"L’chaim," Jay-Z pronounced, holding up a shot of Patron rum, joined by the dozen or so journalists he’d invited to his Roc the Mic Studios in NYC on Friday evening. The Hebrew toast struck me as oddly apt: Simchas Torah, the Jewish holiday celebrating the first day of reading the holy scriptures, had ended just hours earlier, and here I was sitting with Jay-Hova, the self-proclaimed God Emcee, moments after he’d blessed us with his latest divine words.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The sacred writ he shared with us before those Patron shots was American Gangster, the concept album he’s planning to release Nov. 6. The unmastered tracks he played for us were missing verses here and there, and he’s still mulling over the album’s exact sequencing. Even in that incomplete state, though, American Gangster already sounded like a Jay-Z fan’s dream come true. Make no mistake — despite the emotional reference points provided by the album’s namesake film, which played overhead on a flat-screen TV throughout the listening session, this music is all about Jay and the things that make him a great artist. The beats are dominated by warm, powerful soul samples, even more so than on Jay’s 2001 classic The Blueprint; the lyrics outlining a street hustler’s mentality are by turns as clever, as incisive, as gritty, as moving as any in his catalogue. (The album is in part a reaction to the lyrical vapidity of hits like Mims’ "This Is Why I’m Hot," he said: "When the guy says ‘I could make a mil’ saying nothing on the track,’ you know you’ve reached a bad place.") After the jump, check out a track-by-track preview of the highlights so far.
- "Pray": American Gangster’s first cut, one ofseveral produced by none other than Sean "Diddy" Combs — whom Jay stillcalls "Puffy," harkening back to days long past when both were membersof the late Notorious B.I.G.’s circle. "[The album] starts with a kidlooking into the game," Jay explained. The beat slams ominously behindhis scene-setting rhymes: "Mindstate of a gangster from the ’40s/Meetsthe business mind of Motown’s Berry Gordy."
- "No Hook": Another wide-screen Puff production, full of darkorgan vibes, and more rhymes from an aspiring kingpin’s perspective:"F—rich, let’s get wealthy/Who else gon’ feed we?" The mood issneering, hungry, with Jay almost seeming to slip into his long-abandoned double-time flow at times.
- "Roc Boys": "That’s him at his height," Jay said of hispersona in this song. "It’s a celebration of the whole s—." Exultanthorns burst out on the beat (Puffy again) as the rapper revels in alifestyle funded by ill-gotten riches: "First of all, I wanna thank myconnect/The most important person, with all due respect/…Thinkrosé/Think O.J./I get away with murder when I sling yey’." (The songalso includes a reference to "black bar mitzvahs." Maybe that "L’chaim"was even more significant than I realized.)
- "I Know": Hard-hitting percussion and sparkling synthsunderly this conceptual track about desire’s many faces: "I know whatyou like/I’m your prescription/I’m your physician/I’m your addiction.""I’m using a lot of heroin references," Jay noted as he tried to unpackthe song’s multi-layered metaphors. "[But] on another level, it plays asa song about relationships. And on a drunk-too-much-wine-one-nightlevel, it plays as the game talking to me. It’s f—ing weird — but themusic is great." He’s not lying.
- "Ignorant S—": Web-savvy fans may recall a purposefully outrageous outtake from 2003’s The Black Album bearing this name. "It’s one of those gems you can’t let go," Jay said now. So he dusted it off for Gangster,complete with the unforgettably explicit hook in which he boasts, "Igot that ignorant s— you like/N—-, f—, s—-, a–, b—-, trick,plus ice!" Just call him rap’s George Carlin. The song now alsofeatures a decidedly non-ignorant new verse in which Jay thoughtfullyeviscerates Don Imus and all those who’ve equated the disgraced shockjock with foul-mouthed rappers — plus some tight guest bars from Jay’slongtime protege Beanie Sigel.
- "Success": The endorphin rush provided by new money startsto wear off on this cut, produced by Chicago veteran (and Kanye Westmentor) No I.D. "I used to give a f—, now I give a f— less," Jayreflects over a rapidly descending organ riff. "Truth be told, I hadmore fun when I was piss-poor." Jay’s former rival Nas talked him intoletting him spit on this track; Nas’ verse hasn’t been mixed in yet,but Jay promises that "It’s hot. He killed it."
- "Say Hello to the Bad Guy": Atlanta’s DJ Toomp (T.I.’s "WhatYou Know," Kanye West’s "Big Brother") contributed this beat, whichkeeps that darkening mood going with church-like organs.
- "When the Money’s Gone": The title says it all about thisone. Jay raps about the inevitable downfall which befalls even the mostsuccessful hustlers; Jermaine Dupri produced the backdrop of shufflingdrums and cascading synths.
- "Fallen": Another J.D. production, and likely the album’sfinal track. Jay reflects on the perverse pleasure the public takes inseeing a star destroyed: "Fallen/They applaudin’." Neosoul croonerBilal sings the elegiac hook. It’s a cathartic ending to an emotionallygripping album.
Conspicuously missing from the evening’s playlist was "Blue Magic,"the album’s fantastic teaser single; Jay still isn’t sure yet where itwould fit in, and he’s even considering making it an unlisted bonustrack.
Jay stuck around for a couple more hours of free-wheeling discussionwith the Yankees’ playoff game in the background, supplemented by theaforementioned libations. As the night went on, he decided to treat usto one more new song — a number that’s been giving him some trouble,called "This S— Right Here." The problem? He’s worried that theMarvin Gaye-sampling beat is too laidback for the energetic rhymes he’scurrently laid down over it. Legitimately interested in getting somefeedback, Jay insisted on hearing each and every attendee’s opinion onwhether he should trade the supremely mellow beat in for somethingharder-hitting. (For the record, it sounds great as-is, and it’ll be ashame if the final album doesn’t include that transcendent Marvinsample.)
It was 10 p.m. by the time I took my leave; the studio gathering wasstill going strong, but I had more than enough food for thought to goon. One remark in particular stuck in my head as I left. "The albumplays like a cautionary tale, but it’s not reallytrue [for me]," Jay confided with a smile at one point. "I really madeit [out of the streets]. Al Caponedidn’t make it. Michael Corleone, Scarface — I’m iller than all themn—-s." Strong words, but the guy sure knows how to back his boasts up.
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sounds great, can’t wait for the album
Interesting enough, the pre-orders for AMERICAN GANGSTER on itunes, reveals that 50 Cent’s “I GET MONEY” 1,2,3 Forbes Remix with both Jay & Diddy will be on Jay’s album as well…And with Diddy producing 3 cuts as well, I guess, as they are all claiming, I GET MONEY….This album should see the sales KINGDOM COME didn’t.
Wow…after reading this article you just raised my lever of interest to the next level.
Just for reference, Patron is a type of tequilla, not rum.
I have a strong feeling this album will be more of a “come out of retirement album and let them know that you’re still king of the game” album than Kingdom Come was
Maybe the fact that Patron is tequila, not rum, explains your Kabbalistic revelations about Jay-Hova’s godliness.
L’Chaim, my ass! What would be the proper expression for this? Ah, I know, it’s fronting!
Jay-Z, be proud of your faith and your people but don’t pretend to be Jewish.
retire already!! let others eat.
YOUNG h.o Raps G.O.A.T
I think he’s a talented rapper, but I hate how he’s in EVERYTHING. Like how many remixes does he need to make where it’s basically just him taking a perfectly great song and rapping in the middle of it for no reason whatsoever? Like “Rehab?” And pretty much every Beyonce song that’s popular now. I mean COME. ON. And isn’t he in that new “I Get Money” remix? Ex-actly.
I hope this album is better than the last one.
Sounds crazy so far…hiphopupdate.blogspot.com for the latest audio and hip hop
i’m a always cop the album like i do other jay albums believe me you wont get dissapointed no matter what!!
American Gangster Listening Session w/Jay-Z, Next Single: Roc Boys
Jay-Z – American Gangster Eskay describes an American Gangster listening session with Jay-Z providing a track by track breakdown of everything I was about to hear. Sounds like a trip to say the least. Some highlights:The album plays out like a film. Ev…
Bob, you might want to pull your head out of your ass.Just because he uses an hebrew saying or phrase doesn’t mean he’s pretending to be jewish.You are as ridiculous as those people who say things like “you actin black” if you like Hip Hop and “Stop actin white” if you believe in getting an education.
“Jay-Z, be proud of your faith and your people but don’t pretend to be Jewish”.
How do you know what his faith is?
I hope you’re not African-American, I’m sick of your type bringing us down.
Bob, you might want to pull your head out of your ass.Just because he uses an hebrew saying or phrase doesn’t mean he’s pretending to be jewish.You are as ridiculous as those people who say things like “you actin black” if you like Hip Hop and “Stop actin white” if you believe in getting an education.
“Jay-Z, be proud of your faith and your people but don’t pretend to be Jewish”.
How do you know what his faith is?
I hope you’re not African-American, I’m sick of your type bringing us down.
I can’t wait to hear the complete album. I just hope it lives up to it’s full potential. But then again it HOV!
ROC A FELLA
JAY HOVA
6 NOVEMBER
RETURN OF THE KING
Was anyone else mildly amused to find out Simon was white after seeing him in the picture with New York last week? Don’t get me wrong, I’m white and I enjoy the occasional Kanye song, but I had always just assumed he was black. I guess I was incorrect (you know what they say about assumptions), and that’s not really a bad thing.
I think he’s a talented rapper
♥♥♥ http://www.spymac.com/details/?2275538 ♥♥♥
For the cat that mentioned the “rehab” remix, that remix was fire. Did you actually listen to the verse? Amy Winehouse is not hip hop,but Jay did the song justice. “Six pair of kicks is my definition of 12 steps”. You must be a young dude. Pull your pants up young’n!
Well, it looks like Jay’s gonna do it again. Sounds to me like it’s another one of those hit records he has. Good luck in all that he does.
Was dissapointed when I heard blue magic and i’m happy jay is taking it off. Cos it sucks! Period. I tried to like it. but nah, it was wack. Looking forward to the album. I enjoyed kingdom come, minus one or two songs. @ The last laugh, i was in total agreement with u untill u brought up the african american talk, that was pure ignorance.
Patron makes rum called Pyrat.
Get your “I Love Imus” shirts at
http://www.cafepress.com/SaveImus .
Show your support for the I-Man!!!!
download Jay-Z’s “roc boys” at hiphopupdate.blogspot.com
Yo where the hell is Kanye in this ? As if he didnt make an appereance as producer… Thats weird !
Man blue Magic is fire…..print off the lyrics……Jigga Fire….he’s the best their ever was
I can make a mill without even saying anything in the blog. Damn, I’m Hot!
I can make a mill without saying anything in the blog. Damn, I’m Hot!
I look forward to hearing Jay spit his diverse style again, we need that difference in music to keep it fresh. I Have “Blue Magic” on a D.J. Clue? mixtape, an 80’s classic beat with Hov redrumming the track (that’s murder backwards for the slow). Show them how to do it, Hov!!!