a vulnerable Jay-Z. On these two tracks, he goes introspective by discussing his infidelities and how he let his wife Beyoncé down who later makes her appearance. Things get deeper as he begins to mention how it can be hectic for his child Blu as she can see and hear what is going on through the media and internet. Jay himself hopes that this does not affect how she sees him.
Bam with Damian Marley is a cool banger that offers a nice reggae inspired beat and nice vocals from Marley himself. Jay-Z seems to rap about many rappers who pose like they are tough guys on their songs and social media sites. On Moonlight Jay seems to also go at rappers by saying that even when they think they're winning they really are coming up short. This is a play on the title of the track as the film Moonlight was told it lost the academy award for best picture to La La Land when It was the reality it was the winner. To some this seemed like a back handed compliment and all people would ever remember is the controversy behind whoever the winner is. Many rappers who come up only see a deal as a sign of wealth. However, there are more things within the deal itself that can affect the artist and if they choose not to read closely they can come up short in time. Jay-Z seems to have seen it all and does not want artist to suffer the fate of others who have fallen.
The last song Legacy is easily the best on the album. Jay-Z speaks on life after he passes and leaving wealth for his family and making sure they don’t make mistakes. Like he touched on his mother, Jay also makes room to talk about his father as well. Here he references how his father was a preacher and how he preached the word of god but seemed to have demons of his own. Thus, Jay seemed to doubt religion and search for other ways of spirituality as he began to witness his father’s demons firsthand. In the end, he uses this hurt to further his hustle to provide for his family and to leave a bigger and better future for them Blu and the twins.
In an era. that’s seen the good, bad, and the ugly of hip hop releases, Jay-Z manages to find himself on the positive end of the spectrum with a grown man’s album. While some listeners may stray away due to the lack of bangers or catchy flows, others will find solace from the vivid and transparent imagery within each and every track. 4:44 is a reminder to everyone that even the brightest of stars can make mistakes and that we are all human at the end of the day. However, it is our resilience to triumph and live to tell the world so they won’t make the same mistakes is key. Therefore, 4:44 is one of the more significant albums in a discography of one of music’s biggest icons.
