He's unlikable because he's the embodiment of commercialization and exploitation of supposed "counter-cultural" music. He monetizes his craft, and there's nothing wrong with that, but the shameless pursuit of the bottom line really detracts from the "art" he's trying to make. No matter how honest he may be lyrically, his music is inherently dishonest because he's just doing it to make a buck. He has nothing left to say, he only has money to gain.

Album Rating: 4.0

"He's just subpar. Good businessman, bad rapper."

ur a dumbass

Album Rating: 4.0

Lmaoo, the edge in these comments. Jay isn't a good rapper? I'm sorry what?

Album Rating: 4.0

We all know the only reason this has a 3.1 average is because it was initially Tidal exclusive. If it never was, this would probably be around 3.4.



This is a genuinely good album, and I don't think calling it "lounge rap" and saying it will "never [do] anything impressive" is fair. Not really enjoying someone's rapping voice/style is not enough to discredit some of the album. Danny Brown has been using a very high rap voice for a long time, but a lot of people think he's amazing! Kendrick Lamar's voice can get pretty nasally, but two out of his four studio albums are considered modern classics. Jay-Z, at least on this album, does have a calm approach a lot of the time, but that doesn't mean he's not using it to go anywhere.

Album Rating: 4.0

"Not at all. I love lots of good music and lots of crap music. I just don't get why Jay-Z is regarded as everyone's favourite rapper when he just talks the same shit over and over. If we're talking about guys with a similar contemporary status - Kanye may be crazy but at least his lyrics go to insane places.



His flow isn't great either.



Just my opinion."



Jay talks about the same shit? If anything this is the album that differs from his usual subject matter.

Album Rating: 3.0

I'll say this: Story of O.J. is the first song by him I kinda liked in a few years. Even though his bars are pretty akward at points.



But I like that he's kinda slowing down on the "larger than life" shtick because on Magna Charta Holy Grail it was really, really, really starting to wear thin.

Album Rating: 4.0

So good to hear a good Jay album in 2017

Album Rating: 3.5

rapping on this is kinda whatever but the beats are nice and the short runtime is really satisfying and makes it quite replayable.

Album Rating: 3.0

Family Feud slaps

Album Rating: 4.0

jay top 5 of all time fuck you mean

Album Rating: 3.0

It's not a matter of him being top 5, it's a matter of either half these tracks having beats too soft or the other half Jay sounds extremely bored.

Album Rating: 3.5

I'm really enjoying this, it's almost a 4

One of the most lyrically engaging hip-hop albums I've heard, one of the only ones that I actually paid attention to the lyrics with on the first listen.

4:44 is insanely good, really digging the opener and OJ (which was a grower) a lot too

Albums great yeah

Album Rating: 3.5

Good rating Drift, finally agree with you on a hip-hop album it seems ;P

Haha yeah Jay-Z's specialty is 3.5 albums lol

Album Rating: 4.0

I still thoroughly enjoy this

I really liked this last year, def a bit underrated on sput. Big step up from MCHG

man this album had a BAD marketing scheme though

Album Rating: 3.5

why is the avg so low?

"Haha yeah Jay-Z's specialty is 3.5 albums lol"

Damn didnt realize I was smoking crack back in 2017