As soon as Jay-Z and Kanye West announced they were naming their joint album projectWatch the Throne, it was clear that the superstar rappers were aiming to raise the creative bar for themselves and hip-hop in general. They've realized those ambitions on Throne(**** out of four), a potent set of tracks that finds them stepping up their games and stepping out of their comfort zones.
While both display their characteristic swagger and dabble in materialism, they also ruminate on religion, poverty, crime, loss and the price of success. Their chemistry — born of a decade-long association — allows each to carve out his own stylistic space, with Jay-Z coolly delivering his incisive lyrical darts, while the more emotional West thrives on adrenaline-fueled punchlines.
Throne, which has been anticipated for nearly a year, became available exclusively on iTunes Monday. (The CD will be in stores Friday.)
West oversaw production of the album, which has a broad sonic palette thanks to the contributions of RZA,Swizz Beatz, Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Q-Tip and others.
The percussive drive of album opener No Church in the Wild underpins Jay-Z's contemplation of the relevance of the clergy and ancient philosophers to someone who makes his living on the streets, while R&B star Frank Ocean questions, "What is a God to a non-believer?" That song's edginess gives way to a swirl of synthesizers on the epic anthem Lift Off,which features Beyoncé. Two songs later, the rappers wallow in luxury on the humorous Otis, built on soul great Redding's Try a Little Tenderness.
They veer back to more serious themes with the introspective New Day. Both wonder how they would raise the sons that neither of them have. Reflecting on his own controversies, West says, "I just want 'em to have an easy life / Not like Yeezy life / Just want 'em to be someone people like / Don't want 'em to be hated all the time, judged." Jay-Z expresses concern about the inevitable media attention any child he and Beyoncé might have would attract: "Sorry, Junior, I already ruined ya / 'Cause you ain't even alive, paparazzi pursuin' ya."
Welcome to the Jungle finds Jay-Z lamenting personal losses and overcoming his struggles ("I look in the mirror, I'm my only opponent"). Murder to Excellence delineates the homicide rate in urban communities, but is hopeful that the senseless violence can be stemmed by more achievement. On an equally potent Made in America, the two talk about their rises to fame, while acknowledging those who helped and inspired them.
They've also clearly inspired each other. Star collaborations don't always work out as well in practice as they do on paper (see: Jay-Z and R. Kelly). But in this case, they've created an artistic Throne that other rappers can aspire to.
While both display their characteristic swagger and dabble in materialism, they also ruminate on religion, poverty, crime, loss and the price of success. Their chemistry — born of a decade-long association — allows each to carve out his own stylistic space, with Jay-Z coolly delivering his incisive lyrical darts, while the more emotional West thrives on adrenaline-fueled punchlines.
Throne, which has been anticipated for nearly a year, became available exclusively on iTunes Monday. (The CD will be in stores Friday.)
West oversaw production of the album, which has a broad sonic palette thanks to the contributions of RZA,Swizz Beatz, Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Q-Tip and others.
The percussive drive of album opener No Church in the Wild underpins Jay-Z's contemplation of the relevance of the clergy and ancient philosophers to someone who makes his living on the streets, while R&B star Frank Ocean questions, "What is a God to a non-believer?" That song's edginess gives way to a swirl of synthesizers on the epic anthem Lift Off,which features Beyoncé. Two songs later, the rappers wallow in luxury on the humorous Otis, built on soul great Redding's Try a Little Tenderness.
Welcome to the Jungle finds Jay-Z lamenting personal losses and overcoming his struggles ("I look in the mirror, I'm my only opponent"). Murder to Excellence delineates the homicide rate in urban communities, but is hopeful that the senseless violence can be stemmed by more achievement. On an equally potent Made in America, the two talk about their rises to fame, while acknowledging those who helped and inspired them.
They've also clearly inspired each other. Star collaborations don't always work out as well in practice as they do on paper (see: Jay-Z and R. Kelly). But in this case, they've created an artistic Throne that other rappers can aspire to.
