The Quotable Reviews: Kingdom Come


"I heard muthaf****** sayin they made HOV. / Made HOV say, 'Ok so, make another HOV.'"
"Lost One" - Jay-Z; Kingdom Come

The Jay-Z biography reads more like something suited for CNBC than E! True Hollywood Story. HOVA the God has gone from street hustler to co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records to part owner of the New Jersey Nets and President of the most storied record label in Hip Hop history; Def Jam Records. He's the first rapper to have his own sneaker deal (Reebok) and is now the face of Hewlett Packard, Budweiser, and Coca-Cola. His impressive discography contains 9 number 1 albums, 3 certified classic LPs, 18 Grammy nominations, 5 Grammy wins, and 12 number 1 singles.....all without ever (allegedly) WRITING a rhyme (his uncanny ability to create verse after verse without the aid of a pen and a pad has become a part of Hip Hop lore over the years). Oh yeah, and he has the baddest chick in the game wearing his chain. Whats left for the Jiggaman to accomplish?

Since his 2003 "retirement" from the rap game, Jay-Z has had to deal with his share of adversity. After 12 years of building Roc-A-Fella records together, El Presidente severed business ties with co-founders Dame Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, causing a rift in the Hip Hop dynasty. Since then, he's tolerated numerous attacks from former Roc-A-Fella artist Cam'ron and his Dipset compadres, as well as from disgruntled Def Jam artists LL Cool J, DMX, The Roots, and Method Man; frustrated about a lack of promotion for their recent album releases. On top of all that, Jay-Z's nephew, Colleek, was tragically killed in an automobile accident while driving the 2005 Chrysler 300 he bought the18 year-old as a graduation present. Its these events, both good and bad, that provide the bulk of the inspiration behind Hov's unretirement album Kingdom Come. How does it sound? Well....the reveiws are mixed...

*****
"The game's f***** up, n****s beats is bangin. /
N**** your hooks did it. / Your lyrics didn't. /
Your gangsta look did it. "
"The Prelude" - Jay-Z; Kingdom Come
From the first bar on the first track, Kingdom Come showcases the "the maturation of Jay-Z-zee." At 37 years-old with a resume as illustrious as his, the cliche hustler tales and stale gangsta posturing that saturates today's commercial rap music (partly the fault of Hova himself) just wouldn't be believeable. So not only does he stay away from that trap....he drafts the blueprint for grown-up commercial Hip Hop albums. The album opener, "The Prelude," highlights Iceberg Slim's intricate, effortless conversational flow while reminding us that "he's just a hustler disguised as a rapper." The tracks whispy whistles and light violins fit perfectly in-line with some of the best wordplay on the album (while simultaneously sending subliminal shots at his Dipset detractors):
"Back when rappers wouldn't dare play lyricaly roulette /
with an auto matic weapon I was reppin with a tech. /
Fresh like Mannie be. / Chain like anti-freeze. /
Shoebox full of cash. / Dealer man hand me keys. /
Pantries full of Arm & Hammer. / [It] don't take Nancy Drew to see /
What it do. I'm a damn, G."
"The Prelude" - Jay-Z; Kingdom Come
Jay continues the street hustler turned corporate mogul theme throughout the majority of the LP, but never more convincingly than on the album's title track, "Kingdom Come." Here Hov addresses his unretirment from Hip Hop, his recent boycott of Cristal champagne (I thought dude's remark was rude ok. / So I moved on to Dom and Krug Rose), and his rise up the corporate ladder all while masterfully using super hero metaphors to close out each verse (Peter Parker, Spiderman / all I do is climb the charts). Expect this Just-Blaze produced cut to bang in cars and clubs throughout the Winter.
In fact, "Kingdom Come" sets up the best track sequence on Kingdom Come. "Show Me What You Got" shows Jay-Z is in full swag, declaring "he's the Michael Jordan of recording" over another Just-Blazed produced anthem. "Lost One" features an introspective Hovie reflecting on the breakup of Roc-A-Fella records, his relationship with Beyonce, and the death of his nephew Colleek; all over a minimalist Dr. Dre beat (light synth horns minus the heavy keys he's known for). The Kanye West produced (no sped-up soul samples on this one) "Do U Wanna Ride" showcases more masterful wordplay depicting his rise to the top:
"You know why they call a Project a Project? / Cause its a project. /
An experiment, we're in it / only as objects. /
And the object for us is to explore our prospects. /
Side step cops on the way to the top, yes. /
As kids we would daydream, sittin on our steps /
Pointin at cars like, 'yeah thats our 6.'
Hustlers profits made our eyes stretch. /
So on some Dr. Spock, we started our trek."
"Do U Wanna Ride" - Jay-Z; Kingdom Come
John Legend nails the hook as well!
The album's pinnacle comes one track later on "30 Something." Here, Hov straight SONS everyone who thinks that 30+ is too old to still be rapping (The Game, Remy Ma, Jim Jones...take note):
"I'm from the era where n****s don't snitch. / You're from the era where snitchin is the shit. /
I'm afraid of the future (why?). / Yall respect the one that got shot. I respect the shooter. /
Yall go to parties to ice grill. / I go to parties to party with nice girls. /
Young boys gotta chill. / 30's the new 20, n****. I'm so hot still"
"30 Something" - Jay-Z; Kingdom Come
Jay's delivery is perfect over more minimalist Dr. Dre production.
Sadly the rest of Kingdom Come is sporadic at best. I mean, its hard to critique "I love my momma" songs, so we'll just say that "I Made It" falls flat (especially when compared to "December 4th," Jay-Z's 'I love my momma' track on the The Black Album). Plus, ever since Shannon said it sounds like a 2Pac flow...thats all I hear when I listen to it (Momma I Made It!). "Anything" is the obligatory bouncy-club track which sounds like Justin Timberlake over a Timbaland beat....too bad its Usher over a Neptunes beat (which doesn't bode well for my argument that the difference between Usher and Mr. Sexy Back is that Usher is R&B while Timberlake is Pop). "Trouble" is dope, but far from memorable. Jay whines about the pains of fame for 4 minutes and 17 seconds on "Hollywood" (I hate when artists complain about fame, especially since only other famous people can relate) without coming to any sort of conclusion. Moreover, Outkast already smashed it with "Hollywood Divorce" earlier this year, so this version feels like a generic re-tread; defintely not fresh....definitely not new (his flows still tight though).
"Dig A Hole" is the diss track that just doesn't get job done (and the Sterling Sims hook screams of RKelly. He should send Kels a Christmas card for beefing with Jay and opening the door for this guest appearance). If you're gonna speak on Dame Dash, and 2nd rate rappers Cam'ron and Jim Jones, knock them out the box! Make sure they lose all credibility. This track leaves the door cracked for a rebuttle (but at least he doesn't mention them by name).
Furthermore, I appreciate the fact that Jay took the time to address the Hurricane Katrina debacle because scandals of that magnitude should never be forgotten; never be pushed to the back of people's minds, but Lil' Wayne already made "Georgia" (see From the Vault: Hurricane Katrina) and he did a better job of conveying the emotions behind it. And if you're in Jay's inner circle I'm sure its tough to provide criticism, but someone needs to tell Big Homie that that whisper flow's gotta go! I hate the whisper flow! I hated it when Flesh N Bone started doing that junk on Bone Thugs N Harmony albums back in 1997 and I still hate it now! Speak up muttaskutta! Speak up! He sounds like a constipated senior citizen.
Lastly, the Chris Martin (of Cold Play) produced track, "Beach Chair" is nice, but fails to impress. It does, however, provide one of the most notable Quotables on the album:
"I got demons in my past / So I got daughters on the way. /
If the prophecy's correct then the child will have to pay /
For the sins of the father. So I barter my tommorrow's against my yesterdays /
In hopes she'll be OK. /
And when I'm no longer here to shade her face from the glare /
I'll giver her my share of Carol's Daughter and a new Beach."
"Beach Chair" - Jay-Z; Kingdom Come
*****
Most artist need at least 2 to 3 years to craft a good album. Jay-Z's God given ability to create hit records off of the top of his head immediately puts him in a league of his own; but ultimately becomes Kingdome Come's achillies heel. From the sound of it, Hov created the majority of this LP within in the last 2 months -which certainly speaks volumes for how talented he is and stands as a measuring stick for other MCs reaching for that chip (hell, he even completed a 7 city, nation-wide tour in 1 Day!). But at the same time the album's second half feels rushed, so maybe more time is what was needed stamp this comeback with an exclamation point! (at least he didn't cut corners on the insert book - finally including the song lyrics!....this should be a requirement for all albums).
Even with its flaws, Kingdom Come will likely be one of the top 8 albums released in 2006 (which is saying a lot in year where Ghostface, T.I., Lupe Fiasco, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Rick Ross, Rhymefest, Lil' Wayne, Method Man, The Roots, Outkast, Busta Rhymes, Ice Cube, Gnarls Barkely all released critically respected albums...and The Clipse, Eminem, and Nas will all drop before year-end! Seriously, when was the last time this many top-tier, career-proven MCs released albums in the same year?? 2001? 1998? I'm just guessing right now, but this is definitely worth looking into. Say what you will, but 2006 was a good year for quality Hip Hop albums; even if Soundscan numbers contradict that statement....anyone who disagrees only listens to the radio - another tangent...read on) but when compared to his own catalog, it falls short of his sky high standards. I guess thats the pattern with Hov though...each classic album is followed by a 'Ho Hum' release; Reasonable Doubt = Classic...The Life and Times of Sean Carter Vol. 1 = 'Ho Hum'....The Blueprint = Classic...The Blueprint 2 = 'Ho Hum'...The Black Album = Classic...Kindgom Come...well, you get my drift.
Either way, the album is a good listen overall (something to clean your house to rather than bump before hitting the club)...just don't be suprised when you find yourself hitting the skip button when rockin' it on 'Random.'
Rating: QQQ

The Company Man

From the Vault: Rhymefest



"I reminisce for a spell; or shall I say think back." May, 2006 just to keep it on track.

I was a happy dude the day I got my ticket to the Brooklyn Hip Hop festival. The show was dope too...rain and all. Long Live the Kane!

And now, another trip into the Vault.

*****

For those who registered for the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival 2 months ago, check your email boxes - I GOT MY TICKET!!!
And if you didn't register and wanna go, check the link below before its too late:

http://www.brooklynbodega.com/

So in honor of me getting my ticket, today's J Hunte's Daily Quotable comes from Rhymefest (my second most anticipated album of the year! I'm lovin "the Chi" right now) who will perform at the festival along with headliners Big Daddy Kane and Lupe Fiasco.

"Whose the first ghost writer? Grandmaster Caz. /
Sylvia Robinson went and found three young lads, /
And the Sugar Hill Gang took all the cash! /

Ain't it strange? Thats when the language changed. /
MCing was created - Its a dangerous thang. /
You see, young ones need to know from whence they came. /
It ain't all about the wack mixtapes and gold chains. /

B-Boy Anthem - Rhymefest; Mr. Bluecollar

Here's a little background for yall that don't know what Rhymefest is talkin about - back in the late 70s, producer Sylvia Robinson pulled together three guys (Wonder Mike, Master Gee, and Big Bank Hank) to form pioneering rap group the Sugar Hill Gang. In 1979, the group released the groundbreaking track "Rapper's Delight," which was the first commercially sucessful rap song and went on to sell roughly 8 million copies worldwide. All good right? Mostly.

See while Wonder Mike and Master Gee were both local rappers at the time Big Bank Hank was the manager of another rap group, the Cold Crush Brothers. Since he didn't rap, Hank used one of Grandmaster Caz's (one of the members of the Cold Crush Brothers) rhymes for his verse on "Rappers Delight" in exchange for his help in getting Cold Crush a record deal. Well, the record deal never materialized. The Sugar Hill Gang went on to help change the course of music history (and became rap's first boy-band). And Grandmaster Caz is credited as rap's first Ghostwriter (and hasn't seen a dime). The Game was f'd up in '79! Someone should've pressed Reset...

Want more irony? Sylvia Robinson ended up branding the Sugar Hill Gang and still receives royalties everytime that song is played anywhere. Her family is now ridiculously wealthy and her grandson, Darnell Robinson, will be featured TONITE on MTV's Super Sweet 16 at 10pm. According Darnell (on Hot97 this morning), the "Coming to America" themed pary cost over $300Gs! This boy better not have WIPERS!!!
Carry On...

Wall Street 'Entourage'...Just A Thought


Doug Ellin, creator of HBO's hit series, 'Entourage' has a new TV show concept currently in development; Wall Street Entourage (click here). Being that I'm a serious fan of the show and happen to work on the Street, this new series is right up my alley. But...lets hope Ellin doesn't take this too far. I mean the guy was blessed enough to co-create a popular TV show with an ever growing fan base...and how does he follow up that success? By stepping out on a limb and creating the exact same show on a different coast in a different industry! This could be a bad sign. Whats next? 'Astronaut Entourage' (buddies trying to make it big in the no-holds barred world of space travel)? How about 'Not-For-Profit Entourage' (buddies trying to make it big in the no-holds-barred world of not-for-profit fund raising)? I hope this guy has some other tricks up his sleeve.

Obviously I'm being cynical. Ellin's new series actually looks decent. Either way, this was...

"Just a thought"
"Just a Thought" - Gnarls Barkley; St. Elsewhere

Carry on...

The Quotbale Reviews: The Doctor's Advocate


"Guess who's back on the west coast tracks. / Its the mutha fuckin messiah of gangsta rap."
"Lookin At You" - The Game: The Doctor's Advocate

The funny thing is, that line above could easily be misatken as something removed from Dr. Dre's celebrated catalog. In fact, the first two tracks on The Game's 2nd studio album, The Doctor's Advocate, eerily embody the Good Doctor himself; vocally and sonically...and it doesn't sound bad. Actually.....its damn good.

Boasting a newfound top-tier flow, The Game laces The Doctor's Advocate's impressive soundtrack (especially considering Dre isn't behind the boards....ghost production?) with west coast gangsta slang mixed with a dash of east coast lyricism; harnessing his inner Andre Young all along the way. The high keys and pounding synth horns (Dre?...is that you?) on the album's opening track, "Lookin At You," immediately re-introduces that classic Cali flavor while the Will.i.Am produced BANGER, "Compton," showcases bouncin drums reminiscent of mid '90s NY boom-bap.

The album's high point comes on the aptly titled "The Doctor's Advocate," where a drunken The Game (it couldn't just be Game could it? No, this muttaskutta's gotta name himself The Game....well I guess I can't talk since I am The Company Man...pardon me for a moment; I just went off on a tangent...continue...) reflects on his life's trials and the real possibility that he's squandered a relationship with the man who created him; Dr. Dre:

"Sittin here lookin at my platinum plaques thinkin 'what the fuck am I without a Dr. Dre track?'"
"The Doctor's Advocate" - The Game; The Doctor's Advocate

The concept isn't brand new since he used the exact same drunken perspective on "Start From Scratch" (The Documentary), but what he's sayin is honest; its real...and its on tracks like these where a rapper becomes an artist; where he lets you know who he really is. You have to respect that (on another note, what if this becomes his signature character? Think DMX and Damien. Think Sooperman Lover....don't be suprised if two albums down the line...The Game is still puttin back the "Belvee and Banana Snapple," lettin his inebriated soul flow.......this could end badly).

In fact, The Game is at his best when he steps outside of the gang-banger persona and discusses tangible life issues. On "One Night," he uses the Babyface inspired hook; "I only think of you on 2 occasions; / when I'm drunk and when I'm high" to opine on how people would rather 'get you f*ucked up' than feed you (my college roommate Sean P and I would literally hide our food from each other just to make absolutely sure we wouldn't get GOT for our Ramen Noodles after we left the room...but Black-N-Milds and Miller High Life's were like community property)! This track definitely hits home.

Unfortunately the album faulters when attempting the obvious. The obligatory 'sit back, smoke and ride' track, "Lets Ride," sounds like a left-over from The Documentary (it even comes complete with The Game singing a generic-50esque hook) and the Jamie Foxx assisted, "All Around the World" is mediocre at best. On top of that, premature braggadocio taints the album ("N***** in New York say I'm the best"....no The Game....n***** in New York do not say you're the best. I'm so sincere about this) and the occasional random, sub-par bar dings The Game's still developing lyrical credibility ("I'm back like Flava Flav's clock to handle my business"...I don't even know what that means) . Plus, homie still has a chronic name-droppin addiction. He should seek help for that.

But overall the album is quality. And as all quality albums do, The Doctor's Advocate ends on an exclamation point with the Just Blaze produced 9-minute opus, "Why You Hate the Game" (featuring Nas and Marsha of Floetry). Here, Godson reminds us why his upcoming album Hip Hop is Dead...the N is so highly anticipated:

"Green fatigues on. My niggas I'll bleed for 'em. /
I can show them the water but can't make 'em drink it. /
And I can show them my fortunes, but can't force 'em think rich...ignore the ignorance."
"Why You Hate the Game" - Nas

Not to be over looked, The Game ends the album by finally putting THE BEEF in perspective:

"...make me wanna call 50 and let him know whats on my mind. /
But I just hold back / cause we ain't beefin like that. /
He ain't BIG and I ain't Pac and we just eatin off rap. One Love."
"Why You Hate the Game" - The Game



*****

So there it is...16 tracks. 14 guest appearances. 10 super producers. 1 Nigga Wit an Attitude. No interludes. Mix it together and what do you get?

Vindication...sittin on chrome 24in rims.

After all, whats the best way to make sure your detractors choke on their haterade? Come-correct and let the music do the talkin.

"My flows opposite of handsome. Its ugly. /
Hip Hop tantrum. Sick. Call this shit cancer. /
One-man show cause I f*cked all the dancers. /
Let the critics ask questions. My album we'll be the answer."
"Scream On Em'" - The Game: The Doctors Advocate

No Fiddy. No Dre. All Game. All good.

'Though The Doctor's Advocate falls well short of earning the coveted (The) Company Man Classic Status...its definitely worth owning. The Game has crafted a high-quality LP and deserves all of the credit for its success. The album didn't necessarily break the mold; but its certainly another body blow to G-Unit. I'm sure The Game can find gratification in that.

Rating: QQQ

Download This:
Compton
Wouldn't Get Far
Scream On Em
The Doctor's Advocate
Why You Hate the Game


The Company Man

Live on Fight Night


As much shit as Game talks
...you gotta respect homie's improvement over the past year.

This cat's had his back against the wall, fightin' not to get Ja Ruled by 5-0, and not only did he arguably win the battle (or at the very least broke even) but he came out it a new-and-improved MC. Every leaked track released from Mr. Chuck Taylor has been crack! Hands down.

But the real reason to respect him is because he makes no qualms about WORKING on his flow. Game openly admits in interviews that he WRITES 100 bars a day...thats 700 bars a week...36,400 bars a year! Thats nearly unheard of in Hip Hop today. Most of these 'MCs' front like they hit the booth and spit it one take; tryna be the next HOV ("We don't believe you. You need more people!") .

Not Game.

The production was ridiculous, but Game's debut album, The Documentary revealed multiple holes in homie's flow; repeatedly contradicting obviously premature boasts:

"I'm lyrically Kool G Rap on these Dre records" - Westside Story: The Documentary

But rather than kick back and bank on platinum status attained since his 2005 debut, Game's been warin' with G-Unit and writin his Chucks off. You Have To Respect That.

So for that reason alone The Company Man's checkin for Game's sophmore set, The Doctor's Advocate (11.04.06). Ironically, he doesn't have the Doctor's production (nor Fiddy's hooks for that matter) in his corner for round 2...but Game's put the work in so...Its Okay. One Blood.

The fights about to start. Pretty Boy Floyd in a decision.

Carry on...

Something My Momma Never Told Me

"Momma told me never stop until I bust a nut."

Hail Mary: 2Pac - Makaveli

From the Vault: Katrina

All this Lil' Wayne talks got me thinkin bout how nice homie really is. I was getting ready to do a Quotable on him then I remembered...I already did.

Straight from the vault: The Quotable: Katrina


Lil' Wayne is like the Barry Bonds of Hip Hop....

Seriously, when he dropped his first solo album (The Block Is Hot) back in 1999....or any of his next 3 follow-ups for that matter....anyone who says they knew he'd become one of the premiere LYRICISTS in the game is either flat out lying....or on his payroll!

Don't get me wrong, its not like he was a bad rapper...he just wasn't a very good rapper. In short - his delivery was monotone, his flow was constipated, and his content (if any) was buried beneath the "Bling Bling" brovado he and his Cash Money compadres cashed in on....but his songs knocked in club and that was good enough (right?)....

Then he drops The Carter II in late 2005 and out of the blue he's a rhymin ape...effortlesly swingin from bar to bar with a new found graceful aggression infused in his nasally southern drawl. Suddenly he's using in-depth metaphors to paint his trap tales and even unveils a social consciousness not present on previous albums. Homie is dope...almost like he's dopin...like he's on a performance enhancer; like he's on a lyrical Human Growth Hormone...(or ghost writer)....

Speculation aside, Lil' Wayne is doin his thing right now and I gotta respect it. So today's quotable is from "Georgia...Bush," his response to Hurricane Katrina...

[Ray Charles sample: Georgia]

"Then they tellin yall lies in the news /
White people smilin like everything's cool /
But I know people that died in that pool /
I know people that died in 'dem schools /
Now what is a survivor to do? /
Got no trailer, you gotta move /
Now its on to Texas and to (Geeeooorrrgggiaaaa) /

They tell you what they want. /
Show you what they want you to see but they don't let you know whats really goin on. /
Make it look like theres a lotta stealin goin on. Boy 'dem cops is killas in my home. /
N**** shot dead in the middle of the street. / I ain't no thief, I'm just tryin to eat. /
Man F*** the police and president (Geeeeooorrrrgggiiiaaa)....Bush /

So what happened to the levees? Why wasn't they steady? Why wasn't they able to control this? /
I know some folk that live by the levees that keep on tellin me they heard explosions. /
Same sh*t happened wit Hurricane Betsy, 1965. / I ain't too young to know this. /
That was President Johnson but now its (Geeeoooorrrrrggggiiiiaaa)....Bush." /

"Georgia...Bush" - Lil Wayne; DJ Drama Presents: Gangsta Grillz Mixtape; Dedication 2

Carry on...