Happy Birthday Jay Z
The year 2019 has been one hell of year for Jay Z, as he become the first hip hop artist billionaire. The rapper has marked his legacy as one of the most successful artist in R&B and Hip Hop, with 21 Grammy Awards which includes “Salute to Industry Icons” award at the 60th Grammy Awards. “Empire State of Mind” singer has turned 50 today and at the age of 50 the rapper also attained the third wealthiest African American and the wealthiest American Musician. As a way of saluting and wishing the legend, a happy birthday, here are some of Jay Z’s best tracks:
Izzo ( H.O.V.A)
Often referred to as H to the izzo a slang term , and H.O.V.A, a part where Jay Z proclaimed himself as the JeHova of rap. The diss track produced by Kanye West is the first single from his sixth album The Blueprint. The song talks about Jay’s life basically about him starting from the bottom and having to sell drugs for financing his first album and start Roc-A-Fella Records. In the song Jay Z mentioned that he is “not guilty” referring an incident when he was accused of stabbing record producer at New York City night club. After the song came out the singer was sentenced to probation.
https://youtu.be/cJoLqqiGU64
Empire State of Mind
Here is one fun fact about Empire state of mind, the title is similar to Nas’ 1994, “N.Y. State of Mind” and Billy Joel’s 1976 song, “New York State of Mind”. The song is a stand out statement for the people of New York, and New York City which offers challenges and opportunities to the people. The Hip hop track features Alicia Keys and was realised in 2009.
Otis
Otis is a track from the album Watch the Throne, and was premiered on July 20, 2011, on Funkmaster Flex’s Hot 97 radio show. The two rappers Jay Z and Kanye team up together for the mid tempo hip hop songs talking about fame and wealth.
https://youtu.be/BoEKWtgJQAU
The Story of O.J
The song is from his thirteenth studio album 4: 44 which peaked at No.23 on the Us Billboard Hot 100. The song portrays about stereotyping black culture, referring Oj Simpson, the former NFL running back who killed his wife. The incident strained the relationship between black community of Los Angeles and the LAPD.
99 Problems
This track is the third single from the album “The Black Album” and was released in the year 2004. The diss track is about dealing with critics and has the chorus hook “I got 99 problems but a b***h ain’t one” which is actually taken from Ice T single “99 Problems”. It went Platinum two times in the US and peaked at No.30 on the Billboard Hot100
https://youtu.be/6uikJTnmtgw
