Their faith was well placed, as everything about “4:44” is reminiscent of an early-2000s Jay-Z record.

Following multiple vignettes and teasers, fans were optimistic that the album would see Jay-Z return to the sound that made him such a legendary figure in hip-hop. However, after four long years, Jay-Z finally released his thirteenth studio album, “4:44,” on June 30. Jay-Z slipped into the background of the genre, and it seemed unlikely that the hip-hop community would ever receive another album from the recent Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee. The project was slightly disappointing, considering Jay-Z’s track record the album was not bad by any stretch, yet the standard for a legend of hip-hop is certainly raised above the average artist. “4:44” – Jay-Zīest Tracks – “ The Story of O.J.,” “ 4:44,” “ Marcy Me”Īfter the 2013 release of Hov’s twelfth studio album, “ Magna Carta… Holy Grail,” many hip-hop fans were worried that Jay-Z may not ever release another album. Similarly to BROCKHAMPTON’s “Saturation,” Lamar effortlessly changes his tone, inflection and intensity on each track of “DAMN.” His bombastic delivery on “DNA.” is a complete contrast to his performance on a track like “ LOVE.” It is in this variance of style that “DAMN.” shines, as it seems that there is a song that fits every music fan’s taste. One thing that is clear after listening to “DAMN.” is that Lamar is one of, if not, the most versatile musicians walking the earth today. The work follows a cohesive theme, and each track is tied together by the final verse of the closing track, “DUCKWORTH.” However, unlike “To Pimp a Butterfly,” each song has the ability to stand on its own, and they do not rely on the listener having heard any of the other songs on the album, which does not necessarily make “DAMN.” a better album, but it is an obvious distinction from Lamar’s previous record. The album is absolutely an easier listen than “To Pimp a Butterfly” for a casual hip-hop fan, as many of the tracks fit a more mainstream sound. “DAMN.” is a polarizing record, as some believe it to be Lamar’s best album, while others believe it to be his worst. Finally, on April 14, Lamar released his third studio album, “DAMN.” The hype surrounding his newest album was unprecedented, and the whole hip-hop community froze to listen to what Lamar had in store for them. On March 23 of this year, Lamar released a single titled “ The Heart Part 4,” and teased an upcoming album release. Following his critically acclaimed album “ To Pimp a Butterfly,” fans were left wondering what Lamar had in store for his next project. Kendrick Lamar is the best rapper alive, and it is becoming more and more difficult to deny it with every album that he releases.

Top five jay z albums