The Black Album by Jay-Z
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- Record Label: Def Jam
- Release Date: Nov 14, 2003
- Summary: The hugely successful Brooklyn rapper worked with an A-list of producers (including Just Blaze, Kanye West, Aqua, Eminem, Rick Rubin and The Neptunes) on what he has stated will be the final release of his career. (Sure it will.)
- Record Label: Def Jam
- Genre(s): Rap
- More Details and Credits »
Top Track
| 99 Problems | |
|---|---|
| If you're having girl problems I feel bad for you son I got ninety nine problems but a bitch ain't one I got the rap patrol on the gat patrol Foes... | See the rest of the song lyrics |
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Score distribution:
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Negative: 0 out of 19
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A magnificent record. [Jan 2004, p.104]
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There are better storytellers, there are better battle rappers, there are undoubtedly rhymers with more on their minds. But there isn't a better MC around, if you're talking about the art of sheer mic domination.
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Excellent, although not quite the epoch-defining triumph its hype suggested it might be. [Jan 2004, p.108]
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This album is amazing. This is still my favorite rap album to date and is one of the best I've ever heard. Jay Z was trying to retire with aThis album is amazing. This is still my favorite rap album to date and is one of the best I've ever heard. Jay Z was trying to retire with a bang and he did just that. This is Jay Z's best album. The production was amazing, the lyrics were on point and we heard every jay Z. Classic and new.… Expand
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Hands down best ever! Those who think its wack don't even listen carefully to the track. Hov is the realest shit there is. Thats why Hands down best ever! Those who think its wack don't even listen carefully to the track. Hov is the realest shit there is. Thats why most people give it a good rating.… Expand
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He goes through his whole career perfect send off
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Jay Z is one of the greatest rappers of all time, and I believe this is his most meaningful work since Reasonable Doubt. Mostly all of theJay Z is one of the greatest rappers of all time, and I believe this is his most meaningful work since Reasonable Doubt. Mostly all of the songs in The Black Album are some of Jay Z's classics.… Expand
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Impressive cocktail of iconic tracks. Jay-Z is surely not the best lyricist, storyteller nor rhymer but he clearly is hell of an entertainer.Impressive cocktail of iconic tracks. Jay-Z is surely not the best lyricist, storyteller nor rhymer but he clearly is hell of an entertainer. Production featuring Eminem, Kanye West and Just Blaze is not perfect but catchy and dark as it used some clever samples. The presence of The Neptunes (and by extension of Pharrell Williams) makes the artistic direction change and definitely contributes to give more variety to the album.
Jay-Z made this project a classic with some clever, gangsta-like and funny lines even if some others sound way too ego-centered. His flow is inseparable of the beat and always perfeclty fits the rhythm. 'The Black Album' certainly helped to give Jay-Z the charismatic image he has today.
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