So, I'll admit - I was pretty skeptical about this. Jay keeps saying he's done then he comes back with mediocre records. Kingdom Come and The American Gangster Soundtrack did not live up to his standards. This was sure to be another let down right? WRONG! Start to finish, this goes right up there with the Black Album and Vol. 2. It might not be as great as those, but it's solid start to finish. I immediately had to listen to it again after the first go round just to make sure it was as solid as I thought. It is. Check it out, even if you're not a hip hop fan. You'll like it. My only downside was no Lil Wayne on the record, after Mr. Carter from Tha Carter III, I expected big things. You have to love anytime Pharrell and Jay get together, and Kanye and Jay-Z are always a solid combo.
TRACK LISTING:
1. What We Talkin' About - (featuring Like Steele)
2. Thank You - (featuring Jeff Bhasker)
3. D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)
4. Run This Town - (featuring Kanye West/Rihanna)
5. Empire State of Mind - (featuring Alicia Keys)
6. Real as It Gets - (featuring Young Jeezy)
7. On to the Next One - (featuring Swizz Beatz)
8. Off That - (featuring Drake)
9. Star Is Born, A - (featuring J. Cole/Jeff Bhasker)
10. Venus vs. Mars
11. Already Home - (featuring Kid Cudi/Jeff Bhasker)
12. Hate - (featuring Kanye West/Jeff Bhasker)
13. Reminder - (featuring K. Briscoe)
14. So Ambitious - (featuring Pharrell Williams)
15. Young Forever - (featuring Mr. Hudson/Jeff Bhasker)
Listen To Sample Tracks
Top 3 Tracks:
1. DOA - Death of Auto Tune
2. Young Forever
3. On To The Next One
Final Rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Okay, so Empire State of Mind doesn't even make the top three? Either the rest of this album is awesome or you're straight up crazy!
ReplyDeleteDid you know that he legally added hyphen Knowles to his name? A little odd, considering he is the new Sinatra.
Empire was a good song...but the ones listed are better. DOA just screams of the times where all these rappers are going to autotune when they were better and successful without it. Young Forever is an old Alphaville song that I really liked before this. Combine that with smooth flow over the top of it and it was almost my number one. On to the Next One and Empire I suppose are close in my ratings, but it wins out every so slightly. And hey, I'm not from NYC, so why should I care, right?
ReplyDeleteI OBJECT!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your top 3 songs! This album is probably in my top 3 rap albums of all times. I usually critique albums by how long I can play them through without skipping songs, and the only song I skip on this one is Venus v. Mars. I give this 4.75 out of 5 stars.
ReplyDelete-Angie
You bring up an interesting debate. Top 3 all time...hmm. Which rap albums are in that top 3? I can only toss out a few off the top of my head:
ReplyDeleteNelly - Country Grammar
Jay-Z - Vol 2
DMX - Dark and Hell Is Hot
2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Beastie Boys - Ill Communication
Ludacris - Word of Mouf
What else do you have? I think I might like Vol 2 just ever so slightly more than BP3. It's close though.
I agree also that Venus vs Mars is the weakest track. Pretty much a snoozefest.
Total snoozefest, agreed.
ReplyDelete1. The Eminem Show
2. The Chronic
3. Blueprint 3
4. The Slim Shady LP
5. The Marshall Mathers LP
Notice a pattern? haha!
I do have different top rap songs of all times. I am simply rating these as albums I can listen the whole way through and love most songs on. I have a much more eclectic mix of random songs I like.
Wow...west coast much? I think I liked Marshall Mathers LP the best from Em. I'd still stick with Sean Carter Vol 2 of BP3. The Chronic is just flat out awesome. Not sure how I forgot about that. Is there a better rap song than Nothin But A G Thang?
ReplyDeleteI'm going to create a Top 50 Rap Songs of all time list soon. It'll be great to hear your thoughts!