Editor’s note: DP dot com football pooler and drinking buddy 40 DILLA has gifted us with another drop, but this time he gives us his passion for Hip-Hop and cRap music with a review of the ‘Kingdome Come’ CD. This disk is turning out to be one of the most downloaded and discussed albums of all time. I’ve read several thorough reviews of the album and I was pleased when 40 submitted his take for publication. If you are a JAY-Z stan, or even a fan of today’s current pop music you should lend 40 your eyes for a moment so that he can open them up wide.
When Kingome Comes…
It seemed I’d catch heat from people when I told them I wasn’t clickin’ on any of the first three singles that dropped. I was called hater for 30 mins straight while in the barber’s chair. Needless to say this album dropped and only trend humpers would defend this mediocrity…
40 Dilla gives it 3 outta 5. He actually gets a 1/2 point just for being Jay, but for a “comeback album” he should have stayed with pushing off of Bryon Russell and canning the winning shot for his final championship.
I still think his career is gonna finish like Jordan – getting fired from his front office job and having to leave with some sort of shame and disgust. Sadly this could have been fixed with a mere $2 – a pen & a pad.
Actually I had high standards for it. I mean since Jay has entered that “rarified air” of hip-hop royalty I have a different set of criteria for him that I only reserve for the “greats”. My issue with it was that I had expected more for this piece de resistance comeback album. I usually don’t DL albums off of SOHH and I’m a pretty opinionated person as it is so I don’t see myself succumbing to the manic crack-babyness of Spot discussion…
Now for Mr. Jones album I’ve heard two songs – “Hip-Hop Is Dead” which is cool but the rehashing of “Thief’s Theme” is very meh to me. “The N” I’m digging right now, but alas its only two songs. I could be as honest with Nas ‘ next effort. Because as much as I got love for Nas, I don’t have “Nastradamus” and “I Am” got medium spins at that from me. So that just to say even if I consider you one of the bests you still don’t get “Instant Classic” status like they give out on SOHH….
I mean be honest for “Kingdom Come” – I was told that there was like 3-4 Dre tracks and my neck didn’t snap once while listening to it… I’m actually disappointed. Its like having a kid doing bad in school and you know he can do better and your just hoping that he does, or you keep having him try again with the hopes of better results… You wanna call yourself savior, king, president, etc, I’m gonna judge more stringently. Like honors kids can’t get away with pulling special ed quality work ya’ know?
My thing with Jay is that he lies to himself, its almost tragic. I think this guy legitimately respects the lyrical abilities of Common, Ghost, Kweli, Mos, AND Nas. He wants to be lauded by his fellow artists as an artist. You ask anyone about Jay and people cite his savvy before they site his skills. His rags to riches story is truly the American dream, but I think he’s caught in a real conundrum and that bothers him. He’ll never be truly appreciated by the business world (he owns a 5% stake in a group that holds a 15% interest of the Nets, and Ratner is getting tons of mileage out of it) and he’ll always be at the bottom 5 of the average person’s top-10 lists. So what its gonna be Jay? I look at it two ways…
1. You’re rich beyond your wildest dreams. You’re the president of the pre-eminent rap label in history. You spent your last “magnum opus” crowing about how artistically unappreciated you are. So buck up. You’re retired this album isn’t gonna make or break you at this point so go ahead – be an artist. I’m sure his album sales are probably one of his smaller checks. He has access to whomever he wants – USE THEM. While on your yacht in Ibiza, use your Bulgari pen and jot a few rhymes down. We won’t hold it against you. BASICALLY HE CAN AFFORD TO BE ARTSY.
or
2. Become Jay-Z the mogul. Russell Simmons 2.0 and become raps first billionaire. I was actually growing fond of Shawn Carter the Business Man. I was impressed with the opportunities presented to him and the way he was going about that. I was legitimately interested in watching his corporate sucess. I mean this was a guy I stood next to at The Roxy in 1998 and we’re both waiting to order a drink. To see someone go from that to where he is now is impressive. And I continue to be interested where he takes it…
Unfortunately, #1 seems to still matter to him – OR THATS WHAT HE’S TRYING TO SELL TO THE TRUE FANS OF RAP (as opposed to the TRL set). So at this point – pick a side Jay. Just stick with it for a few years. Honestly I don’t think people would be mad with either decision.
Shit, I’m almost 32, with a great job, health benefits, saving to buy a home, and pushing a sizable whip and I’M NOT FEELING IT. I think this album will probably alienate most of his younger fan base and become the soundtrack for people going through their mid-life crisis. You know those people in their late 30’s who are trying to get some of their cool swagger back. Parents will think this album will bridge the generational gap by thinking “its hot” and kids will roll their eyes in the back of the minivan like “Why do they like this old guy”. Someone here made a good point about if this was some rookie’s first album it would be a little more acceptable. But understand this – this is going to be the first rap album that alot of people will have bought in a while or even for the first time. All those NASCAR fans who loved seeing Dale Jr., all his new fans from the Bud commercial, those are the people that will be loving this drivel…
