Thread bonus:

Buddah Lovaz, by the Bone Thugz-N-Harmony

Hollering😂

This a hard thread tho @op, I enjoyed checking in on the updates

I appreciate that man 🙏🏾

I've really appreciated the response from everybody so far. This is cool for me to experience, too.

I keep coming back to Reasonable Doubt, but Bring It On has really skyrocketed up to one of my favorite Jay songs. I think it rivals Reservoir Dogs as a posse track.

Jay's early work has some straight spittaz on some of these tracks, which is especially evident on Vol. 2. The guests features and rhymes sometimes are just so classic and rare, even if it's not performed by a particularly big name. Jay had to be really particular about his posse and guest cuts, and you can tell those featured guests were really battling for the best performance (classic New York style), and Jay was in turn wanting to outperform them

I’m listening to The Blueprint this week.

Praise! We’re in a new era of Hov entirely. I’m really looking forward to this change of pace. I’ve come to love Reasonable Doubt and some of his early work as some of my favorite musical works. I had many favorites off of Reasonable Doubt, and towards the end of Part 1, I rediscovered Bring It On, a song somehow didn’t initial download. Man. That might be my favorite Jay track now. It’s a song that summarizes all my feelings over the course of these five albums we’ve reviewed. Such a captivating spirit Jay is, man.

I’m planning on doing the Re-Rank before The Blueprint drops, and that’ll be my final farewell for this era. I keep getting pulled back to this music over and over. I’m always ending up wanting to hear more Reasonable Doubt, or running back Vol. 1. Plus this era holds a lot of meaning for me, so I’m looking to packaging this up and exploring a new type of Jay.

New sound, new spirit. Moving on.

I’m most curious about The Blueprint 2, and I wonder how The Black Album will compare to Vol. 1 and Reasonable Doubt. Also, Kingdom Come is one of my favorite Jay albums, being the first one of his I ever copped, so I want to see how I hear these songs now that I’ve witnessed more of his timeline.

Part 2 will consist of the following reviews:

• The Blueprint (2001)
• The Best of Both Worlds w/ R. Kelly (2002)
• The Blueprint 2 (2002)
• The Black Album (2003)
• Unfinished Business w/ R. Kelly (2004)
• Kingdom Come (2006)

Song Spotlight: Feelin' It (1996)

See ladies and gentlemen, I'm here tonight to do something very special. For me, for us. I'm here to honor one of the greatest that's ever done it. I'm also here because, before anything else, I was a true fan of your music, Jay, and still am. Still am. And I would walk down the street with my headphones on, and my Timbs and my baggy jeans, and yours was my soundtrack. And so what I'd like to do tonight, is I'd like to have some fun, you know? I'd like to play some of my favorite joints and I've a feeling they're going to be some of your favorite joints too. So... if you're feelin' it while I'm playing it, I want y'all to definitely let it go and just vibe with me."

• Alicia Keys

This was my favorite Jay-Z song for a long time.

It's funny that I've never heard this song before this review.

I love the piano. I love the dark tone and the smooth feel. The smoothness. Tones of the dark knight, tones of Italy, tones of gangster, sadness, love, and swagger.

This is the type of beat that makes you look out into the sky at night. The same impact as something like, off of Star Wars, the Sopranos, or Final Fantasy.

Wikipedia lists "Feelin' It" as Reasonable Doubt's fifth single... when I came into this album I expected Can't Knock the Hustle to be my favorite track, if not Dead Presidents. For a time I latched onto Can I Live and Coming of Age as my favorite tracks from the debut album, but that Feelin' It is just too smooth.

It's a sound that summarizes the cover art, even the sound of the album itself. It's raw and real, and it's a sound Jay doesn't attempt to recreate often.

There are only a few live performances of Feelin' It, as good as this song is. A quick YouTube searched landed me a 1997 performance, but one might have to do a deep search to find anything from a more recent time than that.

When I was feeling sad, I could play this song. When I felt strong, I could play this song. When I felt chill, I could play this song. When I needed that burst, I could play this song.

There are a few tracks on Reasonable Doubt that are multi-faceted in that way.

You can tell a lot about an artist from their first work. Cus there's no formula--at least not as much once the artist is already one their way. This is the purity of it all, in a way.

(singing) I'm feelin' it.

I'm so confused, okay I'm getting weeded now/
I know I contradicted myself, look, I don't need that now/
It's just once in a blue when there's nothing to do/
And the tension gets too thick for my sober mind to cut through/
I get to zoning: me and the chick on the island and then we're boning/
I free my mind sometimes I hear myself moaning/
Take one more toke and I leave that weed alone, man/
It got me going, s***!

This definitely feels like a deep cut, unfortunately, because overall this is one of Jay's best tracks! It really showcases the magic Jay had as a young rapper. Reasonable Doubt is a very rare album in scope and execution.

Similar Songs:

• Dead Presidents II (1996)
• Heart of the City (2001)
• Allure (2003)

Song Spotlight: Coming of Age (Da Sequel) (1998)

Time to come up, hold my own weight, defend my crown
Gots to lock it down and when they rush -- part two...!

I've mentioned before that Coming Of Age (Da Sequel) is one of my favorite Jay-Z songs. The beat, produced by Swizz Beatz, is crazy; the way in comes in like a machine gun reminds me of Twisted Metal 2 the video game. Up to this point, there aren't many songs in Jay's discography that are similar to this one.

Go back to the premise of this work, and it should be no surprise that my favorite Jay-Z tracks that I've experienced so far are the ones where he's giving the game. Coming of Age, and its sequel are prime examples of that trope.

I've also mentioned before that the Memphis Bleek x Jay-Z duo is a hit. Jay's mature and calculated delivery mixed with Bleek's youthful, bursting energy is a rare mix. You can tell these guys are partners in crime, and Jay-Z makes no qualms about showing love to both Bleek and Beanie Sigel throughout his rap career.

Ask Memphis Bleek and he'll tell you the original Coming of Age was his first song for Jay-Z and Rocafella--Jay wrote the entire song, and had Bleek vocalize the verses.

It makes sense. Look at the song.

In the first Coming of Age, the song tells a story of Jay-Z walking through his hood when he notices a youngin' (played by Memphis Bleek) admiring him. Instead of brushing him off, Jay takes the young lad as an understudy and puts him onto the crack game. He gives Bleek and the audience the keys to success, letting him know to slow down his spending on women, or to keep your appearances in check despite the money coming in. It's real nice track with a real smooth vibe that lays it out plainly for the audience to hear.

I mentioned before it reminds me a lot of Eminem's "Guilty Conscience", which was recorded in 1998, two years after the original Coming of Age.

However, in September of 1998, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life dropped, and Coming of Age officially had its sequel.

Let's review the lyrics. This song is so good, the whole thing is worth honoring.

To set the setting of Coming of Age (Da Sequel), Jay-Z and his former prodigy have become incredibly successful, and upon meeting his student again, Jay-Z notices there's something off about the vibe:

Note: Jay-Z lyrics in Bold, Memphis Bleek lyrics in Italics

Verse 1

Cocaine whiter now/
Operation is sweet/
Whole game tighter now/
Moving a brick a week/
Plus a nigga price is down/
We them niggas to see/
Time to start the arising now/
I don't know what's wrong with Bleek/

It seems, I'm like Keenan, picking up on the vibe/
That he ain't too happy, I could just see it in his eyes/
I don't know if it's the chicks or how we dividing the loot/
Time to pay his ass a visit 'fore he decide to get cute/

Jumped out like a star with the flavest car/
Matching the gator shirt, softer than my next door neighbors/
These young niggas think I fell out the loop/
'Cause the last time they seen me hopping, out the Coupe
I hopped out in a suit!!
ahh, my favorite Jay-Z line.

From the beginning, it's obvious that what make Jay great is his delivery. Early on, his one-liners aren't incredibly impactful, but the way his voice sounds on the track, the way he delivers his message, the lyrics and story he builds for himself--that's what makes Jay great. He knows how to make a character, and a setting with his voice and lyrics. This is no different!

I have to say again that this song provides my favorite Jay-Z line:

"These young niggas think I fell out the loop, cus the last time they seen me hopping, out the Coupe, I hopped out in a suit!"

....but back to the lyrics! It's Bleek's turn to reply:

Look at this nigga Jay fronting, trying to take my shine/
I didn't say this verbally, just had some s*** on my mind/
Plus I'm puffing like an ounce more than I used to puff/
Taking advice from these niggas but they ain't used to stuff/
They had me thinking, "Shit, I'm the one that moved the stuff/
While he drive around town in brand new Coupes and stuff"/
Swear to God, they had me practically hating his guts/
As he approached I spoke, "Jigga, whattup?"/

According to Wikipedia, only Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz are credited as writers on this song, so we can infer based on that, that Jay-Z wrote this version of the song as well as the original.

With Bleek's verse, Jay portrays the image of a young gangster starting to really get his foundation in the crack game. Not only is the money up, but Bleek in this song is able to partake more in the product, but it also looking around and feeling like he should be rewarded for the work he's putting. That sort of jealousy brings death. Jay in the second verse:

Verse 2

Look at that fake smile he just gave me, it's breaking my heart/
Should I school him or pull the tools out and just break him apart?/
I felt his hatred, it was hard -- 'fore this faking s*** start/
I should take him in back of the building and blaze him/

Uh-oh, this nigga Jay, he ain't slow, he musta picked up on the vibe/
But had I not been so high, I woulda been able to hide/
Tried to cover up myself, as I gave him a five/
Hugged him as if I loved him! To the naked eye/
It woulda seemed we was the closest, but to those that know us/
Could see that something was about to go down

Stay focused, I'm trying to concentrate/
But it's like he's reading my mind/
As if he can see through this fog and all this weed in my mind/
Could he see I had plans on, being the man?/
Ever since we first spoke and he put that G in my hand?/
And I gave it back to show him, I was down for the cause/
As he approached ("Whattup Bleek?") and I paused.../

The second verse is lovely. Not only does Jay deliver my second favorite set of lines to begin, but we start really getting into the story that this song portrays.

Jay here is the boss. And you can tell because his character is gleamed in power and respect from the very beginning. You see that he immediately noticed the alignment in energy isn't there, and it gets him itching to solve the problem--one way or another. Again, Jay illustrates the subject of power in the gangster life with this verse.

In Bleek's response, he's immediately on defense. Not only does he sense Jay knows what's up, but he's also under the influence of the product. Not a good look in the face of the boss. He wonders if Jay could see through him, or if he's known all along.

A similar scene in a modern context is between Meruem and Welfin from the anime, Hunter x Hunter.

The chorus and third verse:

Verse 3

I done came up (uhh), put my life on the line (uhh)/
Soaked the game up (yeah), now it's my time to shine/
Time to change up (what?), no more second in line/
Nine-eight, these streets is mine/
Yeah, you done came up (uhh), put your life on the line (uhh)/
Soaked the game up (uhh), now it's yo' time to shine (yeah)/
Time to change up, no more second in line/
Nine-eight, these streets is mine!/

Right, yo we wild out in Vegas, styled on haters/
Mouthed off at the cops, outta cranberry drops/
Copped whips the same color, we tighter than brothers/
With different fathers but same mothers, this life don't love us/
So 'til death do us, I'm never breaking my bond/
Nigga, we Lex movers, V-12 pushers/

As I stand/
One leg of my pants up, in a stance like, "And what?"/
I know these niggas are feeding my mind cancer/
But in time's the answer (woo!)/
Seems mind-blowing, this weed and Hennessy/
Got my mind going, trust me nigga, I'm knowing/
Chicks used to ignore me/
And my aunt saying I need 50, not 60/40/
Oh God, don't let him control y'all/
Your gun is my gun, your clip is my clip, baby/
Your fun is my fun (uh huh), your b**** is my b****/
Any nigga trying to harm Jay, I'm feeling for you/
I ain't only touching you, I'm killing your crew/
Give it a year, you'll be sitting on a million or two/
Records sold, nigga, perfect your role, yea!

And in the end, it was resolved. The theme of this song is boss mentality. The aura is the described, the awareness is described, the difference between a boss and an elite employee is described, and putting the business before emotions is described as well.

Jay-Z makes a boss move here. He acknowledges Bleek being one of his top people, and instead of taking him to the back of the building and blazing him, he remembers the loyalty he's received from Bleek and decides to promote him. He reassures Bleek that he knows what he's put in and re-affirms his own loyalty to his employee. Bleek also gives thought to the voices he mentions in the first verse that distracted him and took his mind off the prize.

Not only is Bleek empowered and back aligned with Jay, but Jay let's him know one other thing: we're moving to the music game. Take what Bleek was able to prove with the dangerous game, and now he has an opportunity to do it in a clean and more fortuitous way: the music game.

This song is actually worth playing for your manager when everything's not all good on the job!

I'll actually make a final comparison. The order of events in this song really reminds me of the Book of Genesis, where the Spirit of God met with Adam and Eve, who had just eaten the fruit that condemned humanity and tried to hide their nakedness from the eyes of the Lord.

A well-done track, and a favorite of mine It's hard for me to think about these first 5 Jay-Z albums without giving honor to Coming Of Age (Da Sequel).

About the author

Tito94 is a creative writer in Atlanta, GA. His interests lie in music, sports, tech, and gaming. Tito is a skilled writer and has been a member of the music website KTT since December 2008 and through entertaining content has amassed feats such as, the most posts in site history and the creation of the sports section.

@op

The coming of age tracks highkey have become skips for me

The sequencing of A Week Ago into Coming of Age Da Sequel is nuts. A pop rap album randomly turns into a deep examination of interpersonal relationships between MEN

Jokes aside I respect the breakdown and the song is amazing from a production and lyrical perspective, that’s gotta be one of swizz best tracks actually. Coming right after week ago is a little too heavy though and almost borders on being redundant just with how close they are

i can agree, I haven’t gone back to the original Coming of Age too often—I think the sequel is surely superior (though the original track was good until I heard the sequel). However, Memphis Bleek x Jay was Jay and Kanye before Jay and Kanye, and you just can’t make a habit of skipping those tracks. Bleek’s energy is just too consistent and unique.

I would say Vol. 2 isn’t yet a pop rap album… you see where Jay is beginning with Hard Knock Life, Money Ain’t A Thang, and Can I Get A…., but when you have songs like Coming of Age 2 and Reservoir Dogs, If I Should Die, Nigga What Nigga Who… them boys are spitting like it’s a true blue New York album. There’s a couple big names on here (DMX, Jermaine Dupri), but I would say Jay’s pop albums begin with Vol. 3… it still feels like he has competition to defeat with his approach in Vol. 2

Search And You Will Find: These excerpts from Jay-Z are from a 2010 interview by Forbes Magazine, featuring him and Warren Buffet [LINK]

Find Someone Who Sees Your Potential

• “I grew up in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn. Our classrooms were flooded. It was very difficult for teachers to give you one-on-one attention. And there was this one sixth-grade teacher named Miss Lowden. She must have seen something in me, and she gave me this attention and this love for words. It’s funny how it works, just a little bit of attention. She also took us on a field trip to her house, which opened me up to the world. My neighborhood had been my world. It’s the only thing I had seen. I saw a whole different world that day, and my imagination grew from there. I wanted that. I aspired to have that. The small things. She had an ice thing on her refrigerator. You know, you push it and the ice and the water comes down. I was really amazed by that. I was like, I want one of those. It’s true.”

Focus on What You Love - Don’t Get Distracted

• “Back then there was a guy by the name of Jazz who I started out with. He had a deal with EMI. He had the opportunity to go to London to record his album. I went along with him for two months. In those two months there was a sting operation and they took another friend to jail for 13 years. The only reason I wasn’t there was because I was away doing this music stuff. Had it not been for music, and music taking me out at the right time, my life could very easily have been his, very easily.”

• “It just got to a point where it was, like, ‘Make this decision, because this is something you really love and you love to do. It’s time to really focus on and then get serious about it, give it your all.’ And once I did that, it was no looking back from there.”

bro doing all this just to end up getting to Jay-Zs final album which is about him literally cheating on his girl and still keeping her

ktt doing divorced guy content is beautiful . aging is a blessing to witness

divorced guys dont even watch michael mann movies anymore they just binge jay z albums

Lmao life is indeed a mystery and it is a circle as well

Project Bonus:

Gotta take the good with the bad

Smile with the sad

Love what you've got

And remember what you had

The most posts in site history???

In your room like

Avy is A1

You're a wonderful person and I am glad to have spent time with you. It is among the most beautiful time in my life and more beauty is yet to come. I learned so much and I feel so peaceful. Idk what's next but I am expecting the best for you and me

THE RE-RANK IS UP NEXT

Slow Down, by Bobby Valentino

Part 2: Beyond A Reasonable Doubt

ktt2.com/beyond

THE RE-RANK IS UP NEXT