Jay Z :
The Black Album

Release Date: 14 November 2003

Reviewed By: Usman Sajjad

1. Interlude

2. December 4th

3. What More Can I Say

4. Encore

5. Change Clothes

6. Dirt Off You Shoulder

7. Threat

8. A Moment Of Clarity

9. 99 Problems

10. Interlude

11. Justify My Thug

12. Lucifer

13. Allure

14. My 1st Song

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Although one could never really say he had gone anywhere, since the release of his 2002 album, 'Blueprint 2', Jay Z is back, to give his last and most humble album of them all, 'The Black Album'. Equipped with 14 well produced tracks of lyrical excellence, Jay Z has once again impressed his Rocafella fans, after 7 years of consistency, through 7 albums, in which have all gone gold, platinum and double platinum.

Despite 'Blue Print.2', featuring a host of artists including, Faith Evans; Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, Rakim, Truth Hurts, Beyonce, Sean Paul and more, his latest offering, features no guest appearances at all. Whether this was a result of feedback from critics of his last album, or a conscious decision to simply allow him to shine, it was a good one. Jay holds this album well.

Whilst deciding to go this one alone, Jay has more sense to ditch quality produces, so has naturally hired the crème de la crème. Gangstarr's, Guru, produces track 3, entitled ‘What more can I say’, an excellent track where Jay says farewell to all his loyal fans and explains why he plans to bow down. Another 'goodbye' track, ‘Encore’ is produced by talented producer Kanye West - who has received credit on Alicia Keys track ‘You Don’t know My Name’; Ludacris’ ‘Stand Up’, and numerous classic Jay Z records including ‘H To The Izzo’.

Having started producing tracks himself, Shady Records executive, Eminem also lays down a beat, on the track, ‘Moment of Clarity’, in which for Jay, somberly raps about his father and past experience. ‘Pop died/ didn’t cry/ didn’t know him that well/ between him doing heroin and me doing crack sales...’

Jigga also works with Timbaland who displays his authentic style on track 6,’Dirt of your shoulder’. DJ Quik also brings his mixing and dj ability to Jay Z’s cover of Madonna’s record’ Justify my Love’, instead being ‘Justify my Thug’. And what would a Jay Z album be without Pharrel? That’s right, Pharrel not only appears on, 'Change Clothes', Jay Z's first release from this album, but on a more down beat track called, 'Allure' in which he sings the chorus.

The final track, 14, ‘My First song’, is produced by Aqua. This is yet another decent joint. Personally, I admire the effort put into this album and will not be surprised in the future, if this album is considered a classic. Many have claimed Jay has not been the same since his early Reasonable Doubt Days, but my opinion stays strong, that, 'Jigga Man', just kept growing, getting better and better over time. I have to give this album 4 out of 5, as Jay Z has certainly not failed to deliver.

Best Three Tracks

1. Encore
2. Dirt of your shoulder
3. Allure

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