As previously stated, these are independent reviews of the two in question. I'm a firm believer in reflection, thus conclusions will come in subsequent postings.
The title says it all - on to it!
10. "The Ruler's Back" - The Blueprint (Prod. by Bink)
One of my favorite intro songs. Tough shoes to fill sampling the 1988 hip-hop classic by Slick Rick (and produced by the late Jam Master Jay), but they didn't even change the name of the song. Very few could get away with this, but Jay-Z is one of them. A powerful setup to a great album.
9. "Can't Knock the Hustle" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by Knobody & Hitmen)
This beat just makes me want to kick it. As every song on this album, Jay came with strong lyrics, and that coupled with smooth production is essentially unstoppable. I was a big Mary J. Blige fan from an early age. I'm not sure why, but I can't deny it. She's a legend.
The first of many collabs with one of the greats, DJ Premier. Neither Big Jaz or Sauce Money dropped the ball, and that's really all that needed to happen here. A bit of a darker track than most on the album, but it is welcomed if not necessary.
Interestingly enough, this song started off as #3 originally before a final scrub. Sometimes I leave myself with more questions than answers, this song plus the many other Primo joints had me wondering, "why didn't Jay ever work with Pete Rock in the 90's?" Luckily, Jay-Z and Kanye will be using one of Pete's tracks on the upcoming 'Watch the Throne' project.
Besides "Threat," this one might get the most eyebrow raises ("Who You Wit II" almost makes the top 10). I'm a huge fan of everything about this song. The sample from Wet Willie - 'Beggar Song' is magical, and Jay-Z lyrics leave nothing to be desired. I love a good Kid Capri beat.
5. "Brooklyn's Finest" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by Clark Kent)
Not even the best song B.I.G. and Jay-Z did together (says more for 'I Love the Dough' than it does for this one). The back and forth nature between two legends makes this a three-minute and forty second party.
4. "Politics as Usual" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by Ski)
One thing of note that makes this album very near the top for me is the applicability to many different moods, situations, etc., "four seasons" if you will. I can't think of a time where I wouldn't want to hear this song. Another major question I have, with 3 of my top 5 Jay-Z songs, "what in the hell happened to Ski after Reasonable Doubt?"
3. "Threat" - The Black Album (Prod. by 9th Wonder)
This song has always left me wanting more and more of Jay-Z over 9th Wonder production. At the time this song dropped, Jay had his niche producers and wasn't big on stepping out (tough to pass on a Just Blaze beat when weighing the bottom line). Hov was instrumental in 9th Wonder's involvement with the Destiny's Child album dropped in 2004, but I'm still shaking my head as to why there wasn't more.
2. "Feelin' It" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by Ski)
Another of my favorites - it was tough to pick a first with these two. Both spotlight a smooth, yet potent Jay. Super duper swag and the jazzy, mid-90's NYC production-style makes it sound that much better.
1. "Dead Presidents II" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by Ski)
Speechless. Jay-Z just does not get better than this. It's easy for me to argue this as one of my top 10 songs. In reference to Nas' 'The World is Yours' line, Jay later spat "you made it a hot line, I made it a hot song." No rebuttal. Pure filth.
The Rest:
11. "So Ghetto" - Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (Prod. by DJ Premier)
12. "Who You Wit II" - Vol. 1: In My Lifetime (Prod. by Ski)
11. "So Ghetto" - Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter (Prod. by DJ Premier)
12. "Who You Wit II" - Vol. 1: In My Lifetime (Prod. by Ski)
13. "Can I Live" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by Irv Gotti)
14. "Regrets" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by Peter Panic)
15. "Takeover" - The Blueprint (Prod. by Kanye West)
16. "Friend or Foe" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by DJ Premier)
17. "Intro/A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More" - Vol. 1: In My Lifetime (Prod. by DJ Premier)
18. "Coming of Age" - Reasonable Doubt (Prod. by Clark Kent)
19. "The City is Mine" - Vol. 1: In My Lifetime (Prod. by Teddy Riley & Chad Hugo)
20. "Imaginary Player" - Vol. 1: In My Lifetime (Prod. by Prestige of the Hitmen)
21. "Streets is Watching" - Vol. 1: In My Lifetime (Prod. by Ski)
22. "Friend or Foe '98" - Vol. 1: In My Lifetime (Prod. by DJ Premier)
23. "Izzo" - The Blueprint (Prod. by Kanye West)
24. "U Don't Know" - The Blueprint (Prod. by Just Blaze)
25. "All I Need" - The Blueprint (Prod. by Bink)
26. "Hard Knock Life" - Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (Prod. by The 45 King)
27. "Allure" - The Black Album (Prod. by The Neptunes)
28. "Reservoir Dogs" - Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life (Prod. by Erick Sermon)
29. "Lucifer" - The Black Album (Prod. by Kanye West)
30. "Public Service Announcement" - The Black Album (Prod. by Just Blaze)
Jay! Great thoughts. I agree with a lot of it, but I certainly think "Can I Live" is not only the best Jay-Z track EVER, but arguably one of the best hip hop songs of all time. The complete dive into the mind of a hustler but delivered in a way where anyone can connect emotionally. But no knocking your list at all b/c I know you gave it your due diligence. And no "Song Cry"?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout, Josh! It was close, man, very close!
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