When Jay-Z dropped The Black Album on this day in 2003, here was a rarity in Hip Hop - one of the all time greats choosing to bow out on the very top of his game. I honestly can't think of a comparable example of someone else doing the same.
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As fate would have it, Jay's status appears
To be at an all-time high, perfect time to say goodbye
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The album is stacked with classic songs that show exactly why Jay was so revered in the community, even 11 years ago, but the song that epitomises the whole thing is without a doubt Encore.
Kanye West blessed Jay with a sumptuous, soulful instrumental to say his goodbyes over and also chipped in on the hook with John Legend. With some trademark horns, killer keys and crowds chanting "Hova", this track could easily get by on sentimentality alone, but that's not Jay's style.
I honestly couldn't pick a favourite verse on here as Jigga absolutely kills all three of them, dropping some of his most quotable lyrics with one of the best flows in the game. The theme of the song is basically Jay telling everyone how great he is and how much everyone is going to miss him - who else would have the balls and the ability to do something like that without sounding ridiculous?
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And I need you to remember one thing, I came, I saw, I conquered
From record sales, to sold out concerts
So motherfucker if you want this Encore
I need you to scream 'til your lungs get sore
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You would think the fact that Jay was tempted back to rap a few years later might weaken the effect of this song but it doesn't at all. The sincerity in Encore is plain for all to see, this was Jay leaving the game and challenging others to step up and take his place.
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All cause the shit I uttered was utterly ridiculous,
How sick is this?
You wanna bang send Kanye change, send Just some dust
Send Hip a grip, then you gotta spit
A little somethin' like this....
Freaking classic. As is my wont I massively enjoy the Kanye aspect. There's a section in the Fade to Black movie where you see Ye showing his tracks to Jay, it's so cool watching it come together. A great artifact from this left on the album is on the count in to Lucifer - you hear a brief, cut off YEH from Ye, so class. Also on that track there's the line "from the murder capital where we murder for capital", which you see as a line written by Kanye in Fade to Black, and he must have been fond of it, as he reclaims it on Watch the Throne!
ReplyDeleteAnyway you just can't beat the pomp of Encore, it's so brash, but also so lush. You ever hear people say shit like "Kanye has no talent" (surprising how often you hear this) - play the idiots this. In fact don't, just ignore them, they don't deserve it. Love the way Kanye does a bit of vocals on this track too. And of course Jay is untouchable - I think you covered that pretty well yourself!
Haha, I love your bit about people that say Kanye has no talent. I've heard that many a time. Couldn't even garner a proper response so had to go with "You're talking absolute shite" and leave it at that!
DeleteAnd have just seen your tweet referencing 11 years. We're getting old man...I bought the black album when it came out and I was working in HMV. I remember picking up stacks of CDs and going through the liner notes looking for either "Written by P. Williams/C.Hugo" or "Produced by The Neptunes", if found, they went behind the till for a 30% off staff purchase :)
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