Roc-A-Fella/Roc Nation/Def Jam
Release Date: August 8, 2011
First and foremost, my apologies for the delay. However, the delay was deliberate. I wanted to give time to allow everyone soak in what has occurred within the past month or so before placing my biases upon you. If I were a betting fellow (and I am), I would bet that you have already heard Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch The Throne. If you are reading this, I take it that you’d like to hear my take on this occurrence. So let’s go…
From our early remembrances of Jay & Ye together on “This Can’t Be Life”, which was, of course, produced by Ye, as well as bearing the brunt of the production on what I think is Jay’s best project, The Blueprint, this pairing has proved to work together like peanut butter & jelly, Zelda & Nintendo, Cheech & Chong, chicken fingers & french fries, songs & dance, and so & so on. So when I caught wind that Mr. Carter and Mr. West were planning to release another collaborative effort, I was definitely interested as well as excited.
Once details came out, I figured this a move of monumental measures from these two’s part. Just the creation and release of this project is of epic proportion within the music industry. Honestly, just in terms of relevance musically, I believe Jay needed this collaborative output more so than Ye. These two titans team up not only to release a full-length, collaborative effort, but they do so without the conventional album marketing and promotion methods. Not to mention, this project did NOT, I repeat, did NOT leak, which is next to impossible in this day and age. Regardless of the quality of the actual output, Jay-Z & Kanye has provided the blueprint to one of the major problems facing the industry. Word is, retailers were pissed at the fact that Jay & Ye had this much power. This is, again, EPIC.
A record of such proportions likens itself to the teaming up of Lebron and D-Wade, which Jay & Ye ironically state on “Gotta Have It”. Using that merger as an example, it is safe to say that the opinions will both be numerous and strong. Many people are purists to a particular standpoint, and may not like this merger, be it initially or infinitely. 9th Wonder said “Watch The Throne was not for him”, Cyhi The Prynce said “Watch The Throne is a masterpiece”. Tastes will vary and Arnold & Willis Jackson will tell you “different strokes for different folks”. To-MAY-to or to-MAH-to? Regardless of one’s opinion of the project’s material, well all must agree that this is a big project for music period, especially hip-hop.
There is tons and tons of hype around this project, and yet, with Royce Da 5’9″ & Eminem’s recent release, Bad Meets Evil, and Wayne & Drake’s yet to be released, untitled project, Watch The Throne may arguably not even be the best collaborative output of two individuals in recent times. As of this current moment, I’ve deemed this occurrence as classic; however, I am not screaming classic on the actual music just yet.
So exactly what does the phrase “Watch The Throne” mean? Well according to Jay (provided in an interivew via SOHH):
“It’s just protecting the music and the culture, like, it’s people that’s in the forefront of the music,” Jay told radio host Lorenzo Thomas. “It’s like, ‘Watch the throne,’ protect it. You just watch how popular music shift and how hip-hop has basically replaced rock n’ roll as the youth music. The same thing could happen to hip-hop. It could be replaced by other forms of music. So it’s just like making sure we’re putting that effort in making the best product, so we can contend with all these other music. With all dance music that’s dominating the charts right now, indie music that’s dominating the festivals and still holding off rock n roll. Just to hold our place and make sure — the hip-hop culture is still the most dominant form of music around the world.” (99 Jamz)
With that said, let’s get into this review…
The album’s cover and booklet artwork is nice. I’m not particularly sure what it is or means, but whatever. I won’t really get into the breakdown of the lyrics too much, it is nearly impossible to know exactly what an artist’s lines may mean. Is it literal or figurative? There’s just so much ambiguity to have a proper interpretation. But isn’t that the beauty of art? Leaving the interpretation and reaction in hands of the beholder (in this case, the listener)? But do know this, Yeezy and Hov are very intricate with their selection of words.
I will say that this is a collaborative album in every sense. By this I mean, some records sound like one artist is featured on the other’s, and other records sound like they’re a duo, like The Clipse. However, I think that that structure is a good look because it’s keep things balanced. Kanye even collabed with several other producers on WTT’s records. Although they do get insightful and political on this project, most of Watch The Throne is rich ni**a rap. Now, one’s opinion of that may differ. Is it them rubbing their riches in our faces? Or is it them celebrating their success while emerging from many of the same humble abodes we are in or have come from?
These are certain premises that I possess when it comes to WTT:
Whether consciously or subconsciously,
1. Jay-Z fans are expecting to hear more “Jay-Z-like” music and vice-versa.
2. Each song is a competition (i.e. Who murdered whom?). And whoever is a bigger fan of whichever artist will probably biasedly choose that artist overall.
Seeing that I am in that number of who is throne watching, is my expectations of this project elevated? Perhaps. Am I listening and critiquing this with a finer toothed comb than I normally would? Possibly. Nevertheless, enough of mindless chatter, I present to you my review of Jay-Z and West’s Watch The Throne…
*Note: If you do somehow make through this review, I have some goodies waiting for you at this reviews finish line.
1. “No Church In The Wild” featuring Frank Ocean & The Dream (Produced by 88-Keys, Kanye West & Mike Dean)
The dynamic duo use this track to take the opportunity to speak on things in which you may or may not be able to relate to, but have probably imagined. Jigga discusses the irony and hypocrisy involved with society’s prestigious things as well as speaking on philosophical beliefs, while Ye speaks on his lifestyle and the rules that come along with it, hence the “religion”, “sin”, and “felony” references. This may or may not “right”, but it certainly goes against society’s popular beliefs. The hook, effectively delivered by Odd Future’s Frank Ocean, illustrates the circle of life in a sense and how one trumps the other:
“Human being in a mob?
What’s a mob to a king?
What’s a king to a god?
What’s a god to a non-believer?”
Not sure which of the hook Jay & Ye consider themselves, but “No Church In The Wild” is about Drugs, Sex & Hip-Hop and pretty much sets the tone and prepares listeners for the rest of the project. This is a great introductory record to the set the foundation for the rest of Watch The Throne.
*Here is an unofficial video done by High5Collective (who also did the official Frank Ocean “Thinking About You” video)*
2. “Lift Off” featuring Beyonce (Produced by Kanye West, Mike Dean, Q-Tip, Pharrell & Don Jazzy)
WTT’s third single is simply about taking to the top. “Lift Off” is about their travels on the tough road of blood, sweat and tears encountered on the way to the top. With Beyonce on the hook, this is definitely a big, triumphant record; sounds like it something that should be on Rocky. Hell, even Seal is on this record. I also love the ending of the record and the way it switches up. Ye makes this record, especially seeing how Jay-Z only provides 4 bars. “Lift Off” is just feels like one of those stadium status songs that’s supposed to be performed in front of one of those festival crowds of 100,000+ people.
3. “Ni**as In Paris” (Produced by Hit-Boy, Kanye West, Mike Dean & Anthony Kilhoffer)
Jay & Ye use WTT’s fourth single to simply celebrate and talk their ish. The explosive drums used on a dope beat along with the duo’s verbal overlay provides for a nice club, swag record. The Blades of Glory movie scene used to soundtrack the record is a nice touch as well. “That ish cray!”
4. “Otis” featuring Otis Redding (Produced by Kanye West)
This record is fittingly WTT’s first official single (2nd single if you count “H-A-M”). I honestly feel that Jay and Ye utilize this record to ish on and belittle the haters and naysayers. Namely, I think “Otis” was used to go at Wayne, Drake, and others (Why do I think that? Read THIS). I love the back and forth rhyme pattern used reminiscent of Styles & Jada or Pun & Fat Joe. Although Cee-Lo wasn’t really feeling this joint, I enjoyed it myself. “Sounds so soulful, don’t you agree?” Indeed, I do agree.
5. “Gotta Have It” (Produced by The Neptunes & Kanye West)
On this record, my theory of Kanye & Jay-Z being the DWade & LeBron is confirmed on this record with these lyrics:
“[Jay-Z:] Ain’t that where the Heat play? Ni**as hate ballas these days [Kanye:] Ain’t that like LeBron James? [Jay-Z:] Ain’t that just like D. Wade?”
Just like the previous record (“Otis”), this record has the back and forth interaction that I am so very fond of. I love this record, and although brief, “Gotta Have It” provides for a great track.
6. “New Day” (Produced by Kanye West, RZA, Mike Dean & Ken Lewis)
Jay-Z & Kanye West – New Day[Prod. RZA, Mike Dean & Kanye West] by DJRADIO718
“New Day” is one of the best as well as one of my favorite records on Watch The Throne. Jay & Ye both get introspective and reflect on mistakes they’ve made in life. Although they are addressing their unborn, they are basically talking to their younger selves. Philosophically speaking, when you have a child, it’s like you are getting a do-over in a sense. Of course, they’re their own person, but you can still school them based on the life you have lived. We all know the thought of “if I knew then, what I know now.”
Jay & Ye’s confessions of lessons learned is also knowledge that the audience can consider and soak up. Ye speaks on the things he’s done and saying he doesn’t want that for his offspring so that things would be easier and he’d be likable. This is actually clever because Kanye actually simultaneously takes shots at certain individuals (including Amber Rose). After these expressions, they then let the record Ye & The RZA connected on ride out. Seeing that Jay has knocked up Beyonce, looks like his soon to be born child will get to hear this record. Do you think she was knocked up when he birthed this verse?
7. “That’s My B*tch” featuring Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver) & Elly Jackson (of La Roux) (Produced by Kanye West, Q-Tip & Jeff Bhasker)
On the project’s most pop track, Jay & Ye’s provide an ode to their chicks. Jay’s, of course, being Beyonce and Ye’s being, well, that’s for him to know. “That’s My B*tch” sort of reminds me of a NERD record. I’m not sure if anyone else thought this, but I thought it was Charlie Wilson on this record, but it is actually Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Elly Jackson (of La Roux) appears on the record as well. This is a cool, groovy joint.
8. ”Welcome To The Jungle” (Produced by Swizz Beatz)
This record is all Jay. Hov speaks on his experiences, both good and bad (more bad than good), that has provided for pained and a tortured soul. The jungle (and possibly the wild) is regards to the hood. BIG, 2Pac, Pimp C, Michael Jackson, Kanye’s mother, Jay-Z’s nephew, uncle and dad are all amongst subjects used to assist in expressing his mind state. They use a track that is vintage Swizz Beatz (I was waiting for Cassidy to come in) to let distress off their chest. Although short, this is an effectively real record.
9. “Who Gon Stop Me” (Prodcued Shama “Sak Pase” Joseph, Kanye West & Mike Dean)
Jay & Ye enlist the homie Shama “Sak Pase” Joseph to provide them with the dub-step influenced production of “Who Gon Stop Me”. Sak Pase sampled the Flux Pavillion record of the same name. Dub-step is definitely one of the next big things in urban music (i.e. Hip-Hop), so shout-out to Fki, Chiddy Bang, Mickey Factz & Heroes X Villians for being amongst the forerunners who are utilizing this sound. As a matter of fact, Chiddy Bang & Fki, respectively, have actually used the Flux Pavilion record as well. On ”Who Gon Stop Me”, Jay & Ye speak on persevering through several of life’s roadblocks. They deliver this message through troubling, yet real, truthfulness:
“This is something like a holocaust / Millions of our people lost”
As well as using the continual overtone of stunting to deliver the message:
“Yall weed purple, my money purple, y’all Steve Urkel, I’m Oprah circle, I wrote the verse, that I hope will hurt you.”
And there you have both sides of the coin. Make sure to peep Kanye’s use of Pig-Latin to tell basically tell haters to get off his jock. “Who Gon Stop Me” is a decent record, however, I do feel that the track could have been somewhat better. Especially in regards to the change in the beat towards the end, I think it changes for the worst although Jay does deliver lyrically. But hey, who gon stop them huh?!
10. “Murder To Excellence” (Produced by Swizz Beatz ["Murder"] & S1 (["Excellence"])
This record is actually two records on one track. “Murder To Excellence”, which was produced Swizz Beatz, is a rags-to-riches, bricks-to-billboards, hood-to-penthouse illustration of both sides (Murder & Excellence). This is one of Watch The Throne’s realest and most popular records. The political “Murder To Excellence” speaks on the on-going war, and even genocide, that’s happening domestically. And although the “Excellence” portion of the record, produced by S1, takes it from the daunting tales of sorrow to celebratory flows of happiness, it still speaks upon the lack of blacks the higher one moves in class; and this is from the perspective of individuals actually in the position in which many are striving for. Kanye shined on the “Murder” portion of the record and Jay on the “Excellence” portion.
11. “Made In America” featuring Frank Ocean (Produced by Shama “Sake Pase” Joseph)
“Made In America” is a tribute to those who paved the way for Jay & Ye to travel the road to success and make it in America. It speaks on their come-up in their respective manners, from Jay and his drug-dealing to Ye and his production-pushing, as well as the shared struggles of young black males with hopes of getting mail. Jay & Ye go on to narrate their tales from the past through the come-up, right up to recent history. They call on Frank Ocean again to serenade the track, and again, he delivers. Personally, I feel he ”made” this record (figuratively speaking). As Jay states, “this is the star spangled banner”, well at least, our modern day Star Spangled Banner. Shout-out to the homie Shama “Sak Pase” Joseph for providing the production for a superb record. “Sweet baby Jesus!”
12. “Why I Love You” featuring Mr. Hudson (Produced by Mike Dean, Kanye West & Anthony Kilhoffer)
“Why I Love You” is WTT’s fifth-single. This is one of those records where it is one of them featuring the other’s record. In this case, it’s Ye featuring on a Jay’s record on this tale of betrayal and love loss. On a record that reminds of one of the classic Dipset/Heatmakers joints, Jay, who quotes Waka Flocka, seems to be “bussin at” or “going at” certain individuals although no names were named. Who could it be? Beans? Dame? The Game? Cam? And could this also be speaking for Ye and be going at Consequence? I’m just speculating. Jay, who was superb on this track, discusses being loyal to a fault, which is something I definitely can attest to. People will certainly take your kindness for blindness and meekness for weakness. So this is an ode to the haters, and especially the frenemies.
BONUS TRACKS
13. “Illest Motherf**ker Alive” (Produced by Southside, Kanye West & Mike Dean) (Bonus)
Illest MFs Alive by So Left Field
On a Ross “BMF-like” club record, Jay & Ye use it as their toilet (in a good way). Although the record was not done by Lex Luger, it was done by fellow Brick Squad member Southside. Only the Illest MFs alive can start a track with 3+ mins of silence before bringing the record in and we actually wait with patience. Although this the first of four bonus tracks, I think it’s one of the best records in the 16. Jay talks his ish and Ye rocks the track with a few shots at Amber and Wiz (Eh?), but I disgress. This record is definitely a banger though. As Hov states: “This is what the ending of Scarface SHOULD feel like” and “this is where DeNiro would be if he ain’t turn back” (see Heat). I think they should actually shoot a slow motion video for this right now, and Hype Williams shooting.
14. “H-A-M” (Produced by Lex Luger, Kanye West & Mike Dean) (Bonus)
“H-A-M”, which in case stands for “Hard as a MF”, was the project’s first-single and was released in January of this year. Word is that they received mixed reactions overall, so they sort of fell back and went back to the drawing board. Jay & Ye enlist Lex Luger, who did his thing on the beat with a nice combination of heavy hitting drums and opera singers. They weren’t as effective as a Rick Ross or Young Jeezy, but nevertheless, this is still a decent record.
15. “Primetime” (Produced by NO I.D.) (Bonus)
According to Webster’s Dictionary, primetime is defined as:
1. The time period when the television or radio audience is the largest; also : television shows shown in prime time.
2. The choicest or busiest time.
3. Deion Sanders. (<—I added this one)
So, of course, this record is about the high time of their lives, or better yet, the “primetime” of their lives. And with them being them, the whole world is watching…the throne. With the night being young and the possibilities endless, Jay & Ye ponder what’s on the agenda (as says the hook). Make sure to keep up with Jay as he takes you on a numerical narrative of ages, times, weaponry, book titles, sneakers, verses, jersey numbers, autmobiles, years, and drink orders (it’ll make sense once you listen). “Primetime” is a decent record, although not one of my favorites. SIDENOTE: The record was produced by No I.D. aka Dion (which is No I.D. spelled backwards), hence the name “Primetime”.
16. “The Joy” featuring Curtis Mayfield, Charlie Wilson, Kid Cudi & Pete Rock (Produced by Pete Rock, Kanye West, Mike Dean & Jeff Bhasker) (Bonus)
With Pete Rock on the beat letting the needle drop, “The Joy” delivers the most Hip-Hop record of the project. Ironically, on the record “The Joy”, Ye speaks on some of the real curses of life’s upbringing as well as life itself. As Curtis Mayfield sings, “these are the makings of you”, the duo also rhyme about just what that is. In addition to Curtis Mayfield, Kid Cudi, Charlie Wilson & Pete Rock assist on the vocals as well. Definitely a dope record.
CONCLUSION
My score will be based on the Deluxe edition of Watch The Throne (i.e. 12 tracks + 4 bonus tracks). Jay’s & Ye’s combination of solid production selection, great lyricism and the ability to make overall appealing records makes for WTT to be a well-constructed project. Overall (bonus tracks included), I give Watch The Throne a score of 8.1 out of 10 overall.
Standout Records: “No Church In The Wild”, ”New Day”, ”Made In America”, ”Illest Motherf**ker Alive”
I know it’s what some may call blasphemous to give this project that score, but please don’t stone me. Honestly, this is no Blueprint or Graduation. And realistically, this would have never exceeded the expectations of the world, but it is still magical and imperitvely historic nonetheless. The very fact that I am being able to review such a project is legendary.
One thing I noticed about was that there were no other MCs on Watch The Throne. I wonder if any were worthy enough to be considered and if so, who they were. But I guess it’s their throne, so that’s probably why there were not any rapper features. Another thing that I wonder about is an album’s “throwaway tracks”. I wonder which Watch The Throne’s “throwaway tracks” will be either leaked in the future as unreleased records, go on future projects, or will never see the light of day. But anywho, that is my take on this historic event of Watch The Throne.
-Get your digital copy of Watch The Throne from iTunes HERE
-Get your hardcopy of Watch The Throne HERE
Now, for the goodies I promised if you were able to labor through the review:
1. Jay-Z & Kanye will be coming to a city near you for their Watch The Throne Tour, which ironically kicks off in Atlanta in late October. See the tour dates and purchase your tickets HERE
2. Not sure how long this will stay up, but here is some footage that was alledgedly leaked from a supposed Watch The Throne Documentary.
If that goes down, you can either view it HERE or HERE
3. I am positive that you have had discussions in your circles in regards to this whole occurence. Around WTT’s release, we opened a brief discussion about WTT, which you can read and chime in on yourself HERE
4. Here is a great roundtable discussion of Watch The Throne via the good folks over at Jump Off TV below:
So now that I have brainwashed you with my opinions, I implore you to consider these things and go back and listen to Watch The Throne. If you would like to discuss things with me, I would love to hear from you, feel free to post comments below or either contact me HERE
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