![]() ![]() What cannot be overlooked is the mere fact that Jay-Z’s music has the ability to transcend the boundaries of commercial rap - and his exuberant willingness to go with this MTV Unplugged release.Īs the entire rap genre trapped itself inside a whirlwind of money tossing and ho-pimping, Nas’ lyrical genius was partially poisoned by the on-going trend. Blige and finally to Jay-Z.Īlthough the album is his, he merely reraps his patented delivery in a package featuring the most amazing hip-hop band and guests such as the previously mentioned female vocalists. The album’s overall success is first a testament to The Roots improvisation, then to the guest artists such as Jaguar Wright and Mary J. Blige too early, joking, ‘I just had to test y’all.’ ![]() ![]() He then begins the verse to the vintage flow ‘Can’t Knock the Hustle’ featuring Mary J. When a couple of girls chime in too early on the chorus of ‘Hard Knock Life,’ he draws a laugh from even himself when pointing out, ‘Naw, naw, naw, no you don’t sing yet.’ He lets the crowd know that rap isn’t a spectator sport when in between songs he says, ‘We operatin’ at six now, we gotta get all the way to 10,’ then dividing and instructing them, ‘Okay, now don’t mess this up, aiight? We just gonna find out who’s louder.’ The alternating sides liven the crowd when they roar their lines in the chorus of, ‘Jigga What, Jigga Who.’ The rapping may be his everyday norm, but Jay-Z’s charisma allows for the element of entertainment. His word choice is seldom altered, and when it is, the reason is usually to excuse the frequency of bad language. Meanwhile, Jay-Z’s own emphasis on the album seems to be pure entertainment. The blues feel on ‘Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)’ accompanies an amazingly soulful breakdown finale by female vocalist Jaguar Wright, putting the track in a category of its own. While The Roots continuously modify Jay-Z’s music into symphonic masterpieces, the variety in vocals is the responsibility of other guests. While Jay-Z’s sample of the The Doors in “Takeover” is apparently rock influenced, it’s something not obvious on the version on his album “Blueprint.” The highly rotated ‘Big Pimpin” is intensified into an ultra-exotic tribal flow. The Roots’ ability to transform Jay-Z’s electronically based rap compositions into a virtual hip-hop symphony is what truly makes each track uniquely vibrant. Art, who goes there?’ The violins soon disseminate into a chorus of instruments that explode into ‘Izzo (H.O.V.A.)’ Along with a supporting cast of flute and violin players, The Roots supplied the instrumental aspect for Jay-Z’s unplugged show.Īs background violins waver in the opening seconds, Jay-Z gets a giggle from his introduction, ‘This is Jay-Z’s poetry reading. The seven-person band blends elements such as live guitars, keyboards and drums to produce a sensation unequivocal to any other hip-hop act, but mirrored by such talents as Jurassic-5. The Philadelphia based crew is one of the most original and innovative groups in any musical category. The reliance of rap on electronics and synthesizers doesn’t immediately lend itself to the format of an unplugged concert. The well-regarded productions for the program have featured such legendary performances as Nirvana and Eric Clapton. After five solo albums and a Roc-A-Fella compilation in a six year span, Jay-Z reaches out in yet another direction - MTV Unplugged. ![]() As the beef between two of rap’s biggest stars continues to boil, Jay-Z attempts to cook up some extra treats with a simmering side project. ![]()
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