Album Review: Jay-Z’s “Kingdom Come”
Show Omar what you got, Jay.
by Omar Mazariego
When the Mike Jordan of Rap came back to the game, everyone asked the same question: Will it be the ’97 Mike Jordan or the ’01 Mike? Well, ladies and gentlemen, from what I can gather you can dust off your Jordan XVII’s because those are the ones that best seem to fit this MJ of rap comeback. And trust you me, writing that last sentence hurt me just as much as when I heard that Ciara was allegedly a hermaphrodite. (Thank God she isn’t!)
Anyway, listening to this album was like watching the Giants/Bears game last Sunday. It got off to a good start and there was a glimmer of hope, but halfway through the consistency was gone and all we were left with were a bunch of fumbles and interceptions.
Like I said, the album started off hard. Though Jay said some gangsta sh*t on the Just Blaze produce “Oh My God,” his flow and low-toned voice just didn’t allow him to capitalize on the hyperactive melody that Mr. Blaze crafted for his comeback album. Jay did manage to nail the mood and flow on Just’s second offering, “Kingdom Come” which was very reminiscent of an pre-Beyonce/Jay.
And Jay did manage to breathe life into what seems to be one of Kanye’s B-list beats on “Do U Wanna Ride.” Here Jay takes us on the trip that is his life while John Legend mans the chorus. While the song is an interestingly crafted tune, it isn’t the hood banger that he and Kanye have been known to create when they fuse their talents together.
And of course it wouldn’t be a current hip-hop album without a Neptunes track. “Anything” is just what you’d expect from a Neptunes produced track: an uptempo club banger with Jay using three different flows to break down three different verses. While this is the first time we’ve heard a Jay and Usher song, I’m sure it’s not one that true Jay fans are going to be enjoying on first listen. Same goes for “Hollywood” where we find Jay’s main squeeze Beyonce singing the hook while Jay explains the ups and downs of being himself. Is it me or will we never get a Jay and B collabo like “Dangerously In Love” ever again. After that, everything they do just pales in comparison. Sorta like Meth and Mary’s collabos after “You’re All I Need.”
But of course the big talk of the album were the rumored Jay and Dr. Dre songs. Well, they’re here and I must say that it lived up to expectations the same way Hideki Irabu lived up to his when he became a Yankee in 1998. Sure the first song, “Lost Ones,” was hot to death. It was as personal as we’ve ever heard Jay. He spoke his feelings about Beyonce, the death of his nephew and of course his estranged business partner, Dame Dash. Over a mellow beat and piano keys, Jay spit, “I heard muthaf*ckas saying they made Hov/ made Hov say ok, well, make another Hov/[they] wasn’t playing they day role/so we parted ways like Ben and J. Lo/shoulda been did it, but I been in a daze though/I put friends over business at the end of the day though…”
“Minority Report” was hot on a different level. While it might sound like your average Dr. Dre beat and your everyday Jigga flow, it was dope how Jay made the Katrina situation into a heartfelt song that we all can relate too. At the end of the day we’re all victims of society one way or another. He even used news audio to give the song more depth. That was dope.
Then on other Dre tracks like “30 Something” we have Hova telling us that 30 is the new 20 (so does that make 20 the new 10?). Sure the beat wasn’t all that and the flow was nothing short of lazy, but Jay did say some real things about the difference between yesterdays and today’s generation like “I’m from the era where [people] don’t snitch/you’re from the era where snitching is the sh*t/I’m afraid of the future/you respect the one who got shot, I respect the shooter/they go to parties to ice grill/I go to parties to party with nice girls…” Now that’s real.
But when it was all said and done, I must say that I felt the same way Geraldo felt when he open Al Capone’s secret hideout. Yeah man, like that. That being said I give this album 3.5 Gangstas.
Lyrically Jay is still as nasty as can be. Even on the Chris Martin produced “Beach Chair,” Jay is incredibly creative on a non-hip-hop beat. But if this album demonstrated anything it’s that his flow and emotional grasp on a song has faded along with the Dynasty that was once the Roc. And to be quite honest, it seems like the only producer that brought his A-game to the table was none other than Just Blaze; Kanye, The Neptunes and Dr. Dre all seemed to have given Jay leftover beats. I don’t know if Jay chose those beats because he thought they were hot or because there were the hottest ones he heard from them. Either way it wasn’t a good look. And while I’m 100 percent sure that the departure of Dame Dash had absolutely nothing to do with Hov’s album being soft, I’m also 100 percent convinced that being in love and not being in the hood or around trueblue hood folk such as myself is responsible for Jay’s musical erosion.
Hopefully for Jay this is the #45 Jordan return where his first couple of months were very shaky and the next year returned to his prominence and took home the title. Because if this is Jay’s Wizards return, then God help hip-hop.
106 Responses to “Album Review: Jay-Z’s “Kingdom Come””
Nov.16 at 5:19 pm
so fresh n so clean says:
FIRST!! Omar you didn’t even shout out the intro! I thought it was one of the illest of a Jay Album..the song is filled in emotion from both jay and the production… ‘I used to think rapping at 38 was ill, but last year alone I grossed 38 mill’ Lost Ones is the biggest track on the album…
Nov.16 at 5:21 pm
Max Airington says:
What about “Trouble”? Classic.
Nov.16 at 5:22 pm
Max Airington says:
Especially the third verse. Damn. He hasn’t lost anything at all, he’s just looking for a broader audience. And that intro was ill, the beat for that shouldve been dedicated to a whole song.
Nov.16 at 5:35 pm
Ryan Jones says:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Wha? New Jay record? Oh, that’s nice… zzzzzzzzz
Nov.16 at 5:41 pm
marcel mutoni says:
what is this ‘hip-hop’ that you speak of?
Nov.16 at 5:42 pm
Max Airington says:
What exactly do you listen to Mr.Jones? Iron & Wine? Thelonious Monk? J-Lo?
Nov.16 at 5:48 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Never thought I’d see Jay-Z compared to Hideki Irabu.
Nov.16 at 5:48 pm
Ryan Jones says:
All of the above, in that exact order. You’ve got me pegged, Max. Let’s see what’s been spinning at the Dome this week: The Chronic, the first Kanye, Rakim 18th Letter, the new Game joint (well, we had to give it at least one listen…), the new John Legend, Nirvana Unplugged, Kweli’s last one, The Roots Legendary, Gnarls Barkley, …Trail of Dead, ATCQ’s Low End Theory, Miseducation of Khalid Salaam (I swear that’s what it says on the burned CD, but I’m pretty sure it was Lauren Hill), and we might’ve played some Pearl Jam the other day, too. And there is in fact a Monk CD on top of the stereo next to my desk (Monk & Coltrane at Carnegie Hall — HIGHLY recommended) but I haven’t played it in a minute.
Nov.16 at 5:49 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
The first CD i ever purchased was Jay Z, Vol 2.
For my entire music purchasing life there has been a hot Jay album out(im not even mad at Blue Print 2 or them R kelly shits) then the rumors started, i couldnt wait, i knew he couldnt retire forever.
I knew he would come back wearing the 45.
But he showed up in a Wizards jersey, beggin Vince for his spot in the All Star Game. All i can say is i hope this terrible album gets bashed so bad it makes him get focused, and put out some more classic Jigga gangter shit(you cant record a gangster album in a billion dollar hotel in the south of france)
1
Nov.16 at 5:56 pm
Max Airington says:
Murs & Slug, Felt 2: A tribute to Lisa Bonet.
Murs & 9th Wonder, 3:16 the 9th edition.
Iron & Wine, Our endless numbered days
The Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Nov.16 at 5:59 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Max, I like your style fa real.
Nov.16 at 5:59 pm
Max Airington says:
And Jigga aint a gangster anymore. He’s a business, man.
Nov.16 at 6:00 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Max, If I wasn’t too old for MySpace, we could be “friends” and stuff.
Nov.16 at 6:00 pm
Max Airington says:
Thanks dude.
Nov.16 at 6:02 pm
jbn74sb says:
Omar - Review Borat immediately. Got to hear the hood perspective on that one.
Nov.16 at 6:03 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Yeh i feel you, Max (No Mike Miller), i dont know how to live in a world where Puffy, Jim Jones and an album which made up of 50% Birdman are all better than a Jay cd.
1
Nov.16 at 6:12 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
No one’s too old for MySpace. And I haven’t really felt Jay-Z since “Reasonable Doubt.” That stupid “Annie” sample turned me off of him forever. Also, there was only one king of New York, and he was shot to death in L.A. in 1997.
Nov.16 at 6:23 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Give you a snotty nose/from body blows/everybody knows/even Gotti goes/adios
1
Nov.16 at 6:28 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Russ, seriously, I’m gonna start throwing your sh*t out the window if you don’t come through soon.
Nov.16 at 6:30 pm
Omar says:
First, that song Trouble was ok. Not even close to what Dre and Jay are capable of creating. Second, the intro is pretty sick but doesn’t count as a actual song. Third, I hope Jay doesn’t have me clapped for this review.
Nov.16 at 6:55 pm
Ryan Jones says:
O, I think you’re safe as long as you don’t make fun of Shawn’s flip-flops.
Nov.16 at 7:15 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Haha true, dude Jay that kinda personal.
1
Nov.16 at 7:24 pm
Omar says:
Damn, i forgot to mention the flip-flops with the thong straps in my review! That is NOT gangsta. I don’t care what part of the world you’re in or how many degrees it is. Them joints should not be worn by anyone who grew up in the hood no matter how successful you become. Let me stop lying, if Beyonce asked me to wear them i’d wear them joints in mid-January all over NYC. “Be a good boy and put these on…” Yes ma’am.
Nov.16 at 7:35 pm
Jake Appleman says:
So really O, Ciara or Mike Miller, who’s more woman?
Nov.16 at 7:58 pm
Darksaber says:
Yessir, and young B could even slap me on da ass with em flip flop joints. Yes ma’am indeed. Is it possible that babe’s got even hotter than in her younger years? way to work it Hov (although i hear he been rocking Rihanna’s world lately, on the lowlow)
Nov.16 at 8:16 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
To paraphrase Omar, Mike Miller’s a bird.
1
Nov.16 at 9:19 pm
Dbomb says:
Yeah jay-z did kinda the same crap as e-40. 40 used to make hard stuff on his old school stuff, but when he made an album with lil john it was just redonkulous. Hova made this album to appeal to the 50 cent generation.
Nov.16 at 9:47 pm
Omar says:
Mike Miller’s way more woman than Whitney Houston. And she’s every woman. So that’s saying something. And yeah, i think Hov went after the 50 generation as opposed to the OG’s such as me and everyone else that’s been following him since Reasonable Doubt. And yeah, Beyonce is way hotter now than when she was singing “no no no”. And she’s only going to be getting hotter.
Nov.16 at 9:58 pm
Omar says:
And for the record, Jay-Z absolutely D-STROYED Jim Jones on every level on “Brooklyn High”. Whew! Now that’s the Jay-Z we all know and love. F*ck Ballin’! It’s BROOKLYN!!
Nov.16 at 10:08 pm
Ryan Jones says:
“Mike Miller’s way more woman than Whitney Houston. And she’s every woman. So that’s saying something.”
O, that’s one of your best lines EVER.
Nov.16 at 10:15 pm
Derms says:
Jay ain’t a business man, he is a business, mayne! Trouble is the hotness, the rest is boring. Like watching Mike shoot jumpers and pass to squibbs on the wiz.
Nov.16 at 10:42 pm
Omar says:
Good looking on the props Ry. And is it just me, or do you think right about now that Beyonce song “Irreplaceble” is getting mad burn in Britney Spear’s iPod and killing K-FedEx everytime he hears it?
Nov.16 at 11:06 pm
marlon says:
I’m just asking? Why do we want a 37 year old man still on gangsta shit? Dude is about to be 38 years old. His fanbase, like me is 10 years older than we were when the classic known as reasonable doubt came out. Man, niggas evolve, I hope. If niggas is at the same level that they were 10 years ago they need help. The album shows a maturing HOV that actually is shwoing more creativity than I think any other album as far as subject matter goes. Hollywood does sound pop as hell, but lyrically is crazy (if u know the people he names), minority report (I’m in louisiana and that’s real when u can bash yourself in a song cause u aint give your time), beach chair, lost ones, intro, and do u wanna ride are very different for hov and show an evolution as an artists for real. Maybe I’m really tired of the rap that’s out talkin about crack and killing that I really like the album. But that’s just me Only 2 club joints on the album. That’s works for me and I even like them.
Nov.17 at 12:30 am
Omar says:
Marlon has a very real and credlble point. Yes, Jay has matured more than most of the fans in his age racket. But listen to the first single and most of his album. He really is trying to reach the crowd that isn’t his fans.
Nov.17 at 6:48 am
Drolfe says:
Omar, re your comment about you getting clapped for this, do you think Jay would ever see this? And i dont mean that in a rhetorical way, I mean do you think he would one day actually get his hands on this? I wouldn’t be very suprised if he did. I mean.. he would have to read his reviews. I’m going to assume XXLs review of this album will be much more favourable than this one is. It wouldnt be that hard to believe that someone could put this one in front of him at some stage. Do you agree/not agree? Im just saying well done for putting it on blast (kinda) without any reservations.
Nov.17 at 9:39 am
so fresh n so clean says:
“Yeah jay-z did kinda the same crap as e-40″ I know Jay sold out..but you can’t compare him to a guy that made a song with T-PAIN.. T-PAIN YALL!!! He made a song about falling in love with a stripper! HE’S A RAPPER TURNED SINGER! Who the hell is a rapper turned singer? I mean do you start spitting rhymes and realize that you sound better singing..with a synthesized voice. Maybe I’m the only one that feels this way.. Correction: I had sex with Katie too..
Nov.17 at 1:19 pm
Rick Kang says:
Jay-Z is the close to the worst thing that ever happened to Rap Music. Yes, Rap Music, not “hip hop”. That whole “business, man” line sums it up — he’s not an artist, he’s about making money.
Which is fine if you’re an industrialist — and not that I think artists don’t deserve to make money. But any artist that puts the money first is worse off for it — and he is the most blatant example. Jigga killed Rap (along with Puff). And the ad for Kingdom Come looks pretty damn cheap for Mr. $38 Million… Hire a designer, loser….
Nov.17 at 1:29 pm
Omar says:
Hey Marlon, i ain’t saying i want Jigga to be on no gangsta sh*t, but he really could’ve done a WAY better job choosing beats and perfecting flows. And btw, he might be 37 and too old to be on that gangsta sh*t, but he let Jim Jones have it on some gangsta sh*t. “Kidnapp mine? N**** i will clit-clat, push ya wig back further than Tyra Banks hairline…If you ballin’, what i’m doing can’t be defined…” Brooklyn stand up!!!!
Nov.17 at 4:03 pm
marlon says:
Omar, Good comeback. I’m not saying that the album is perfect, or his best work, but. It is still a very good and mature album. U r very correct, he says a few gangsta things, but no where near as much as he had in the past and what the youngstas want. Like I said, I’m really tired of crack rap and guns and shit. Personally, I’m not a killer and I didn’t sell drugs (have been around it, but never sold it), so this album is kind of like shit I can relate to. That’s why I love the album.
Nov.17 at 4:09 pm
30 plus says:
I think Jay is building his brand right now. He has a little somethign for everyone right now. He’s politicking on this album. Personally, I think he’s got a little bit of everyone of his albums on this album. He’s introspective, hood, lyrical, pop, rock, rapper, hustla, son, father, etc. This is one that is going to stand the test of time. On this album he’s actually admitting dealing drugs was wrong. The dude is going aroudn the world putting in water pumps. Do you think he wants to talk about sellign crack on every song? NO! He’s evolving hip-hop as a culture. “Truthfully, I wanna rhyme like common sense, but I did 5 million, I ain’t been rhymin’ like common since, when your sense got that much in common, and you been hustlin since, f*** perception, go with what makes sense” explains it all. Remember he doesn’t have to sell another record. He’s expanding the audience for hip-hop. I appreciated the album very much. To me, it’s a classic along with Low-End Theory and Midnight Mauraders.
Nov.17 at 4:09 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
After a couple listens its not that bad, when you take it for what it is.
Plus Jays never been that good at picking beats.
1
Nov.17 at 4:55 pm
Omar says:
Whoa!! A classic??? Hell to the naw! I love Jay. He’s one of my favorite MCs of all time, but let’s be real here, his beat selection and flow got lazy. Yes, he’s matured and like i said, lyrically Jay is still tearing it up, but the songs he’s creating aren’t what they used to be and they haven’t evolved either. He’s making subpar music with meaning. Sounds crazy i know, but that’s what it is. And yeah, you’ll take it for what it is because Jay is Jay, but it’s not an album that people will be playing in 5-10 years (Blueprint 2 anyone?)
Nov.17 at 4:59 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
i got a copy today but i haven’t listened to it yet. Is it worse than Blueprint 2? Or In My Lifetime? O hold ya man down!
Nov.17 at 5:16 pm
Omar says:
I liked In My Lifetime. In My Lifetime was 10 times better than this joint by far! So no, it’s not worst than that. But Blueprint 2 did have better beats and Jay had better flows, so yeah, it could be worst than that. But i think you might like it. It’s “Grown up” music apparently. As far as a real hip-hop album tho, it failed. “30’s the new 20″? You trying to sell make-up or something?
Nov.17 at 6:05 pm
marlon says:
Omar. U good. I love in my lifetime vol. 1. That shit had some of jays best songs on there. He had lucky me, where I’m from, imaginary player. The intro is one of the best ever. Jay is my favorite ever and I really can’t judge this album against the others cause its totally different to me. Classic? Only time will tell. Good album? Absolutely. Yougstas won’t like it, but that’s not his target market
Nov.17 at 11:46 pm
Omar says:
I wonder why people hated in My Lifetime vol. 1. Not only did it have Lucky Me, but even deeper songs like “You Must Love Me” and “Streets is Watching”. The only whack song on that whole album was that joint with Lil’ Kim and the other one with Baby Face.
The “One In A Million” intro was probably his best intro song ever.
Nov.19 at 7:22 am
holla@choboy says:
I think you’ve all made some good points… Coming from a real Jigga fan (this dude has inspired me even though he’s a biter AND a writer), I wasn’t expecting a fire album. I was disappointed with the whole mess just like I was when Jordan came back the 2nd time. What I was expecting was a couple hot lines to re-inspire my ass. I feel like these two lines make the shit worth it: “Not afraid of dyin’, I’m afraid of not tryin’, everyday, hit every wave like I’m Hawaiian.” “Just when you thought it was all over I put the whole world on my back in broad shoulders the boy Hova.” Yes
Nov.19 at 11:02 pm
TRUTH HURTS NO NEED FOR LYING says:
IS IT ME OR IS YALL TRYING DISS HIM RO WHAT I JUST GOT THE NEW ISSUE OF DOUBLEXXL DEC6 COPY AND JAY SAYS HE IS 34 SO STOP MAKIN OLDER THAT WHAT HE IS FUCKIN CLOWNS
Nov.19 at 11:45 pm
young cg says:
I’m just tryin to figure out why Omar talkin bout jay not makin music for the hood. Dude grown as hell and he already done all that hood music, now he on that grown man music. His lyrics are still on point and his flow is lazy sometimes but if he don’t care why should we. I wasn’t expecting a classic from Jay anyway but its about a 4/5
Nov.20 at 1:53 pm
Omar says:
Man he keep bigging up Brooklyn and all this in his songs, who’s he talking to? The dudes that live in Williamsburg??? Hell naw, he talking to the hood, but there’s only 4 hood songs on this 14 song album. And i wasn’t expecting a classic, but i was expecting a Jay that was going to prove he hadn’t lost it. And we got the Jay that haters been waitin for. I’ll still bump those 4 songs and like 1 other that he has on the album, but that’s it!
Nov.20 at 6:11 pm
Max Airington says:
Anyone still sleepin on Vol I gets their hood pass revoked. “Where you can’t put vest away, and say you’ll wear it tomorrow, cause the day after we’ll be sayin’ ‘Damn I was just wit him yesterday’…”
Nov.20 at 9:58 pm
tsmith7791 says:
Hey O whats your thoughts on the new AZ CD? AWOL was a hood classic and straight brooklyn the whole way through.
Nov.20 at 10:36 pm
Omar says:
Before we even get to AZ’s new album, how about the hip-hop community gives props to his debut album, Doe or Die. That was a hood classic and pure Brooklyn all the way. “And since i was a tar face baby watching Scarface i dreamed of guns and tons of coke on a car chase / a fat connect with a Kingpin Colombian, and props with crooked cops, paying those tops not to run me in.”
Nov.21 at 8:21 am
Chunky says:
All i have to say is from reading the review the guy was right about some of the beats not being top of the line, but the strange thing is that my opinion was that the just jase beats were not on the spot. I am 29 and this album was what i expect from a 36 year old, for example although Busta’s album was off the chain, one of the baddest for the year, it was not what i expected from a person in their thirties but maybe i am just from a different culture, this one of the more personal well rounded album from Jay, if more thug and gangsta is required maybe Game and 50 is the better album for the writer, a person can only be who they are, thats the sweet thing about being a musician, you can use music to express it, this album gets a 8.5 from me.HOV has constantly repeated for the last couple years been there done that how much gangstar can he be, also god really help hio hop if diddy, busta, Nas and HOV have to come back. furhter more i am agreeing with you the beats were weak, assuming this is what he had to work with, he really is H.O.V.A. God MC. PEACE OUT!!!!
Nov.21 at 8:50 am
Chunky says:
Its strange reading the comments above, i liked ‘in my life time too’, but the oficial reviews for the album said it was too commercial, this shows that is really a matter of opinion. For me lyrically blueprint 2, reasonable doubt and volume 2 was the best lyrically, the black album was short and sweet, but i can’t deny decreases in energy but i also see growth and well roundness. as for the comment on 30’s the new 20’s when or if the individual hits that age they will understand, he is actually setting trends and being different and thats what being successful is about. if we remember also it is only in the late 80’s through 90’s and thereafter big sagging clothes excessive jewellery and shiny thangs became a fashion statement, in the days of bugsy and malcolm x it was all suits, some say this white and the new way black, if being ridiculous and untidy is black i straight.
if we remember how jay came out he always was into this suit, mafia thing (see reasonable doubt videos)never really a busta with the dress code even realized he stop wearing earrings, his perogative, still wating for the present day biggie, jay-z and Nas though, hopefuls Lil Wayne, T.I. and Luda, but no East men, salt with that
Nov.21 at 9:00 am
Chunky says:
to truth hurts the individual with the fowl mouth, Jay-z date of birth: Dec 4th, 1969. don’t let magazines count for you, use you brain
Nov.21 at 5:25 pm
tsmith7791 says:
Yeah you right about doe or die. I havn’t listened to that in a minute. Mo money mo murda mo homicide is my joint. Doe or die might be the most slept on album of all time.
Nov.21 at 7:15 pm
mood says:
I really don’t get what the fuss is about. It was a GOOD album. I don’t know what standard folks are hold Jay to, but I’ve read some really stupid reviews. I heard it and I enjoyed it. No it’s not classic but its a solid effort. Dang, we’ve really been brainwashed by this garbage hip-hop out here.
Nov.21 at 9:46 pm
Pimplife says:
Kingdom Come is a huge shit sandwich. This album is garbage on top of garbage. Hov is falling in line with the rest of these rap cats, there has’nt been a good rap album out in about in 2 years, unfortunately Jay-Z did nothing to change this, neither did Snoop. Lets hope Godson can breathe life back into a dying artform.
Nov.22 at 12:30 am
j says:
This review is stupid. Jay is 37, we can’t expect him to be the same rapper he was when he retired or before that.
Nov.22 at 2:11 pm
Chunky says:
J is right and i asl agree with the dude, j’s album was cool, a solid effort, to be honest he is my best rapper, but he really has never been a blow you out the water sell 11 million like nelly or ludacris but whats important to me, is all round or well rounded success thats why they refer to him as the most successful rapper (after pac of course), alot of cats sold more records in there first few weeks than J but where are some of them now and why do they sell more, would anyone say nelly better than jay, everybody entitled to there opinion, i like jay but understand why people say nas better, but nas to me can’t switch up his style like jay, but i respect his positivity in his lyrics and sometimes dislike jhova for his negativity but thats personal.
the biggets things about j is how he plays with words, the fact he never writes, (see fade to black timberland interview) and he’s real nice or ugly even jazzo said that though he dislikes him and he not cool, he has never lied about anything on his records(this is jay all day everyday)
but there are some cool cats man, lupe, camillionaire, game(kinda talks too much though), kanye, jeezy,jada’s the bomb to me but underated we’ll see, give them a chance
Nov.22 at 2:40 pm
Omar says:
Man, i ain’t expecting Jay to be the same rapper he always was. Lyrically he’s still a beast. But he got lazy with the flow and his beat selection is not what it used to be in the past. And man, ain’t nobody ever gonna be a better MC than Big was.
Nov.22 at 3:38 pm
thalisteningparty says:
This album is a Jay-Z album that may disappoint. Everyone expected this to be the event album to end all event albums, however, the growth of Jay-Z is evident in just about every track. From “The Prelude), in which Jay-Z sets the mood…he speaks specifically to the critics “the games f’d up (people’s) beats is bangin’,(people) your hooks did it, your lyrics didn’t, your gangsta looks did…on the internet they like you should spit it, i’m like you should buy it (people) that’s good business.” He doesn’t quickly become an affiliate of the gangster rap movement fans, but he doesn’t have to. “Oh My God”, a huge Just Blaze track is one of the very few ego-filled tracks on the album, but even amidst his swagger, he manages to do it in only the way he can. “Kingdom Come” is an anthem for the block, Jay-Z puts on the proverbial cape and swoops down in hero-like fashion (i actually think this song should have been the title track). “Show Me What You Got”…Jay-Z…radio…hate it or love it… “Lost One” is an absolutely indearing yet humble testimony of Jay-Z goodbye to longtime business partner Damon Dash with “i heard (explitive) saying they made Hov, well may Hov say O.K. so, make another Hov’, (people) wasn’t playing they day role, so we parted ways like Ben and J.Lo., should’ve been did it but i’ve been in a daze though…” he also speaks allegedly about his current beau, Beyonce, and his nephew Kalik (spelling?) In “Do U Wanna Ride”, Jay-Z speaks to his currently incarcerated friend Emory Jones about what it will be like after he finally is released from prison…cool… “30 Something” if you listen closely it speaks to his growth, addressing a lot of these younger, overzealous, and lyrically challenged artists of today’s time by stating the diffences between generations. “I Made It” speaks to his mom…how dare you speak negativally…i guarantee you could no better… “Anything” posing as the “commercial/club” record is quite listless…but it’ll get radio play…ho hum…”Hollywood”, Jay’s collab with Beyonce is no “Crazy In Love”, but will there ever be another one of those?????? It’s cute… The album takes quite an aggresive return in the next 2 songs “Trouble” and “Dig A Hole”. Trouble is to “Kingdom Come” as “Threat” was to “The Black Album”, what “Politics As Usual” was to “Reasonable Doubt”, it an aggressive warning to the new rappers attempting to bark up the wrong tree. “Dig A Hole” may be a sleeper battle track silently aimed at Damon Dash and Camron….i guess you’ll just have to hear for yourself… “Minority Report” is a very sentimental, Dre produced track that speaks about the Hurricane Katrina incident. The only gripe i have with the song is Ne-Yo…WHY IS HE THERE?????? HE SUCKS!!!! And the album takes an epic turn in the ending track “Beach Chair”, being a letter to his unborn child. It brings a fresh change to the typical “hip-hop” sound. In general, the album showcases a newer, developed Jay-Z. Truthfully, you’re not supposed to be the same with each new album. And despite the horrible reviews websites and magazines may issue, there probably won’t be many albums as versatile as this Jay-Z album through next year…therein lies the problem…No one since Jay has left has been able to carry hip-hop’s weight…not even Nas…which is really scary…Busta Rhymes hit…but now…where did he go? Nas has had a full album since Jay left…it flopped…The Roots…?…Lupe Fiasco…decent sales…but he’s not quite a star…Dipset…no comment…ever…(except maybe…sometimes…in very rare circumstances…Juelz Santana) but even he can be a bit un-inspiring, un-original, un-intelligent, un…fill in the blank…Ghostface…phenomenal album…where’s the love? Lil’ Wayne…talk about something more that the hood…you’re kissing men…T.I., no gripes, really…every other south rapper. >:(That’s why Jay has penetrated this game on so many different levels…he knows that he doesn’t have to be the same old Jay to sell…why should he?…he’s not…if this is the best album he could’ve possibly muster, it’s still better than 95% of the hip-hop albums to be released in the next 3 years. Sorry guys, this is what the 20 and under crowd has done to music…I think Jay’s album is respectable on many different levels…not his best but very respectable…
Nov.22 at 3:57 pm
Omar says:
I’ma be real. The album was good…until after “Lost Ones”. It was all downhill from there. Everyone keep saying jay shows growth on this album and all. Hasn’t he been doing that on EVERY album since Reasonable Doubt? People hated In My Lifetime Vol. 1 and it was one of his realest albums. Only 3 whack tracks on that one. This one on the other hand showed everyone that Jay is in fact rusty. On the flow and beat selection. I said it, lyrically he’s still the man. As far as everything else, he needs to step it up a notch.
Nov.22 at 4:11 pm
Microwavable says:
Evenone is talking about the intro being so hot (I agree). The beat is from Quasimoto - Axe Puzzles (if someone already posted this, my bad) By the way Lord Quas kept it gansta on his last album
Nov.22 at 6:30 pm
Big c**k says:
J is the king still the king u guys just scam to the music u don’t listen to the words.
Nov.23 at 7:39 am
Ice Water Raw says:
There are some serious Jigga haters. Haters even on the board. To plan a successfull plot and excute it over 3 years is amazing. He’s put water pumps around the globe, got a basketball team, and keep consistant bangers. My favs so are: Oh My God, Kingdom Come, Lost Ones, Do You Wanna Ride, Trouble, Dig A Hole & Beach Chair!
Nov.23 at 11:53 am
Chunky says:
that true, what happens to Busta, he hit hard and just dissapear, i hough he had plenty room for more videos, its like luda, he usually kills videos on his albums but i have only scene 1 to date, i think a bad thing about hip hop is its dependency on videos now is too greta so i have heard albums with greta tracks but couldn’t figure out what the hell would they use for a video.
didn’t hear ghost face will cop that, t.i. has greta potential i like him.
i totally agree with the listening part, i copped jeezy, game and lil’wayne yesterday and listen to them at leat most of the tracks and i was dying for jay-z’s album by today, i played jz for 3 days i am already tired of jeezy(it was cool but mannn, coke right through the album). so whats up with that. game could not get of dr. dre’s dick every track he mentions him and he talking bout being right up there next to snoop and saviour of west coast, hmmmmmmm. lil’wayne was cool, nice beats, plenty music.
Nov.23 at 4:01 pm
Omar says:
Congrats to my man Jay. Slated to move 80,000 units in it’s first week. The album wasn’t all that to me, but Jay’s my man and he deserves to move that amount if not more for all the grinding he’s put in since retiring. That includes the water movement, taking over Def Jam and doing all them shows in one day this past week. I salute you my dude. BROOKLYN!!!!!
Nov.24 at 4:23 pm
ayy CHRiS says:
jay is still the best rapper alive next to T.I. he is just doin what p. diddy is doin tryin to reach all audiences but p. diddy album is crap and jay z still has old jay z in wiht a mixture of some new stuff i agree not what i was expecting but still hes the mike jordan of recording maybe one more album then he should retire and buy himself a island or somthn lol
Nov.25 at 11:53 am
dromatic23 says:
Omar, Omar, Omar, you lost it, Jay didn’t. Check you out, after Lost Ones the cd only gets better and before Lost Ones the cd is great. Imagine that! Hov for true fans is exactly this Jiggaman. He could attempt to make a wack track and it won’t work. Thats how sick he is. Between all of us here on this site, I gots to tell you that I’m tired as well as that kid Marlon is listening to this murder/drug bullshit that all rappers talk about sounding like they were in a meeting and decided to rap about the same ish. Nah, Omar, you got it twisted. Ain’t no rapper alive touching Jays’ level, not even Nas. He is on top of his game. The difference with Jordan and Hov is that unfortunately bones become weary to do lay ups and jump shots like you were younger but as you grow older you get wiser and thats just something you never lose. Jim Jones, garbage, Camron..no comment, 50 cent is just that, cheap when he is on it..who else, Juelz-no knowledge- see maybe Kanye but close to Jay no way even if he stayed in college.
Niggas i ain’t even a rapper but name one who is better then Hova
Nov.25 at 5:41 pm
holla@choboy says:
To all the Jiggaman haters out there: “Dig a hole bury yourself.”
Nov.25 at 10:08 pm
Dbrad says:
OMAR, Jay and B did Crazy in Love, not Dangerously in Love. Have you heard of Jay-Z ever? The albumn is nice, he is 38 time to stop all that i’m a thug crap. He’s not and I love tha the is rapping abuot his world as it is and not still acting broke just to get street cred…
Nov.26 at 3:07 am
TEE says:
I lyke da last comment by holla@choboy. “Lyke Hov why don’t cha get at old boy/why kill the puppet and leave Geppeto alive? …” I’m sayn most of yall on here bashin Jay, but u gotta listen 2 his lyrics. He nice wit it. It aint alwayz bout da beats, I mean look at whats out there now. Jay even say it himself, “The game’s fuckd up, niggas beats is bangin, nigga ya hooks did it, ya lyrics didnt.” Ive been a fan of Jay’s since Reasonable Doubt, dnt u xpect a person 2 grow n mature ova 10yrs. Dats what he was hitn on on 30 Something. Jay is tryna reach out 2 different types of people not jus 1. He’s not a businessman, he’s a business, man. He dumbs down 4 his audience. lol. He is as real as it gets, he even hits up on da rumors of him n Free on Track 11 Trouble. I say yall need 2 sit down n listen 2 da lyrics n stop worryin bout da beats. Minority Report is hot as hell. PS 2 Russ, u tell me what happens when a King dies?? Yes, anotha 1 takes his place. U talkn bout there is only 1 King of NY n he’s dead(RIP BIG I’m a fan of his also), cum on now thnk bout. 4 those of u who thnk yall got him on ya friends list here’s a quote from Jay himself: “Evryday hit evry wave lyke I’m Hawaiian/I dnt surf da net/No ive neva been on Myspace/2 busy letn my voice vibrate/Carvin out myspace” LMFAO
Nov.26 at 9:05 pm
Omar says:
Dromatic, you is bugging. If you think the beats and flows after the first 5 tracks were dope then you MUST be from the burbs! Nah, i don’t expect him to be on some thug sh*t. But he could at least pick some banging beats to kick that grown man sh*t over. Dbrad, Jay ain’t 38, he’s 36. Do the knowledge. Questioning whether i’ve EVER heard of Jay-Z, you bugging. I was a Jay fan when you was praying to God for a House of Pain comeback. So don’t play yaself. I told ya over and over. Lyrically Jay murdered this album. Musically and sonically, it was subpar.
Nov.27 at 12:22 am
Lucky Lefty says:
Just because you didn’t like the album doesn’t mean that everyone else feels the same. Jay is a trendsetter and he isn’t afraid to try something new. The album sounds the way it does because Jay didn’t want it to sound like all the other albums out there. You might not appreciate what he was trying to accomplish, but truth me over 500,000 people who bought the album did– I say that with the utmost confidence because over 500,000 got to hear the album on Clearchannelmusic.com before buying the album.
Nov.28 at 5:40 pm
a.d.i.r.a.b says:
omar you failed to mention the joint where he got a cam and dame !
“why kill the puppet and leave japedo alive “- dig a hole i think thats the hotest track on that bitch !
Nov.29 at 1:17 am
Brandon says:
This is a flat out horrible review.
Nov.29 at 1:55 pm
Omar says:
“Dig A Hole” was really weak. Swizz gave other people beats that was SO much better. But you right, Jay did him but he coulda got a little iller with it.
Dec.1 at 8:18 pm
Harlem World says:
I pulled out the vinyl (what y’all young uns know bout that?) of Ready To Die today and listened the whole way through. Had to pull back a few times just to let BIG take me there and understand where there is. I can’t front. Christopher Wallace was the TRUTH. However… If you’re judging the best ever on ENTIRE catalogue? Track for Track, its going to be Jay. I don’t believe the best MC should be judged in that way - I think you got to go with an MC’s best work and put it head to head with his competition. Whether it be single track or single album. In that context, I might be the only voice on the block sayin this sh*t but I have to go with Kane in the ‘87/’88 season. In the infamous words of Kool G Rap (read up, kids) MC’s got on Kanes dick like a human shish kebab. That Ready To Die shit was banana juice though. Word to Oliver Miller.
Dec.1 at 8:20 pm
Harlem World says:
Oh, and I know that post had nothing to do with Kingdom Come, but y’all already said all there is to say both sides. That’s whay 37 year old rap sound like. I’d take it over that Game or 50 cent bullshit any day of Esther Baxters week.
Dec.2 at 4:38 am
Young Harlem says:
I have no idea what any of you morans are talking about. I’ve been listening to Jay-z for 9 years now and this new shit that he’s put out is GREAT. What you have to realize is
Jay-Z has evolved into something that cannot be categorized. He has evolved into HOVA for real. If you dont recognize that you are an Idot.
Dec.4 at 4:06 pm
Omar says:
Man, Raekwon was MAD at that album.
Dec.4 at 5:00 pm
Omar says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yxpn49AhEc
Dec.4 at 5:40 pm
tsmith7791 says:
I don’t think rae was trying to start something, be was just being real. A lot of hood niggaz aint feeling it, and raekwon is definitely a hood nigga. With that being said, he better bring it for cuban linx 2, Ive been fiendin for a return to form for raekwon for a while. CUBAN LINX 2 NIGGAZ
Dec.6 at 5:42 pm
Glory says:
This is a real grown man album. I guess am sayin if you’re a dipset or game fan your really not going to feel this album. if you ask me this is one of HOV best albums i mean like he said on renegade “do you listen to music or do just skim through it” thats real. You got tracks like beach chair, minority report, trouble, Do you wanna ride the list goes on with album. The character of this album takes hip hop to another level wordplay, his flow, beats it’s crazy if you ca’t feel this album you’re not a hip hop head head you a listener.
Dec.7 at 2:03 pm
Omar says:
Man, ALL my peeps - Hood and Professional - feel the same way. This album was luke warm. Yes, it’s a grown man album. But the beats were weak like 7 days and the flows uninspired. The only people that are feeling this album are hip-hoppers who never lived in the hood and learned hip-hop culture while people such as myself lived it. And those who lived the cultire know that this album is a disappointment.
Dec.9 at 9:29 pm
Danny Ocean says:
To the people above who said only people who never lived in the hood feel this, you are ignorant. You are the small minded type of cat that believes what the white media tells you that you have to be a certain way your whole life and cannot progress because you live in the hood. You should edit it to say people under 23 don’t feel it, because most of them think life is all about clubbin and driving around. By the way I live in the hood and I think this shit is hot. And trust me, out here on the WEST coast,cats feel this shit for the most part. It’s not the street cats who don’t feel this,it’s really the poser club cats, who fight in the club and don’t actualluy have to walk the dark streets at night. Big up Jay,anybody over 22 who doesn’t like jewelry show rap is feeling this.
Dec.11 at 2:09 pm
Omar says:
Word! People are SO ignorant!
Dec.11 at 6:36 pm
Matthew says:
Omar, got the album this weekend. Listened to all the tracks and yeah I agree %100. Flow is still nasty, but the beats are bogus. I thought they were very plain and ordinary and most def nothing spectacular.
Dec.12 at 2:37 pm
Omar says:
THANK YOU MATTHEW!!!! I’ve managed to reach at least one person! My job is done.
Dec.22 at 7:37 pm
Kobe Berg says:
Omar, you gotta review The Clipse’s new album. Straight fire. And Trouble is ILL, it gets better with every listen.
Dec.26 at 11:08 pm
Omar says:
I must say, the Clipse new album is dope. And sadly yes, Trouble has grown on me against my will.
Dec.28 at 9:24 am
A.O says:
The King is Back Everyone!!! But it’s not jay-z!!! I’m taking about the God M.C!!! NAS!!! Sorry Jay-Z fans Hip-Hop is dead is way better than Kingdom Come!!! Just like Illmatic was better then Reasonable doubt, It Was Written was better then vol 1: In My Lifetime, Stillmatic was better then the Blue Print(don’t get me wrong The Blue Print like Stillmatic is a Classic), God Son was better then the Gift and the Cures. I’m a true Nas fan and i can say: Hard Knock Life was better that I Am, S.Carter was better than Nastradamus and the Black Album was better that Streets Dicipial. That’s about it(I only count solo albums; not sound tracks and albums to let your click shine). If we go toe to toe, blow for blow between their 8 solo albums Nas wins 5-3 not based on record sell but off of originality and lyrical skills. Sorry Jay-z fans but the truth hurts; so suck it up and live with it. holla!!! “Listen up silly clowns cause you’ll never be king even jigga want the crown how that sound??? Poor Thing!!! Nas: Destroy and Rebuild
Jan.1 at 10:43 am
tsmith7791 says:
Damn O youve been real slow on the reviews latly. its been more than a month brus.
Jan.6 at 4:13 pm
OLLIEWOOD says:
in 5 years it will be a classic then see what this clown has to say
Jan.12 at 3:19 am
slickdots says:
man this album didn’t live up to its own hype.
this should of been the black album and the black album shoulda been kingdom come (get what I’m trying to say).
Jan.16 at 5:02 pm
tsmith7791 says:
Is O dead?
Jan.19 at 9:38 pm
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
Kingdom Come - along with this whole pathetic sped-up retirement/comeback - is really nothing more than a marketing ploy. Someone here said Jay doesn’t need to sell any more albums. True perhaps, but he does need to sell more clothes and whatnot, since that is where his real money comes from. And that might be the real reason this album (which is certainly no classic and probably his crappiest album to date) was made. I’m kinda feeling Rick Kang. Although Jay’s flow is/was really nice, he’s still horribly overrated. Best MC ever? Jigga, please. He might have a bit more lyrical content on Kingdom Come than before (which isn’t saying much), but the whole album stinks of stale greed. Should’ve stayed retired.
Jan.27 at 9:07 pm
trae one says:
jay is that dude! nas no where near
Feb.10 at 4:42 pm
tat tzam says:
pretentious hip hop snobbery is not for the faint of heart…enjoy the music for what it is for the people up top.
Feb.19 at 12:43 am
Big Seph says:
It sounds like the critic is basing his opinions on the prior efforts of the artist. Isn’t evolution what art is all about? The hood anthems of Reasonable Doubt were relavent for the Jay-Z of that time, but the lyrics of each album have been true to evolution of the man. He is no longer hustling the street corners of Brooklyn, he is hustling the board rooms of the industry. The man has grown but the hustler remains. I would hope that his listeners have grown up with him.
Apr.16 at 3:06 pm
J.O. says:
I agree with Big Seph. If Jigga was rappin the same as he was back in the day then he would be fake straight up. I think the reviewer is on some BS talking about his music “erosion” cause he’s not around hood folk? Tell you the truth I didn’t really like it to much the first time I heard it but I always listen to CDs 3 time through before I pass judgement on it because with music the first time isn’t always the best. Now that I’ve set on it for a while I think it’s one of his better albums period. Who wants to hear a man worth $300 million talk about kickin down doors in the present tense or talk about a past he’s 10+ years removed from? That’s petty. I don’t know about you but I rather pick the brain of a dude that can have the door kick down from his bedroom. If you’re as hood as you say then you’re supposed to look for something better to work towards so this should be what the hood listen to. I hang around the wild boys and they want to listen to the wild gangsta ish all the time cause that’s what they’re about but (although I hate to say it about my people) as much as I try to help them they probably not goin anywhere. Most people bashin Jay-Z are not even Jigga fans. If you were buyin CDs in 95 you probably didn’t get resonable doubt. The bandwagon got crowded with Vol 2(when he “dumbed down for the audience”). Vol 1 is the only jigga CD I’ve never heard and Vol 2 was the worst(black album is second to me).
Dec.15 at 9:35 pm
Jigga says:
does anybody kno what song is playing before lost one plays in the video
Mar.29 at 11:13 pm
Cnote says:
Somehow I still can’t get my head wrapped around Jiggah and Beyonce go figure the biggest lips in the game vs the biggesta**
Mar.29 at 11:18 pm
Cnote says:
I’m sorry but I just can’t get my head wrapped around j and Beyonce getting hitched go figure the biggest lips in the industry vs the biggest a** do disrespect entended