The romantic innocence of the Chi-Lites backing up “December 4 th” is absolutely perfect for setting a tone of reverie combined with triumph. As such, it acts as a hip-hop mixtape, a true collection of varied styles that display Jay’s versatility as an artist. The Black Album has 10 different producing teams for 14 songs. With so many different flows there’s one for this song…” This hood, or this pop, this hot, or this strong “There’s never been a nigga this good for this long And, in true hip-hop fashion, let me break it down for you. If you’re not sure listen to it again and come back to me. While we were just getting started, finding our collective voices, Jay was hanging it up, ready to take a step back, and celebrating his early retirement with easily the best album of his career. While the latter had inauspicious beginnings, the former was birthed fully formed, with its creator at the top of his game, a lengthy catalog of hits behind him. I don’t know if you remember, but Jay Z’s The Black Album was released in November of 2003, nearly the exact birthdate of Treble. “Good-bye to the game, all the spoils, the adrenaline rush…” In other words, Happy (Online Version) Anniversary. There is one in particular that I have found truly encapsulates our time together, from our shaky beginnings to our difficult separation and even beyond. However, I have been given the chance to finally go back and spend some time with some old favorites. I have never felt more out of the loop than I have the last two years.
Lately, I’ve just been a spectator on the sidelines, watching as others give you their attention. At any given time I was writing something for you. I now teach high school English and History, which has been great, but I’ve missed our time together. You see, I’ve been teaching young people. I’ve been a little busy I hope you understand. It’s been a little while since I’ve written. And as the wind carry these seeds throughout the land, a new life will begin for each one of them as they stand for a monument to the one that came before.” One day he too will pass on his legacy, through the seeds that drop to the ground. Take the analogy of a tree that grows in Brooklyn, among the steel and concrete with all of its glorious branches and leaves. It is an inevitable part of the cycle of existence. “And the other night when I was, researching, what we were going to be discussing today, I came across a passage that, I think it really exemplifies what the young brother next to me was talking about, and that all things must come to an end. We’ll be posting a new reflection on a significant album from the past 10 years every day for the next few weeks. These are albums that left a significant impact not just on us, but also music on a greater scale (but mostly on us).
From “Threats” to “Lucifer” it seems Jay is directly challenging the rest of the rap world to get on his level before they never again get the chance.Treble is celebrating its 10-year anniversary by posting a series of articles that reflect the last 10 years of music, including a series of Hall-of-Fame essays on significant albums released between 20. His mature yet flamboyant lyricism is on par with the life described by Robin Leach. As the album progresses, Jay begins more and more to put his would-be competition in its place with sheer willpower. Singles “Change Clothes” and “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” are perfect examples of the particular swagger Jay-Z brought to rap. On numerous tracks, specifically “Encore” and “What More Can I Say”, Hov can be heard stating his frustration with being the one punch man (a fictional superhero who can defeat any opponent with merely one punch causing him to become bored with superhero work) of Hip Hop.Īside from staking his claim as the greatest, Hov spent this album perfectly juggling his unique brand of bragging with the dropping of street knowledge you couldn’t pay for. This album is an opus to Jay’s distaste with the rap game as a whole. This opening tale of Hov’s origin sets the tone of the album and properly introduces Jay to an industry that he feels has taken him for granted. Starting with the first track, “December 4th”, this album takes the listener on a nostalgic journey. In its entirety, this album sounds more like a greatest hits album than the eighth project of an illustrious career.