The first round (artists' albums) was an even contest, with my eventual winner being based solely on preference. I began this round operating under the assumption that, "Damn, maybe it is only a preference."
Nothin' to it but to do it.
10. "Your Only a Customer" (Prod. by Irv Gotti) - Streets is Watching Soundtrack (1998)
Some serious swag on a track where Gotti is using the Mary J. and LL Cool J sample. Slower song with slower rhymes, but still I'm feeling the track this a ton. 'Streets it Watching' was a decent all around listen.
9. "I'll Be" with Foxy Brown (Prod. by Trackmasters) - Ill Na Na (1997)
I've always had a soft spot for both Foxy and Lil' Kim. Foxy is an interesting woman, as she was heavily involved with both Jay-Z and Nas. Jay-Z didn't even have a huge part in this song, but he still did enough for me.
8. "The Originators" with The Jaz - To Your Soul (1990)
Jaz was pretty solid back in the day. I find it especially important to look back at Jay-Z's old stuff. He was a monster and the speed of his delivery and control of delivery back then was sick. Looks like a newborn baby.
7. "4 Da Fam" with Amil, Memphis Bleek & Beanie Sigel (Prod. by Ty Fyffe) - All Money is Legal (1999)
You listening to everything from an artist in order, you can tell style changes and also tell when an old style returns for a short stint. Beanie and Bleek both serve as nice contrasts to this "new and improved" Hov.
6. "Celebration" with Memphis Bleek, Sauce Money & Wais (Prod. by Mahogany) - Streets is Watching Soundtrack (1998)
This was exactly the reason why I wanted to be thorough in this exercise. I wouldn't be able to name this out as a great track off the top of my head. Well, it sure as hell is just that. Unlike the last track, Jay-Z gets it going from verse 1 and sets the tone on a terrific beat.
5. "Show & Prove" with Big Daddy Kane, Scoob Lover, Sauce Money, Shyheim & ODB (Prod. by DJ Premier) - Daddy's Home (1994)
After you get through the first annoying as shit verse, you will experience a sigh of relief and be able to move forward with your day. Jay starts around 4:00 and gets after for a solid minute with some fierce wordplay.
4. "Time to Build" with Mic Geronimo, Ja Rule & DMX (Prod. by Irv Gotti) - The Natural (2005)
I had forgotten this song existed. Early Jay-Z proves once again grimy. I liked this Irv Gotti track more than 99% of his other songs. A young DMX helps rekindle the magic and impact of his debut release of "It's Dark and Hell is Hot" in 1998.
3. "Da Graveyard" with Big L & Lord Finesse (Prod. by Buckwild) - Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous (1995)
Big L is just so filthy - truly one of the G.O.A.T.'s and he shines here. Although most of Jay-Z's verse slow and controlled, he speeds it up several times to a place seen in number 8 above. Love the Buckwild D.I.T.C.-style production.
2. "Analyze This" with Nas & Lord Tariq (Prod. by Pete Rock) - Unreleased
Early in the consolidated exercise, I questioned why Pete Rock and Jay-Z never worked together prior to the upcoming release of the Kanye and Jay-Z album. Totally forgot about this one. I can't say Jay-Z outdid Nas on this, but both had solid verses. Nice jazzy beat from the P.R.
1. "I Love the Dough" with Notorious B.I.G. & Angela Winbush (Prod. by Easy Mo Bee) - Life After Death (1997)
I mean, let's be honest, this is an all-time great song. This is a far superior song when compared to "Brooklyn's Finest." I mean far (oh, what production can do for a song!). The smooth beat, hook by Ms. Wimbush, and two greats getting after it. Being broke is childish and I'm quite grown!
The Rest:
11. "It's That Simple" with The Jaz (Prod. by Prince Paul) - To Your Soul (1990)
12. "Guess Who's Back" with Scarface & Beanie Sigel (Prod. by Kanye West) - The Fix (2002)
13. "Can I Get Open" with Original Flavor (Prod. by Ski) - Beyond Flavor (1994)
14. "Love For Free" with Rell (Prod. by Dinky Bingham) - Streets is Watching Soundtrack (1998)
15. "Pre-Game" with Sauce Money (Prod. by DJ Premier) - Middle Finger U (2000)
16. "Hawaiian Sophie" with The Jaz - A Word to the Jaz (1989)
17. "Welcome to New York City" with Cam'Ron & Juelz Santana (Prod. by Just Blaze) - Come Home With Me (2002)
18. "Foundation" with Sauce Money & Jaz-O (Prod. by Jaz-O) - Single Only (1996)
19. "Black Republican" with Nas (Prod. by L.E.S & Wyldfyer) - Hip Hop is Dead (2006)
20. "Brooklyn Go Hard" with Santogold (Prod. by Kanye West) - Notorious (2009)
21. "It's Alright" with Memphis Bleek (Prod. by Damon Dash & Mahogany) - Streets is Watching Soundtrack (1998)
22. "4 Alarm Blaze" with M.O.P. (Prod. by Laze E Laze) - First Family 4 Life (1998)
23. "Monster" with Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross & Bon Iver (Prod. by Kanye West) - My Twisted Dark Fantasy (2010)
24. "Your Love" with Christion (Prod. by AK47, Damon Dash, Dave G) - Streets is Watching Soundtrack (1998)
25. "Swagga Like Us" with T.I., Lil Wayne & Kanye West (Prod. by Kanye West) - Paper Trail (2008)
26. "Frontin'" with Pharrell (Prod. by The Neptunes) - Clones (2003)
27. "Light Up" with Drake (Prod. by 40 & Tone) - Thank Me Later (2010)
28. "Mr. Carter" with Lil Wayne (Prod. by DJ Infamous & Drew Correa) - Tha Carter III (2008)
29. "Maybach Music" with Rick Ross (Prod. by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League) - Trilla (2008)
30. "The Return Remix" with R. Kelly, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick (Prod. by Tone) - Unfinished Business (2004)
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