4:44
Kill Jay Z. The Story of O.J. Smile (feat. Gloria Carter). Caught Their Eyes (feat. Frank Ocean). 4:44. Family Feud (feat. Beyonce). Bam (feat. Damian Marley). Moonlight. Marcy Me. Legacy.
Jay-Z’s Most Personal Album: “4:44”
Twelve albums in, Jay-Z had found repeated success with producers like Timbaland, Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Pharrell. However, he never had someone singlehandedly craft a project for him until “4:44,” which is Jay-Z’s most personal album. Made amidst cheating scandals and elevator pay-per-view events, Jay-Z put everything on the table with this 10-track LP. Understanding that he needed to pair transparency with consistency, Hov locked in with No I.D. for the album’s 36-minute runtime.
Opening with “Kill Jay Z”
The album opens with “Kill Jay Z,” where Shawn acknowledges that he needs to put his ego to rest before addressing various subjects. Themes touch on everything from colorism and internalized hatred on “The Story Of O.J.” to managing generational wealth on “Legacy,” with no filler in between. Noteworthy features include Frank Ocean, Damian Marley, and wife Beyoncé. Even Gloria Carter, his mom, makes her first return since “The Black Album.”
Consistent Quality and Powerful Themes
“4:44’s” strength lies in its concise tracklist and steady quality throughout. If you argue “Marcy Me” is Hov’s best song, we wouldn’t disagree. “Smile,” “Caught Their Eyes,” and “Moonlight” are some of the best album cuts from the Brooklyn vet. The title track, “4:44,” showcases Hov in his existential bag.
Grammy Snubs and Unorthodox Rollout
Despite being nominated for 8 Grammys, Jay-Z walked away without a single trophy. Going 0-8 is a crazy percentage for a legend like Hov. Paired with an unorthodox rollout, “4:44” was released through a partnership deal between Sprint and Tidal, initially only available to their customers. It was the first in a planned series of music exclusives, which has us excited for future releases.
Long-Term Impact and Unique Production Process
Ranking this album is difficult due to the short time we’ve had to sit with it. Even so, its impact is already felt. Would we get Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” if “4:44” never happened? Maybe not. One admirable aspect of the album is its production process. In an interview with Rap Radar’s B. Dot & Elliott Wilson, Jay-Z confirmed No I.D. already had the beats for “Kill Jay Z,” “Family Feud,” and the title track “4:44.” Jay-Z curated a playlist of songs he was listening to at the time before getting to work and chopping them up. Not only is this Jay-Z’s most personal album, but it’s also the only one he curated himself.
Art from Pain
What’s that quote about art coming from pain? Here you have it. “4:44” stands as a testament to Jay-Z’s ability to evolve and deliver deeply personal content, making it one of his most impactful albums to date.
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