The Hova Appreciation Thread (Jay-Z), S. Carter. Options

[fameONE]

I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man. Let me handle my business, damn.

Everyone knows who Jay-Z is at this point. Pop culture has made him an icon and his business exploits has him chasing Oprah in terms of money, but has anyone ever really given Jay-Z a good listen? Sure, many of you suburban types may have learned more about him through his work with Linkin Park, but as good as that album was, it was very, very mediocre.

I've included a few tracks and music vids for everyone to check out, highlighting some of Hova's legacy in the game.

Vids:

Blue Magic
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wiuNd5SoU8E

Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qCDJ85DJJAs

Lost Ones
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RYv12Z-8AeM

Show Me What You Got
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qopwiGItevI

99 Problems
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eFwtb-tCl7o&feature=related

Dirt Off Your Shoulder
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oADXCcejOls

H to the Izzo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qRD-67cBm8k&feature=related

Can't Knock the Hustle
http://youtube.com/watch?v=96sFW-3vGv4

La La La (Excuse Me Again)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6lBxEH_6VPU

Tracks

Renegade (f/ Eminem)
http://spliffsmc.imeem.com/music/Uds4y6K1/...minem_renegade/

Hola Hovito
http://there-up.imeem.com/music/ORIEnIKC/j...ovito_explicit/

Streets Is Talkin'
http://profile.imeem.com/hvxnV8/music/SUcE...ets_is_talking/

Discuss.

[jesusisthebestth...]

I don't remember saying that Lil Wayne was a great rapper, I've always stressed that his delivery is the best in the industry right now. No one can take that away, can you disprove that? I'm not saying that he's good, I'm saying that what he says speaks to a large group of people...that's all.

I honestly believe that Jay-Z is re-making the same hits again and again and again. His last few albums, with the exception of American Gangster, had the same packaging, technique, and appeal. There is little or no difference from Blueprint to The Black Album to Kingdom Come. They're all the same. Jay-Z is losing his orignality - but that's what I expect from all rappers. There are only so many ways that you can say the same thing. That's all I meant.

[fameONE]

I don't remember saying that Lil Wayne was a great rapper, I've always stressed that his delivery is the best in the industry right now. No one can take that away, can you disprove that? I'm not saying that he's good, I'm saying that what he says speaks to a large group of people...that's all.

I honestly believe that Jay-Z is re-making the same hits again and again and again. His last few albums, with the exception of American Gangster, had the same packaging, technique, and appeal. There is little or no difference from Blueprint to The Black Album to Kingdom Come. They're all the same. Jay-Z is losing his orignality - but that's what I expect from all rappers. There are only so many ways that you can say the same thing. That's all I meant.

Damn girl, that font is killin' me.

Gillie Da Kid, Weezy's former ghostwriter...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y3K_fXqurGo

Its funny how Wayne sounds just like him. And he uses Clipse adlibs with some Jay-Z swagger.

You said this in a previous thread...

I'm giving it to Lil Wayne for his "Drought" Mixtapes because it's not enough to be a great rapper, nice freestyle artist or mixtape king. You have to make your mixtapes known. Lil Wayne did a concert in Canada which included some songs from his mixtapes. Why could he do that? Because he made his music, ALL of it known to the public. He made his mixtapes accessible to fans, Lil Wayne helped make mixtapes much more popular among everyday rap/hip hop fans, and that what it's all about.

Back to Hova, he doesn't have to release something groundbreaking for it to be hot. He's been telling the same story since Reasonable Doubt, and his tracks are still certified fire. How can anyone argue with that. 38 years old in the rap game and still relevant. Wow.