I tried multiple times to listen to it and it sounds so damn dated.

4:44 really is his best album

No

if its your first jay album sure

It's a product of the time it was created but there are classic songs on here with some deep content.

Its gonna be slightly overrated because of who Jay-Z became as an artist but that doesnt mean it isnt a great album.

It sets a cinematic vibe and really takes you into the world he was trying to create.

Sorry there aren't any Travis Scott features.

Stfu

its worthy of a footnote in the discussion but that’s about it

Great response

RD does not sound dated lol, depending on your definition

Was going then I was like at that last statement

no-id's beats for that album are amazing tho

I think Hov doesn't come through as much as no-id does. The beats he gives him are pretty perfect for Jay. Hov just only reaches his This Can't Be Life and Song Cry level a few times cos he's older now

If it's top 5 it's 5 imo.

I'd have it as 6 tho on quality. 5th if you factor in impact too like you are.

It's a good album tho. Marcy Me, 4:44, adnis etc. are all amazing

it's one of
my favorite
albums

and i would have
argued for it being
his best album in 2017

but early jay is just too good

96-97 hov's swag was otherworldly

vol. 1 is crazy

YOUNG

RD isn’t better than no damn illmatic.

I agree with OP

This album is gonna have an impact. It’s already the standard we hold old rappers up to “I wish Eminem would drop his 4:44” etc

Personally have lost the love for the choppy multi syllable flows from back in the day

90’s hip hop in general sounds extremely dated to me now

You had everybody using the same flows, same sampled drums.....

U can’t deny dusty is exactly what it sounds like, perfect descriptive word

Early 2000’s just the same tho except everyone tried to do the “R&b singer on the hook” thing

Plus lil Jon changed hip hop culture with crunk music around that time and people started producing more original material instead of sampling all the time

RD might be one of my favorites of it didnt have aint no nigga on it

Excellent Album.

Beats are bombastic.

Jay's flow fire.

Lol goddamn I’m rambling

4:44 is perfect it’s his Illmatic to me

A concise project that had allot of emotion and expertise put into it

Wordplay crazy

Only huge difference is Illmatic was various production and 4:44 was straight No ID

If we're gonna call it the Gold standard for good albums made by rappers who should be passed their prime, maybe. If that's how you wanna sneak it into the classic discussion.

But in the context of Jay-Z's own discography, I dont think it holds the same weight as The Blueprint or even a Vol 1 if we're strictly talking impact and influence

Blueprint > Black Album > Reasonable Doubt > 444 > American Gangster

So much American Gangsyer disrespect itt