* Allow me to say that I am a Jigga fan, own his entire commercial catalogue and watched his career grow from when he was sidekick to Jaz. The following comments are my frustrations...* Family,
Who is this new Shawn Carter? This dude that is out today isn't the Jay-Z I fell in love with. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know. You have to grow up eventually and take off the hoodie, get committed with your woman and put a suit on. I get that. You have to start handling that B.I. I get that! But this need to be wanted and loved all the freaking time is killing me. What happened to the cat that said, "if you don't like me, fine, pay me no mind.?" Where's the cat that didn't give a shi*??
When Jay-Z released his swan song, "The Black Album," he was on top. He had the"baddest chick in the game wearing his chain", lyrically couldn't be touched (sans Nas, of course), multiple Grammy award winner and was the most commercially successful and viable hip-hop artist of the time. There was nothing left for him to prove. We all foolishly believed that Jay-Z would be content on becoming the next Russell Simmons or Clive Davis. Unfortunately for us, he caved into his artistic jones, fan adoration and a need to be relevant as a lyricist and came back out of retirement.
Since this "re-emergence", Jay has released the god awful "Kingdom Come" and a mediocre "American Gangster" inspired soundtrack. I mean, even the selection of people who get a Jay-Z verse has fallen. When Uncle Murda gets a Jay-Z verse, something is wrong with the world.
Who is this new Shawn Carter? This dude that is out today isn't the Jay-Z I fell in love with. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know. You have to grow up eventually and take off the hoodie, get committed with your woman and put a suit on. I get that. You have to start handling that B.I. I get that! But this need to be wanted and loved all the freaking time is killing me. What happened to the cat that said, "if you don't like me, fine, pay me no mind.?" Where's the cat that didn't give a shi*??
When Jay-Z released his swan song, "The Black Album," he was on top. He had the"baddest chick in the game wearing his chain", lyrically couldn't be touched (sans Nas, of course), multiple Grammy award winner and was the most commercially successful and viable hip-hop artist of the time. There was nothing left for him to prove. We all foolishly believed that Jay-Z would be content on becoming the next Russell Simmons or Clive Davis. Unfortunately for us, he caved into his artistic jones, fan adoration and a need to be relevant as a lyricist and came back out of retirement.
Since this "re-emergence", Jay has released the god awful "Kingdom Come" and a mediocre "American Gangster" inspired soundtrack. I mean, even the selection of people who get a Jay-Z verse has fallen. When Uncle Murda gets a Jay-Z verse, something is wrong with the world.
Jay-Z also pimped Def Jam. Yes, I know...Def Jam is but a mere husk of what it used to be when Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles were there. I get it. BUT....we expected you to make a difference there, Jay. While he did have a hand in discovering stars Ne-Yo, Jeezy, Rick Ross and Rihanna, vets like Method Man, Redman, Ghostface Killah, new signees The Roots and a host of very viable and relevant artists were languishing in record purgatory. The energy spent on making Rihanna a star could have been better spent making LL's new album a classic. For the most part, he pretty much shi* on everyone, made his cash and bounced.
During his so-called absence, T.I., Lil' Wayne and ironically, two of his own signees, Rick Ross and Young Jeezy became superstars. His protege, Kanye West has become the teacher rather than the "teachee", dropping a stellar follow-up (Graduation) and flipping the fashion and video world on it's heels. Jay couldn't stand the fact that his protege was outshining him. Next thing we know, Jay is wearing nerd glasses, trenchcoats and loving Coldplay. (LOL!) IMHO, I think Kanye will eventually be the Jay-Z killer because he's larger than rap and is extremely talented on a variety of fronts. But that's another blog.
So how exactly is Jay playing himself and destroying his legacy?
Jay-Z (imho) has watered down the importance of a "Jay-Z verse". Now before you call me the "Devil Incarnate," hear me out. I recall just a few years back that obtaining a Jay-Z verse was like finding a pink diamond. You just didn't find one or obtain one easily. To have Jay-Z verse on your track, was the equivalent of having a Dr. Dre cut. You got one when you were deemed worthy to even travel in his hemisphere. You didn't just get a verse from Jay-Z , you had to prove your mettle, have something bankable to reciprocate or be a Roc-A-Fella artist, plain and simple. It seems that today, in order for him to stay relevant amongst the Plies, Jeezys, T.I.s, Weezys and etc., Mr. Carter has opted to "whore" himself to everyone. These days, Jay-Z has adopted the Busta Rhymes method of lyrical over saturation. While this method has worked gangbusters for Bussa Bus, it makes Jay-Z and his stature a lil' less shiny.
During his so-called absence, T.I., Lil' Wayne and ironically, two of his own signees, Rick Ross and Young Jeezy became superstars. His protege, Kanye West has become the teacher rather than the "teachee", dropping a stellar follow-up (Graduation) and flipping the fashion and video world on it's heels. Jay couldn't stand the fact that his protege was outshining him. Next thing we know, Jay is wearing nerd glasses, trenchcoats and loving Coldplay. (LOL!) IMHO, I think Kanye will eventually be the Jay-Z killer because he's larger than rap and is extremely talented on a variety of fronts. But that's another blog.
So how exactly is Jay playing himself and destroying his legacy?
Jay-Z (imho) has watered down the importance of a "Jay-Z verse". Now before you call me the "Devil Incarnate," hear me out. I recall just a few years back that obtaining a Jay-Z verse was like finding a pink diamond. You just didn't find one or obtain one easily. To have Jay-Z verse on your track, was the equivalent of having a Dr. Dre cut. You got one when you were deemed worthy to even travel in his hemisphere. You didn't just get a verse from Jay-Z , you had to prove your mettle, have something bankable to reciprocate or be a Roc-A-Fella artist, plain and simple. It seems that today, in order for him to stay relevant amongst the Plies, Jeezys, T.I.s, Weezys and etc., Mr. Carter has opted to "whore" himself to everyone. These days, Jay-Z has adopted the Busta Rhymes method of lyrical over saturation. While this method has worked gangbusters for Bussa Bus, it makes Jay-Z and his stature a lil' less shiny.
I also feel that Jay is internally battling Lil' Wayne's current dominance. Although he will never show it, I sincerely believe that Jay-Z is beginning to worry about his importance to the younger fans. Truth be told, the "Millenials" care less and less about Jay. I would say that they view Lil' Wayne as the "new Jay" in terms of stature and relevance.
I am curious to see how you guys feel about this subject...
Cap-D
I am curious to see how you guys feel about this subject...
Cap-D
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