Since JAY-Z dropped his new album, 4:44, a few weeks ago, it has been a hit with fans, fellow hip-hop artists, and the media.
To many, 4:44 represents a coming of age story for Jigga.
WATCH: Jay-Z – 4:44
Being one of the richest and well-known rappers in the game, many wondered: What could JAY-Z possibly say in this album that would change the game?
Turns out a lot. He talked about everything from his wealth, his family, to helping the Black community, and more.
The most anticipated thing that fans and media members hoped to get from Jay’s album was a response to Beyonce’s album, Lemonade. Jay not only delivered that, but he also came clean about cheating on Beyonce.
In the title track, 4:44, Jay talks about how he didn’t want another man raising his kid, referencing the situation between rapper, Future, and singer, Ciara. He also talked about his fear of Beyonce leaving him, without ever blatantly addressing her. Further, he talked about Halle Berry’s second husband, singer Eric Benet, and how he never wants to be him. By using these examples, it seemed that Jigga was acknowledging his mistakes, by juxtaposing his position with these other men. This is an album topic that a Magna Carta Holy Grail Jay-Z would not have addressed.
In 4:44, JAY-Z also spends time focusing on his race. In “The Story of OJ,” Jay uses one of OJ’s famous quotes, “I’m not black, I’m OJ,” to show that no matter how much money he makes, he feels that he will always face racial stereotypes and injustices as a Black man. He also touches on how he and other rappers have played into the minstrel show of the rap industry– talking about money that many times they don’t actually have instead of bringing to light issues facing the Black community. He talks about how he believes rappers need to invest in the Black community more.
To me, a lot of people were wrong to say, JAY-Z had nothing to say in this album. On the contrary, this maybe one of the most socially impactful albums since Kendrick Lamar’s Damn. As one of the oldest rappers in the game, JAY-Z held a mirror to the larger hip-hop community. He in a sense he was empowering our community.
But ultimately, we will have to wait and see the album’s true impact on the rap game and on our culture. If nothing else comes from 4:44, at least rappers know, fans have an appetite for some realistic and culturally encouraging music.
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