Jay Z, Kingdom Come – So, this is my first Jay Z album. No, I’m not an alien from another planet. I just never got around to owning his work he has been a mainstay on Top 40 radio for the last decade. If I didn’t hear it in the car driving I could always find it out at a club for prime booty shaking. Now you see the large gaps in my musical knowledge showing. Just wait until I get into my Beatles rant…
Kingdom Come was critically panned by most everyone. Furthermore, it was one of Jay Z’s lowest selling releases of the recent past. So, of all the Jay Z albums I could own, let alone review, why this one? Because I actually like it. Yes, I am the raging minority that enjoys Jay Z as a grown up. True, his lyrics aren’t as biting as even his radio releases (did I just hear him mention Gwyneth Paltrow and St. Tropez for the third time). True, you won’t be astounded by the amazing production value of his usual roster of hitmakers. No Timbaland in sight – how did that happen? But what you do gain is a a peek into the life of a grown up rapper. There aren’t many of them. Or at least the older ones don’t reference their age ever (Snoop, you still trying to tell me you a thug at 100 lbs soaking wet? Go back to MTV and get your Shownizzle recontractizzled.). Thus, this is my first chance at looking at what a 30 year old CEO has on his mind after being a raw, yet talented hustler. Not surprisingly, he focuses much of his effort on reinforcing his age to flaunt the fact that he isn’t young anymore, but youth may not be what is desirable. When you have a song entitled “30 something” you are really trying to sell this “grown up” vibe. For me, it works. I don’t need another record highlighting how much money you have, how nice your car is, or how hood you can be – admitting that you are older and don’t have the urge to buy rims anymore is actually inspiring. Go ahead and write a(nother) song to your mother on how you are successful and can finally afford to buy her anything she wants. You know what, I actually would like to go to St. Tropez, so tell me a little more about it. He still has some venom to attack younger rappers and refute his self imposed retirement. He’s just not overly concerned with maintaining the tried braggadocio of most contemporary hip hop. For me, it works. I enjoy listening to an album that actually deals with internal conflict vs. reinforcing the external conflict of most rap themes (money, women, drugs, bling, etc.). I wish he did have some more bite in his lyrics and a few of the beats are a bit too laid back. Nevertheless, I’m more inclined to listen to future Jay Z records from this release. I know that puts me in a rather small minority, but I guess I’ve been dealing with that for a long time 🙂