The Black Album [PA] by Jay-Z

Pros: Jay's "on" for pretty much the whole album.
Cons: Some questionable beat choices and relatively forgettable songs

I think I've probably mentioned something to this effect in most of my past Jay-Z album reviews, but there seems to be a fairly common perception among hip-hop fans (either that or I just spend waaay too much time on the Internet) that the guy only ...

Pros: An autobiographical story of triumphs, tribulations, and fortitude
Cons: Nobody's Perfect

I understand now... When I reviewed The Black Album in 2003, I had not yet established myself as "somebody", and while I've always preached to all of my friends to be happy and be confident and accomplish whatever goal you wanted to ...

Pros: An excellent album with dope production, dope lyrics, interesting concepts, and introspection.
Cons: There are a few misteps; the materalistic and gangsta braggadocio gets tiring after a while.

We can argue whether or not he is the best emcee of all time for days, but to say that Jay-Z hasn't made a big impact on the Hip-Hop world is a straight-up boldface lie. From 1996 to 2003, he had released seven albums, all of them being notable in the ...

Pros: Some great lyricism and production, mostly above average songs.
Cons: What happened to Primo and Dre? Some shoddy production and lyricism plus some repetitive bragging.

During the late 1990’s/ early 2000’s Jay-Z had become one of the most powerful figures in hip hop, selling millions of copies and inspiring many commercial rappers. However, hip hop heads were angry because of the fact he only did this by selling ...

Pros: Great production, amazing lyrics at times, no guests, a couple classic songs
Cons: Several strictly mediocre songs, too egotistical, NO PRIMO!!!

Jay's final album. It's been a long and beautiful career for the man from Marcy, and now he drops his final album: The Black Album. It's supposed to be excellent, top-notch.... eh, not quite. But it's still quite good. Production is great, and ...

Pros: Lyrics, good production on most songs, something to appeal to most rap fans
Cons: Every song can't be a winner

El Presidente, Jay-z could also be called portrait of a 2k Hustler. Hip hop's Cinderfella, and there is no sign of the clock striking midnight. There once was a young boy from Brooklyn, and he learned at the feet of Grand Master Kane. Because the ...

Pros: Jay's flow. Great and purposeful production.
Cons: Eminem

Please feel free to Email me willsoulwonder@hotmail.com with any feedback There are those who think that Reasonable Doubt and the Blueprint are Jay-z’s greatest achievements. And then I ask myself why? 2 two things have happened since the ...

Pros: A well-done swan song
Cons: Slow-moving concepts, some bad lyrics

When you have the colossal impact on rap and its surrounding culture like Jay-Z does; you will understand the pressuring of the inevitable retirement which Jigga haughtily decided to form into a hyped-up gimmick to spread attention and sales. Fortunately ...

Pros: Jay's metaphorical quality in this album is exquisite.
Cons: No reason to "Justify his Thug" or to give "Threats"

If there is any album I would encourage anyone to buy is definitely Jay-Z's "The Black Album". Jay's last album to date. As he starts with an interlude, he starts making valid points coming up to the saying, "All things must come to an end". Meaning his ...

Pros: Lyrics, production, a few classics
Cons: Some tired subject matter

The word 'retirement' is tossed around far too much in the world of hip hop. At one point or another, a rapper's last hurrah behind the mic is usually dismissed as speculation. Few artists, if any have successfully kept their word and left the game for ...

Pros: some nice tracks. Lack of guest appearences.
Cons: Some filler.

Well i know i'm a little late with this review but i was just listening to this cd on my way home and i got kinda into it. So bye bye to mr. Jay-z. So many good songs......and he leaves us on this cd with a few more. The best thing about this album in my ...

Pros: Too many to say!
Cons: Left me wanting more from the Jigga Man!

I just picked up the Black Album today, don't ask me how I got it, lets just say a cd shop had it in and I waited 1hr and a half for it, but was it worth my wait, that's a question you shouldn't even ask cause you know what my answer is gonna be. Hell Ye ...

Pros: wordplay, some great songs, his flow
Cons: some tracks are very commercial, Change Clothes production tedious sometimes

Love or hate him the prolific Jay-Z returns with his 8th studio album actually this equates to 9 albums if the Best Of Both Worlds collabo is included. Since 1996 when the classic if then overlooked Reasonable Doubt was released Jay-Z has released a new ...

Pros: "Lucifer", "99 Problems", Jay's on point for most of the album.
Cons: "Justify My Thug", "Dirt Off Your Shoulder", occasional laziness.

Before the haters chime in, let me get one thought off here: Jay-Z is a talented dude. Call him a sellout, call him responsible for commercializing rap, call him a big-lipped, commercial pop rapper-but don't sleep on his skills. Besides, none of the ...

Pros: Some excellent production; Jay-Z drops some killer rhymes in spots
Cons: Too commercial; Jay-Z doesn’t stay lyrically genius and tight throughout the whole thing

The Main Idea: Hip-Hop changed a lot in the 90’s and had a lot of innovators come along and change the game and had a lot of useless artists come along and downgrade hip-hop. But there was one man that did his share of both and he goes by the ...