Let me first start off by saying that I’m really glad that Jay and Nas squashed their now infamous, legendary beef because it opened the door for what I think all lyrical enthusiasts such as myself was salivating for: collaborations by Jigga man and Esco; two of the greatest lyricists of all time in Hip-Hop. I hope they will collaborate more in the future. Both MCs spit pure fire on this record. Anyone who questions Jay’s lyrical genius need only to listen to his verse on “Black Republican” as proof of why he is one of the best.

Jay-Z is a master at metaphors and double entendres and this rhyme (along with the one I’m going to blog about in the next couple of days or so) demonstrates his genius at using metaphors to make a profound point. Before I continue, let me just say that the falling out between Jay and Beans depresses me; not literally mind you, but the point is, I thought those two had incredible chemistry together. Jay was obviously the anchorman on the Roc but Beans was Jay’s right-hand man and I still believe this today: Beans has the most raw talent of any MC that I’ve ever heard.

I had to put this entire verse of Jay-Z’s freestyle from DJ Clue’s “Professional Pt. 2” album because I think this is one of those deep verses that get’s overlooked, yet really gets into his mindset. On the surface, it’s just another freestyle by Jay but when we dig deeper, this freestyle says more about life if we would only listen. This freestyle was conceived and recorded by Jay-Z I believe during the time when he was going through some legal issues with New York’s finest (the infamous Lance “Un” Rivera stabbing). I won’t go into all of the details (because, frankly, I wasn’t actually there and don’t know exactly what happened), but the point is, Jay was being charged with a crime and faced possible jail time.

In this lyric Jay-Z rhymes about his mindset that enables him to be successful in his pursuits. The average listener of this song probably makes the assumption that this rhyme is strictly about Jay’s experience in the drug game. The average listener is right- technically, but like so many of Jay’s rhymes, this lyric is deeper than what’s on the surface. No matter who you are and where you’re from, I’m sure you know someone (or several people) who are successful. How did they become successful? Ask them. The best way to learn how to be successful is to surround yourself and learn from those who are successful.

The Blueprint 1 is my second favorite Jay-Z album (his debut album, Reasonable Doubt is my favorite). I think The Blueprint is his most soulful album. One of my favorite songs on that album is “Never Change”. In the song, Jay goes into some detail about his experiences hustling within the drug trade and reveals that even though he’s no longer in the drug trade, he’s still a hustler.
I think “Never Change” is an insightful record because it says a lot about success and how it impacts life. Change can be good and is often necessary for growth, maturity and development. But it’s also important to stay grounded, confident, yet humbled by past experiences in your life.

I’m a big fan of Jay-Z and I have enjoyed the bulk of the music in his catalog in his 14-year career but his debut album, “Reasonable Doubt” is still hands-down my personal favorite. I can let that album play all the way through- twice! “Feelin It” is somewhere in my top 5 as far as the songs just on that album alone. In this lyric, Jay is basically talking about support and unity on the streets among his crew as they hustle within the drug trade. With all of the disloyalty on the streets in the name of greed and cowardice, I think this lyric reflects a mindset that is sorely missing in various types of lifestyles.

“Beach Chair” is not one of my favorite Jay-Z songs, yet when I really listened to the track (off of the album, “Kingdom Come) I realized just how profound the song is. Here’s what I think you and I can get from this verse: Our greatest fear in life should be a lack of effort. We can’t succeed if we’re not trying- hard enough. There’s a reason why you’re here. You have a voice. Your life has a purpose that will only be fulfilled with hard work, determination and deep resolve.

“I had to lace up my boots even harder
Father is too far away to father

Further-more all the kids either smoke reefer
 or either move white
There’s few writers in my cipher

So they made light of
My type of 
dreams seem dumb, they said wise up
How many guys-a, you see makin it from here
The world don’t like us, is that not clear? Alright but..

I’m different
I can’t base what I’m gon’ be
offa what everybody isn’t
They don’t listen

Just whisperin behind my back
No vision
Lack of ambition
So whack!”