Jay - Z: Kingdom Come

Monstersandcritics.com

This wouldn't be much of a music blog if we didn't address the newest release by one of rap's greatest living legends - Jay Z. Yes one of the biggest name's in rap came out of his self-imposed "retirement" this week with the release of "Kingdom Come". I put retirement in quotes because I rarely believe that musicians retire. It's not like sports where they reach a point where their bodies can no longer perform. They just decide they want a break from music. Then a few years later they decide their creative fire is burning again and they return. And this thought process brings us to Jay's newest album...

This album has left me on the fence a little. While there are times where I really feel that it's another Jay-Z classic, there's also plenty of times where I find myself unable to be encapsulated by the songs in the way previous releases were capable of. There are several very good tracks, including the album's first single Show Me What You Got, which has the epic sound of old. But there are plenty of tracks that do not seem to be on the same level with some of his previous works. Dig A Hole is one track in particular that sticks out to me. The track simply does not groove, and the beat sounds like something produced by a high schooler. Hardly what I would expect from someone who had a hand in the rise of Kanye West by recognizing the quality of his beats.

If you're wondering whether Jay Z is getting a little too old for the rap game, the answer is no. But it is something he might be getting a little self conscious about. The veteran rapper makes numerous references to his getting on in years, both in a "I'm older and wiser now" way and in a "I'm still a young baller" way. These phrases along with his constant mentioning of returning from "retirement" can wear on the listener over time.

So yes this is not the same old Jay Z, but at the same time that is because he is a victim of his own previous success. The bar is high for him, sky high they might say. I tend to liken this album to Michael Jordan's comeback with the Wizards. Overall he played well, and seemed to be capable of doing many of the things the old Michael could do, but when it was all said and done you just wondered whether it was really necessary.

Here's a track from the new album featuring Beyonce; one that I wouldn't be surprised if it's tapped as the next single -

Jay Z - Hollywood (feat Beyonce)


Since I'm on the subject of hip-hip, I also want to make a quick rec. K'naan is a Somali/American/Canadian rapper. His style is very unique, and will probably never make it mainstream because of it, but that doesn't mean it's not good. A quick visit to his myspace page will show this as his styles are listed as hip-hop, folk, and acoustic. He takes a very artistic, even poetic approach to hip-hop, and the beats he employs are not the typical beats you will hear on the radio.

I can't even really describe why I like him, maybe his wise-beyond-his-years attitude and respect for the way the world works. Most rappers rap about growing up on the rough streets, but K'naan grew up on the streets of Mogadishu. He has seen the real horrors of war first hand, and for that you tend to trust what he says. Give it a listen, I guarantee it'll be the best Somali-influenced rap you've heard in a while. Here's a couple tracks from his 2006 release The Dusty Foot Philosopher -

K'naan - If Rap Gets Jealous

K'naan - I Was Stabbed By Satan

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving
Alec