The Black Album
By: Jay-Z
Price: $8.37
If The Black Album is truly Jay-Z last statement before retirement, he goes at least from near the top of his game. While it is probably not as his best album "The Black Album will be recalled, his personal to date and has some of its compelling writing. Jay-Z is defiant and defensive here - he is trying to make sure that is his legacy correctly recognized, although he will be a little too heavy-handed at times. Yet he is seldom or sharply insightful in his rhymes, uncovering his own childhood struggles on songs like "4 December, "while on his haters hit with" What More Can I Say "and the cutting" Threat. "Long-time employees Jay-Z Just Blaze and Kanye West churn out excellent production, especially Blaze, whose beats for" 4 December "and" Public Service Announcement "are among the best album. Newcomers Aqua and the Buchanans represent well, but Eminem's minor-drone for" Moment of Clarity "is stuck in mediocrity. Jay could Fade to Black, after this one But do not miss his last shot. - Oliver Wang
Price: $8.37
If The Black Album is truly Jay-Z last statement before retirement, he goes at least from near the top of his game. While it is probably not as his best album "The Black Album will be recalled, his personal to date and has some of its compelling writing. Jay-Z is defiant and defensive here - he is trying to make sure that is his legacy correctly recognized, although he will be a little too heavy-handed at times. Yet he is seldom or sharply insightful in his rhymes, uncovering his own childhood struggles on songs like "4 December, "while on his haters hit with" What More Can I Say "and the cutting" Threat. "Long-time employees Jay-Z Just Blaze and Kanye West churn out excellent production, especially Blaze, whose beats for" 4 December "and" Public Service Announcement "are among the best album. Newcomers Aqua and the Buchanans represent well, but Eminem's minor-drone for" Moment of Clarity "is stuck in mediocrity. Jay could Fade to Black, after this one But do not miss his last shot. - Oliver Wang