Jay-Z’s twelfth album was released on July 4th –
Independence Day to much fanfare and discussion. The Brooklyn
emcee is responsible for taking Hip Hop culture to heights unimaginable
throughout his career. Using an innovative approach with this release, the
celebration of success and a higher standard of living described on the LP is a
result of hard work, focus and pure talent. At this point, his only competition
may be the man in the mirror.
In a era where time moves so much faster, when last year
seems like five years ago and yesterday can feel like last week, it’s much
harder to keep relevance in a society where information is always available and
changes by the second. Especially with the internet. The last solo Jay-Z album
“Blueprint 3″ was in 2009, but that could be considered a throwback in these
times. There is more music being released now than ever before. It’s hard to
even keep someone’s mix-tape in rotation for longer than a week because ten
more are slated to drop the next day. Fans in the genre of Hip Hop argue day in
and day out about who is the best ever. Back when a reigning “king” would be on
top for a year or so, now they may last a month before the majority decides
differently and anoints someone new. With Jay-Z it’s never a question of his
status – he remains the top pick on most people’s lists. Fans do wonder
however, if Jay still has the hunger to challenge the new breed and old while
remaining the trendsetter he’s always been with impeccable skill. On “Magna
Carta Holy Grail”, he is certainly in outstanding form. Whether it’s denouncing
competitors on “Tom Ford”, exposing slavery on “Oceans” or opening up about
fatherhood on “Jay-Z Blue”, Hov delivers the goods with honesty and urgency.
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