4:44: is grown-up rap. But the rapping isn’t that great.

Kenyon Binns
Jul 10, 2017 · 2 min read
He’s still my homeboy, but…

Jay-Z sounds like a rich, middle-aged guy on his new album. And that’s great. But he isn’t a great rapper any more.

Anyone who hoops knows that basketball, especially offense, depends on repetitions to get your rhythm and timing. You need to get your shots up before the game to get warmed up. On defense, timing can come into play when going for a steal or a block, but it’s mostly about effort. Imagine Lebron James showing up to a game after not touching a ball for two weeks. That’s Jay-Z on 4:44, in my opinion. He’s still good, but a little off. The jumper isn’t there.

In 2017, Hip Hop is entering it’s 44th year, if you go by the birth year of 1973, when Kool Herc started having his jams in the Bronx. It’s a huge, money-making industry now, and there are way to many rappers, in my opinion. There a lot of rappers who went away, and it might be that time for Mr. Carter. But in 2017, when it’s cool to mumble-rap about taking drugs, the recurring themes in 4:44 are great. Generational wealth and ownership are important concepts that the black community needs to start taking seriously. (Even though this is the same guy who ruined a Maybach with his buddy in a music video, allegedly, because they could. Take that cubicle drones!)


There is no maximum age on being a rapper, and there shouldn’t be. Pharaohe Monch and Black Thought (my two favorites) are still monsters on the microphone. Masta Ace is older than Jay-Z and still making amazing music. (Please don’t retire Ace.) By contrast, 4:44 sounds like Jay-Z said “I’ve got some time between meetings, I should get in the studio.” Remember this guy? “Is That Your Chick” isn’t exactly a black power anthem, but it just sounds like a different person putting the words together. That’s the point I guess. If they are lucky, people grow and evolve into older, better versions of themselves. In 2017 Jay-Z is a BUSINESS, MAN. He’s an example of black excellence that needs to be emulated. He’s one of the best ever. But at this point, he also sounds like a lazy rapper.

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