In typical fashion, Jay-Z and Kanye West managed to break the iTunes sells record for the most downloads in one week, ousting Coldplay's 2008 record with their album Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends which sold 282,000 in its first week. Kanye and Jay's physical release of the album on Friday, August 12th in stores and its electronic release online on August 8th had the Internets ablaze with talks of it either being dope or wack. Many people were complaining saying that in this time of economic downturn, Jay and 'Ye shouldn't be flaunting their wealth in the faces of the poor and marginalized Americans that purchase their albums.
Once I listened to the album and saw the video, it was much more clear that Jay-Z and Kanye were not throwing their money in our faces, but more so celebrating the lifestyle and riches that their hard work has afforded them. When I take a look at the new video for the Otis track, with the American flag prominently displayed in the background, I see two kids from the inner city, elated and relieved, celebrating making something out of nothing. I see the hard work, blood, sweat and tears; the let downs, denials and doors closed in their faces, which only propelled them to greater heights, why? Because they never gave up.
Thinking back to the day when Jay-Z was trying to get a major label deal. All of the then top music labels denied him. When Kanye was trying to sell more than just beats, in an effort to rhyme, he was shut down by his fair share of naysayers. Looking at them now, it seems like they have it all. But the best is yet to come. I am anxious for the Watch The Throne tour and who will be the surprise guests tagging along.
To get an idea of what I'm referring to, take a look at the video for Otis, the debut track off the Watch The Throne album:
Selling 290,000 units on iTunes is a admirable task. One which I am sure Jay-Z and Kanye are very proud of. But I want to get back to the negative comments I've heard people spew in reference to the tone and message on the album. Jay said it best when he inquired, "Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?" I now understand what Mr. Carter meant when he uttered the aforementioned line on a previous song. How could someone listen to tracks like No Church In The Wild where Kanye and Jay address topics like God, priests, the church, etc. and think it has no depth? Or how could they hear them talk about their unborn children and how they would right their wrongs through the birth of their seeds on New Day and proclaim that they are merely shallow and self-absorbed?
Hov and Martin Louis The King, Jr. also blast off on a track called Welcome To The Jungle where they speak of sadness and loss. I don't know about ya'll, but that material sure sounds deep and thought-provoking to me. But I will let you be the judge.
ITS TIME TO WEIGH IN:
Did you buy the new Watch The Throne album?
If so, do you like the subject matter of the tracks?
Which track are you feeling the most?
Are you disappointed with Jay-Z's and Kanye's braggadocious rhymes?
How would you rate the album on a scale of 1-10?
Check out some more artwork from the album:
Did you buy the new Watch The Throne album?
ReplyDeleteYes.
If so, do you like the subject matter of the tracks?
Yes. Ranges from luxury to socio-political commentary. Jay-z mentions Fred Hampton. Get out of here with the criticism folks. He's worth 1/2 a billion, and provides more commentary than most. You quoted the perfect quote to describe the sentiment from the naysayers.
Which track are you feeling the most?
"Murder to Excellence" is genius.
Are you disappointed with Jay-Z's and Kanye's braggadocious rhymes?
No. I expect nothing less.
How would you rate the album on a scale of 1-10?
The album is genius. It has to be at least a 9. I'm trying to be careful not to compare to any of their individual works.