The Dynasty Roc la Familia [PA]

Performer: Jay-Z
Artist: Memphis Bleek; Scarface; DJ Clue; Beanie Sigel; Snoop Dogg; R. Kelly; Lil' Mo
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Jay-Z, Scarface, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, Snoop Dogg (rap vocals); R. Kelly, Freeway (vocals); Just Blaze (vinyl scratches); Lil Mo, DJ Clue, L. Dionne, Rell, Pharrell Williams, Static (background vocals). Producers: Just Blaze, Rick Rock, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Kanye West. Engineers: Chauncey Mahan, Duro, Shane "Bermy" Woodley. Recorded at Baseline, New York, New York and Enterprise Studios, Los Angeles, California. "Change The Game" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. Personnel: Jay-Z (vocals); DJ Clue?, L. Dionne, Rell, Static (vocals); Chauncey Mahan (programming); Just Blaze (scratches). Audio Mixers: Greg Smith ; Duro. Recording information: Baseline Studios, New York, NY; Enterprise Studios, LA. Photographer: Jonathan Mannion. Jay-Z released REASONABLE DOUBT, his solo debut, in 1996. Only four years later, he dropped his fifth album, THE DYNASTY. Matching his unique off-beat delivery with hip-hop's most impressive lyrics, the Brooklyn-native reinforces the idea that he is one of rap's most profound MCs. Once again, Jay-Z shows us he knows about "big pimpin'" with tracks like "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and "Parking Lot Pimpin'," tales about the fast life, women, and money. Still, the rapper doesn't abandon the street ethics that have made him famous, as evident on the hustler's anthem "Streets Is Talking." Limiting the guest appearances to a minimum, besides his Roc-a-fella camp, he is joined by heavy hitters such as Snoop Dogg on "Get Your Mind Right Mami" and R. Kelly on "Guilty Until Proven Innocent." Inspiring other rappers to think deeply before they put their pen to the pad, Jay-Z keeps getting better, and despite multi-platinum status, he hasn't lost his street credibility.

Rolling Stone (1/4/01, p.110) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Top 50 Albums of 2000". Rolling Stone (12/7/00, pp.109-10) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Jay confronts the new, unfamiliar demands of being a father figure with the same determined egoism and intelligence that he used while hustling in Brooklyn...adding another dimension to an already intriguing figure..." Q (1/01, p.111) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...He impresses most when bypassing the guns/ho's/Gucci shtick for some inventive musical twists...or commenting on ghetto life and absconding fathers..." Q (p.136) - 3 stars out of 5 - "THE DYNASTY is solid enough. Aside from his obvious lyrical dexterity, it's all high-octane street dreaming and emergent family obsessions..." The Source (1/01, p.188) - 4.5 mics out of 5 - "...[His] most collectively spiritual and introspective LP to date - a flurry of party frolickin' and honest, compelling notes...sprinkled with Brooklyn gunfight mentality..." NME (Magazine) (11/25/00, p.35) - 8 stars out of 10 - "...A showcase for the up-and-coming rappers on Roc-A-Fella...16 hard-knock ghetto fables....All the Jay-Z trademarks - quality, consistency, slamming beats and lyrical prowess - are here..."

Considered one of the best lyricists to emerge in the wake of the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac's deaths, Jay-Z has since carried the flag of hip-hop narrative skill. His Roc-A-Fella family had already created a solid reputation based on Jay-Z's 1997 debut. As his fame has grown, so has his tendency to bring more R&B production elements into his work, creating a club-friendly, danceable version of east coast gangsta hip-hop that hasn't diminished his reputation as a preeminent force in rap. Perhaps even more importantly, Jay-Z has become a powerful musica impresario. In his role as president/CEO of Def Jam in the early 2000s, he fostered the careers of popular R&B singers Rihanna and Ne-Yo, and enjoyed a high profile as a co-owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team. His long relationship and eventual marriage to superstar Beyonce has further endeared him to fans.

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