Shit Hot: Jay-Z

03 November 2009

by Nathan Jolly

From: New York
Sounds Like: Kanye West, Notorious BIG
Album: The Blueprint 3
Key Tracks: Empire State Of Mind, D.O.A

Jay Z is the undisputed king of hip hop. Well, that isn’t entirely true. There have been many disputes. Firstly there was the much-publicised tiff with rapper, Nas, which heated up in a series of ‘diss tracks’ over a number of years and was only put to bed a few years ago. Then there was the offhand quip made by elder statesman of rock Noel Gallagher about Jay-Z (or, in fact anything that isn’t ‘guitar music’) not belonging at Glastonbury. Needless to say, the press took the ball and ran with it, much to the amusement of both parties, who, according to Gallagher, have previously hung out in Tokyo. And more recently Jay-Z took a perceived shot at Kanye West and his excessive use of auto tune with the single D.O.A (Death Of Autotune)
   
Jay-Z has a net worth of $150 million, holds the record for the most number one albums in America by a solo artist, is CEO of multi million dollar empire Def Jam Recordings, co-owns the New Jersey Nets, and most importantly is married to Beyonce.
   
With eleven solo albums in thirteen years, plus a host of collaborations and greatest hits packages, Jay-Z has definitely worked hard to earn his crown. After a series of cameo appearances on songs in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s failed to score him a record deal, he took the entrepreneurial step of setting up his own independent label, the now-hugely-successful Roc-A-Fella Records, in order to release his solo work. Such was his ambition that when his debut album reached a ‘paltry’ number 23 in the Billboard Charts, he perceived this as a failure, and chased a wider distribution deal for his label, which was the beginning of his relationship with Def Jam records.
   
In the following years he managed to released a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, introduced the world to the production smarts of The Neptunes, collaborated with future wife Beyonce, Chris Martin, R Kelly and ex Wings member Paul McCartney, toppled a record previously held by Elvis Presley, and bought up a series of nightclubs, sporting teams and real estate.
   
Now, with his latest single Empire State Of Mind, he waves the flag for New York, creating both an ode for the city, and perhaps his most mature offering to date. Gone is most of the bravado that littered previous releases, and although the idea of defining such a historic and vital city betrays a certain level of arrogance, it is done in such an earnest way that it has received nothing but positive reviews. Gone is the sentiment of previous single Run This Town, of which Jay Z proclaimed, “We basically run this town. It's myself, Rihanna and Kanye. It's pretty much it,” and in its place lies an ode to the power of New York to provide the ultimate inspiration for self improvement and personal success.

The song was performed a few days ago at the second game of the 2009 Baseball World Series, and this is sure to be the first of many highlights packages, live performances and ceremonies that will feature the paean. With three hit singles in the bag, and plenty of other potential hits, The Blueprint 3 will be sticking around for a while yet.

Did You Know?

-Jay-Z has a clothing line Rocawear
-Attended the same school as Busta Rhymes and Notorious B.I.G
-Album The Blueprint was written in two days

For more information visit: Jayzonline.com