6. F.U.T.W. – Im back to making that Ray Allen face again. Sinister look over your shoulder and nod your head at anybody walking by because you know you could shove em in the face at any given moment type music. Where has this Jay Z been for the last few years? And why couldn’t he help Kanye capture the old Kanye? How is an old 40 year old gray haired camel putting in work like this?So many questions man. Old man showing all the young kids that think they are rappers that they aren’t. Wait, did he just quote Tupac? Yup, he did. That just took me completely out of the song. Lucky it was at the end. Still pretty wavy song though.
7. Somewhere in America – There is a lot going on in this song. However, I love the sentiment of the song. It’s the underdog done good. Rocky somewhere between Rocky I and Rocky II, after he made it, but when he was still hungry to continue on. Strange, since its coming from a guy who should be over the hill, but isn’t.
Jay, Beyonce and Blue Ivy, all before the fall
The genius of Somewhere In America is Jay’z ability to actually still be able to relate to the underdog persona even though he is a multi millionaire. When he talks about the blue bloods not liking him, he is talking about his culture opening doors and moving in to a situation that makes the current tenants uncomfortable, and how he doesnt care. Only in America can something like this happen, and Jay loves letting you know this. He could be a young Rocky, or a young immigrant, makes no difference. Its all about getting yours no matter what. The spirit of hip hop lives on, even has it gets rich.
8. Crown – You can practically see the light show going on when this song starts. Like, I feel like hunting down demonic zombies with a glowing light saber while listening to this. This is Jay at his best. He merges everything we know about him into one song: the bragging, the money, the new clients, even beef with Nas. And it all blends perfectly. Perhaps the most honest and unforgiving we have seen him in a while. Goes nicely with F.U.T.W.
