That Mach interview confirmed everything I needed to know.

But def disagree about the NOI point.

Classic album

everything from the flows jay-z adopts to the sonic aesthetic is reminiscent of mach's work. there's also been tension between elec and mach with the comparisons they get online + the perceived subluminals exchanged on stellar ray theory.

as for anyone throwing hands up about NOI critique at this point, idc. as an organization, they have a maladaptive enough history in the Black community - let alone the deep irony of a rothschild munch and venture capitalist billionaire peddling those kina regressive politics in my ear

Which interview?

Maybe with hov flows, but strong disagree on the sonic aesthetic of the album. Most of Jay's work sounds like that from the Dusty samples, random sound bites and rough mixing. Even to the point he previewed a few of the beats years before they dropped.

It's fine to critique the NOI. But as far as AWT, there's legit only like 10 lines throughout that album that's NOI related and not just regular Islamic references

flux capacitor

The one with Rosenberg. He talked about that infamous pic.

which is the exact reason why those two artists started drawing comparisons. difference is one was silent for a decade while the other built a prolific catalogue, struck while the iron was hot and gained enough traction in the underground with his sound to catch jay z's attention.

also it's Nation of Islam for a reason and that cult of personality has been the entire framework for jay elec's politics since his inception as an artist. it's an achilles heel that wouldn't be so egregious if he simply divested toward traditional muslim faith. worse then that how both them artists move in their personal lives is very much at odds with the tenets and conscious rap they're proselytizing. ultimately, a decent album that sounds good - not a great one.

I mean sure, but it's not like he was biting mach's sound on awt, that's just been his sound.

Yes the NOI makes a huge part of his character, but my point was the bad politics and beliefs that's associated with them don't really showed up in the album to use as a criticism of the album

same

Great

This album is not better than Ramona Park or Vince Staples self titled and is nowhere near album of the decade. Jay Elecs writing went downhill years before the album dropped. It’s cool, but nothing mind blowing. Crazy that Jay Electronica finally put an album out and it had zero bars lol

I like Jay with the personal/emotionally vivid bars
I dont like Jay when he Farrahkhan’s side hoe

Good album.
APIDTA one of the best of the decade.

Hov carried

Why did you bring up vince staples? Am i missing something

The Rihanna sample chop on Flux Capacitor is disgusting!!!!

The bells on Shiny Suit Theory are absolutely unbearable in the car man

a really good album. setting aside all the context surrounding it... it really is just some great rapping over some really good and interesting production. also apidta is one of the best songs pretty much ever but specifically of the 2020s so far.

Just re-listened, Hov definitely carried

APIDTA is the stand out

It's fire and people who say Jay Z outrapped Jay Elec are dumb