In Depth Review: Jay Z The Black Album

Opening Opinion: 9.9/10

While not his best album, The Black Album is probably my favorite album from Jigga. It was supposed to be his last album. I’m glad its not, but it was good enough to be.

“What More Can I Say” produced by the Buchananas, is like his “Hey I’ve got to be the best rapper ever song”….that’s the vibe I got from it. Its really triumphant sounding. The first 2 tracks; “Interlude” and “Decemeber 4^th” are produced by Just Blaze. The latter features Jay’s mom, Gloria. She does a good job of adding to the picture Jay Z paints. The song is basically just about him growing up. The first track is nice too.

“Encore” is incredible. It might as well be like the trailer or preview track for the entire album. It’s produced by Kanye West. I really like when the crowd chants. It feels like a concert. Jay wants to be appreciated here. “Change Clothes” was the first single I believe. It is so glossy so bright sounding…and man is it infectious! The Neptunes really hit the ball out the park on it. “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” is a Timbaland produced track. TBH it might be Timbo’s defining work. The beat is perfect and Jay Z kills it.

Produced by 9^th Wonder is “Threat”, a track that almost sounds out of place, but is still good. I like the dude on the chorus too. I like the addition of the R.Kelly vocals too. Eminem produces “Moment of Clarity”. It’s a good song sure, but kinda drags on a little too long. That beat tho.

“99 Problems” is produced by the legendary Rick Rubin. I love this song, and its arguably the best song here. Jay Z sounds really agitated here too. “I got 99 Problems but a bitch aint one…hit me!”. The beat sounds very throwbackish too. “Public Service Announcement” Is a dope interlude and is also one of the best songs. I love the beat by Just Blaze.

The next track is decent, “Justify My Thug” is a DJ Quick produced track. “Now if you shoot my dog, imma kill yo cat, just the unrwritten laws in rap, know that” raps Jay Z. The beat is really good. In fact before I didn’t even know who produced this song. Kanye West returns for “Lucifer” a great track. I love the sample here. I think Jigga is rappin in illuminati mode here lol.

“Allure” is Neptune produced and Pharrell Williams assisted again. Its dope and sultry. “Man its just a game I just play it to play it”. The song is kinda long but great. “My 1^st Song” is ironic, cause I think it was meant to be his last song. Biggie speaks on the beginning of the track. The song has a sunset, my career is over, type of feel lol. I love it. He shouts out people at the end of it.

In conclusion I don’t feel the album is a 10/10 but its aged really well due to stellar production and great great bars from Jay Z.

Album Review: Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign-Vultures 1

This album review is way overdue. I've had a long time to sit with the album....I really liked it at first but it hasn't really aged as well as other Kanye projects. Kanye's lyricism has taken a noticeable decline. I mean hes not horrible but alot of these bars are bad or tasteless. Ty Dolla $ign on the other hand does a great job on pretty much every track. The production though, as with most Kanye albums is really good. Some of it was reminiscent of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy or Yeezus. There are a few guest spots and most are well used. Hearing Kanye's daughter, North West, on "Talking"is cute. Freddie Gibbs steals the show on the hilarious "Back to Me". "Carnival" is a certified hit which features Playboi Carti & Rich the Kid. Overall most of these songs are good but I cant say this really adds much to Kanye's illustrious discography. Lyrics 19 Beats 23 Depth 22 Tilt 21 Verdict 85

Album Review: Kid Cudi-Insano (regular version)

I gotta admit I didn't like this album that much when I first heard it over half a year ago. I've heard that Kid Cudi doesn't exactly play to his strengths....that's partly true. I do like his rapping here tho. Honestly most songs here kinda blend together....."Keep Bouncin'" is really hype....and it gets the album off to a good start. "At The Party" with Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott may be my favorite song. "Wow" with A$AP Rocky is another highlight. Overall tho I feel this album tries too hard to be trendy. Cudi needed to put more of his pain into it. I mean a happy Cudi album isn't a bad thing but it really seems odd to me. You're not getting alot of singing or hums here know what I mean? However the production I found to be very good. Cudi is one of my favorite rappers like top 20 and I guess this will do for 2024. Lyrics 20 Beats 23 Depth 21 Tilt 21 Verdict 85

Video Game Review: Jedi Survivor

About a week ago or so I beat Star Wars Jedi Survivor. Im so happy I got a chance to play it cause they put it on PS4....yes I sadly as of early 2025 do not have a PS5 yet. But anyways I thought the game was considerable improvement over Jedi Fallen Order in most ways. The game is set a few years after the end of the first game. One thing I like is you keep all your Jedi techniques from the first game Jedi Fallen Order. You can force push and pull and double jump right from the jump. Early in the game you also get access to a new lighstaber form dual wield. In this game there are 5 lightsaber forms. Single is good in any situation but not the best for ideal situations. I think double bladed has good defense but low range. Dual wield is fast but has low defense. Later on you get access to a blaster form which has great range. Then there's the Cross-guard which is Kylo Ren's lightsaber form...its slow in this game but has high damage and defense to it. The enemy variety in the...

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