2008 Woodie Awards
Veteran rapper sets standards
Andrew Reeves
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: Gallery
- Page 1 of 1
One Tuesday night a few months back, four friends and I took a venture up to Mexican Villa. On the way up, we popped in the new Jay-Z album released Nov. 21, Kingdom Come, and we soon found ourselves bouncing to that oh so familiar, signature Jay-Z sound. We were a sight for our onlookers. That sort of thing should be illegal for four white kids from nowhere, Missouri who typically listen to smart punk or indie rock.
On first listen, the album sets forth with that typical Jay-Z urgency. Driving drum loops collapse into melodic synth convulsions, all overlaid with the crisp drawl of our beloved frontman's subtle, but brilliant, syncopation. But I found myself halfway through the record thinking (forgive me), "Oh yeah, been there, done that." It takes in-depth listening to catch some of the addicting bites the Jay-Z lover's tongue will be wagging for.
A distinct "99 problems" track isn't present, but rightfully so. What we have here is an artist who has consistently been able to set himself apart from any other performer in his genre, album after album, and Kingdom is no different.
Once again, the bar has been reset and the typical hip-hop album stereotype blown apart. The album hosts a cast with the likes of John Legend, Chris Martin from Coldplay, Usher and Pharrell, not to mention a production staff including Kanye West and Dr. Dre. The anticipation and expectations are obviously high.
The innovation both musically and lyrically remains unrivaled by any other hip-hop album; and notice the term used: innovation.
For the typical Jay-Z listener this comes as no surprise, which is exactly why this album warrants an overlook. It will not catch your ear immediately, but with an A-list crew, a track produced and performed with Coldplay and Jay-Z behind the wheel taking you into a lyrically uncharted territory, the record is a guaranteed mind-blower for the acute listener and will hopefully cause the music world to turn its head.
This is an artist working through thematic ideas and a conceptualism absent to the hip-hop / rap community up to this point. Not only do we have smart, level-headed and emotionally compelling political flares, but paired with them are a few religious / spiritual overtones. The depth doesn't end with beat for once.
All things considered, the album will rattle you early on into thinking, "Retirement? What retirement?" and will come to a close with Jay-Z himself nodding his head and smirking in agreement.
Once again, the famed hip-hop rebel has pushed the walls of his own genre and thrown them into others. Bringing the complexity of a career miraculously right along side those pulsing, straightforward beats that can even make a midwest, white kid bob his head.
Disclaimer: Although not brainless, this album does contain explicit content and is not recommended for those easily offended
On first listen, the album sets forth with that typical Jay-Z urgency. Driving drum loops collapse into melodic synth convulsions, all overlaid with the crisp drawl of our beloved frontman's subtle, but brilliant, syncopation. But I found myself halfway through the record thinking (forgive me), "Oh yeah, been there, done that." It takes in-depth listening to catch some of the addicting bites the Jay-Z lover's tongue will be wagging for.
A distinct "99 problems" track isn't present, but rightfully so. What we have here is an artist who has consistently been able to set himself apart from any other performer in his genre, album after album, and Kingdom is no different.
Once again, the bar has been reset and the typical hip-hop album stereotype blown apart. The album hosts a cast with the likes of John Legend, Chris Martin from Coldplay, Usher and Pharrell, not to mention a production staff including Kanye West and Dr. Dre. The anticipation and expectations are obviously high.
The innovation both musically and lyrically remains unrivaled by any other hip-hop album; and notice the term used: innovation.
For the typical Jay-Z listener this comes as no surprise, which is exactly why this album warrants an overlook. It will not catch your ear immediately, but with an A-list crew, a track produced and performed with Coldplay and Jay-Z behind the wheel taking you into a lyrically uncharted territory, the record is a guaranteed mind-blower for the acute listener and will hopefully cause the music world to turn its head.
This is an artist working through thematic ideas and a conceptualism absent to the hip-hop / rap community up to this point. Not only do we have smart, level-headed and emotionally compelling political flares, but paired with them are a few religious / spiritual overtones. The depth doesn't end with beat for once.
All things considered, the album will rattle you early on into thinking, "Retirement? What retirement?" and will come to a close with Jay-Z himself nodding his head and smirking in agreement.
Once again, the famed hip-hop rebel has pushed the walls of his own genre and thrown them into others. Bringing the complexity of a career miraculously right along side those pulsing, straightforward beats that can even make a midwest, white kid bob his head.
Disclaimer: Although not brainless, this album does contain explicit content and is not recommended for those easily offended
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