On JayZ’s 13th studio album, Jay-z goes back to his roots, with a minimalist production on all tracks handled by No-ID (you may know him from his production on previous JayZ tracks Run this town and Death of Autotune (DOA). So how does the album rate?
The album opens with Kill Jayz and no its not about putting bullets in JayZ but a 2.58 biography of his life touching on several subjects from his stabbing of his Un Riviera to how he almost lost his wife Beyonce to his infidelity.
OJ the second track surprisingly doesn’t deal with the OJ Simpson trial but talks about the right and wrongs he made in his personal finance journey. While he may have made some good arts purchases, he discusses his obsession with V6 engines in the early part of his career when he should have bought real estate that has since jumped up in value.
Smile features his mum Gloria Carter the second time JayZ features her one of his albums (he featured her on the track December 4 on the black album). Here JayZ surprisingly discusses his mum coming out of the closest as a lesbian. Jigga also briefly discusses his exit from the Defjam label so he could make more money.
Caught their eyes featuring Frank Ocean is my favourite track, but oddly feels like something that Damian Marley would ride on. Jigga talks about his friends who betray, and politics in the music industry.
4.44 the title track and the one which set all the buzz discusses in depth his relationship with Beyonce from the beginning and his cheating on her.
Family feud sounds like something Kanye would have produced moe so with the choir in the background. One hopes they do music once again. Favourite line in this song: Yall think small, i think Biggie.
Bam his collaboration with Damian Marley is deeply addictive, especially the horns on the track. On this song, Jigga reminds his foes why he is top of the track. Listening to Damian on the song makes me wish for a Distant Relatives album.
On Moonlight, JayZ samples the Fugees lalala, (if you don’t know who the Fugees are, you need an education in hip hop!) Best line here: don talk about guns you wont use.
Marcy the next track discusses his life in the Marcy projects and his cocaine dealing days. Marcy’s is like taking a trip through his childhood.
Legacy is exactly what it is: Leaving an inheritance for one’s family and friends. This track has a very jazzy feel, and once again Jay-Z talks about financial wisdom reading an imaginary will of his.
On Adnis, Jigga discusses his relationship with his late father. A subject he has treated on previous tracks such as Meet the parents and Streets with r Kelly off the Best of Both worlds album with R Kelly.
We family sees Jigga referencing voodoo in Benin Republic, Fela and slums in Lagos Nigeria.
My Na faced God the album closer once again references his cheating on Beyonce and how they made up.