Here’s a news flash for the Hip-Hop community: Jay-Z’s true “reign” on top of the rap game faded years ago. I think Lil Wayne has been on top of the rap game since the release of Carter III and the emergence of his Young Money crew. These statements might surprise some of you being that the words are coming from me- a big Jay-Z fan who has written a book about his lyrics. True, Jay is without question my favorite Hip-Hop artist but I’m a fan of Hip-Hop itself- first and foremost. Besides, my statements are not a slight against Jay-Z, it’s simply the way it is. Let me further explain:
While Hip-Hop music and culture is not confined to the youth, its core demographic (for a lack of a better word) are “kids” between the ages of 16-24. This doesn’t mean if you’re older than 24 you can’t live Hip-Hop culture and listen to Hip-Hop music. I’m 34 years old and I still have love for Hip-Hop. But, the truth is the future of the culture is in the hands of the youth. Even those who are most committed to the culture are basically forced to play a reduced role as they get older, mature and become involved in other interests.
Jay-Z still has love for the rap game but his personal and professional interests stretch beyond the recording studio and the stage. Jigga is in his early 40′s. Do any of us really expect him to be completely focus... ed on rap music domination? Hell, the fact that he can still compete is remarkable. Jay often compares himself to Michael Jordan, which I think is a near perfect comparison because the latter stages of Jay-Z’s music career and the emergence of his business career mirrors Jordan’s accomplishments in sports and business. Like Jordan did, Jay-Z can still give you “30 or 40 points” anytime he steps into the booth or on stage. He can still be the best MC on the mic on any given performance the way Jordan could be the best on the court on any given night when he played for the Wizards at the end of his career.
Jordan wasn’t the best player in the NBA in his last few years but in no way did it taint his legacy as arguably the best ever. Jordan retired from the NBA as one of if not the best ever and that status hasn’t changed. Jordan’s business career has made him even more successful than when he was playing. I think the same can be said about Jay-Z and Hip-Hop.
I believe that the last time Jay-Z was truly on top of the rap game was 7, 8 years ago during the release and promotion of the Black Album. At the time, I thought the Black Album should have been Jay’s last musical effort. Why? I figured Jay-Z should retire and leave the rap game on top.
Jay-Z’s overall career has flourished since the release of his “retirement” album. The Black Album was supposed to be his last album but he has gone on to release three more solo albums and two collaboration albums, Watch the Throne, his album with Kanye West being his latest. His profile has gotten much bigger. In fact, I would dare say that he’s the biggest Hip-Hop personality in the world. Does he really need to be on top of the rap game if he’s on top of the world?
Peasey head still get paid
I’m combing through G’s
Please, we ain’t focused on naps
Cause I don’t run rap no more
I run the map…
Jay-Z
What We Talkin About
Jay-Z’s career is far more than just his music. He has achieved great accomplishments way beyond platinum albums. But he’s not on top of the rap game anymore not because he fell off (he didn’t), but simply because the youth movement (the 24 years old and younger crowd), which is the driving force of Hip-Hop’s future, is rolling with Lil Wayne and other MCs.
Lil Wayne is on top of the rap game…but his career is still years away from even coming close to Jay-Z’s.
As a Jay-Z fan, I think Jay has had an incredible run that does not appear to be ending any time soon. Watch the Throne is a good album that has performed well in terms of sales and buzz in its own right. One listen to the album and it’s clear that Jay hasn’t lost a step. Lyrically; he still has it. Musically; he still has it. Swagger; he still has it. Insight; he still has it. Influence; he most definitely has it….
But things have changed- sort of. Jay-Z’s core fan base (like myself) have gotten older while rap music’s core fan base has stayed the same (in their teens and 20’s). Lil Wayne now appears to be the leader of this new school of Hip-Hop.
I’ve written before about how I was surprised and impressed with Lil Wayne’s rise. Lil Wayne (who is damn near 30) has been around almost as long as Jay-Z. He came into the game as a kid and is much younger than Jay. He may be the leader of the new school but he’s a veteran in the game who has paid his dues. He’s a prolific recorder. It took him awhile to have a career-changing breakthrough but clearly he has now claimed his spot at the top. He deserves his success.
With that said, personally, I’m not really a big fan of Wayne’s. I like his music but I don’t need a “daily dose” of it like I do Jay-Z’s music or Nas’s. I respect Wayne’s lyrically ability but I can’t get with his swagger. What do I mean by this? Lil Wayne is talented but I think he’s too caught up in trying to be a rock star opposed to a rap superstar. In other words: Lil Wayne’s seems to be following the 80’s rock star model (exhibit A: His performance on MTV’s VMA).
I came from an era where Hip-Hop stars shined brightly for our culture. Many of today’s artists, led by MCs like Lil Wayne, seem to embrace transforming themselves into rap-rock stars (we can hear it in the music, and see it in their swagger right down to their clothes and shoes). I just don’t recognize some of these cats as Hip-Hoppers anymore. In my day, MCs and street hustlers looked and sounded the same. Nowadays, youngin be on some other ‘ish. But, to be fair, I understand that it’s just a generational thing.
I think Jay-Z and Lil Wayne’s so-called conflict (if it actually exists) is evidence of the generation gap in Hip-Hop. Those of us well into our 30’s and older are rolling with Jay. Why? Because he’s really one of very few still standing in Hip-Hop in terms of our generation. He looks like us. He sounds like us. He thinks like us. He represents how we grew up; what we saw and what we did. Those who are under 30 are rolling with Lil Wayne because he seems to be the one leading (or following- take your pick) what’s hot on the streets nowadays in terms of style and swagger.
Now, there are plenty of Jay-Z fans under the age of 30 and plenty of Lil Wayne fans over the age of 30, and both of them have fans of different ethnicities and nationalities. But Lil Wayne’s typical fan is in a different place in his life than Jay’s typical fan. The typical Jay-Z fan has a different mindset than a typical Lil Wayne fan. The typical (or at least the most loyal) Jay-Z fan has lived Hip-Hop and listened to rap music for well over 20 years. He is Hip-Hop personified. But, the typical Lil Wayne fan is the future of the culture and have the passion, influence, expert use of technology and sheer strength in numbers to redefine the game.
That’s what we see happening right now. The youngins are changing the face of the game, which is why brothers like me don’t recognize it anymore. But like Tupac said, “I ain’t mad at cha”.
See, fans and critics alike want to turn Jay-z vs. Lil Wayne into a battle for Hip-Hop supremacy. “Who is the King of Hip-Hop?” That’s the question many think should be answered based on diss records and statements in interviews. But the bottom line is: Jay-Z and Lil Wayne are not even in the same league…
They want me to disappear, like it’s gon’ shift for them
They say that I’m in the way, they want me to sit for them
But what they admitting is, they ain’t got shit for him
And really the fact is, we not in the same bracket
Not in the same league, don’t shoot at the same baskets
Don’t pay the same taxes, hang with the same bitches
So how am I in the way?
What is it I’m missin’?
Nigga, I been missin’
Nigga I been gone…
Jay-Z
Already Home
When Watch the Throne came out and received so much buzz and critical acclaim, I told someone that today’s MCs must be really tired of Jay’s “old ass”! Of course, he’s not all that old to me because I’m in my mid 30’s, but my point is: I can see how the leaders of the new school like Lil Wayne might be irritated with Jay’s current standing in the rap game. He’s not on top like he was ten years ago in ’01, but he’s still very much relevant. His presence looms over both established and up-and-coming MCs who think it’s their time to shine.
I think some in the new school respect Jay-Z but just wishes he would go away…
Now, let me be clear: Lil Wayne is doing his thing. No one should sleep on that dude on a lyrical tip and he has a lot of room for growth. For example, I think he delivers lyrics that are full of wit but empty of insight. Does that last sentence seem contradictory? Here’s my point: Lil Wayne’s lyrics have that “rewind factor” but you rewind to admire his cleverness and not necessarily to absorb his profound perspective about success, struggle and hustle. Lil Wayne’s lyrics amuses more than it inspires. But that’s ok because his core fan base does not have the kind of “lofty lyrical expectations” (meaning: they don’t expect to hear the “blueprint for greatness” in his words) that Jay-Z’s core fan base demands. Lil Wayne lyrically delivers what his fans want; he just rarely gives them what they need.
(To be fair and to keep it real: Many critics have said the same thing about Jay-Z’s lyrics, which partly is what compelled me to launch this blog and write my book. I think that as Wayne grows lyrically- beyond clever punchlines-his fans’ growth will follow. Who knows- maybe one day someone will write a book about his lyrics.)
Lil Wayne will be very fortunate (and lucky) if he gets close to having the overall career that Jay-Z has had. Frankly, it’s very unlikely that anyone currently in the rap game will have a career comparable to Jay’s. Jay-Z’s run is a once in a generation or two…or three, kind of thing. He’s the “Michael” (“Take your pick: Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6”. Jay’s lyrics from Niggas in Paris) of the rap game and Lil Wayne is like Hip-Hop’s “LeBron James”-he’s the best in the game today but he’s still “ringless”, trying to win his first championship. He’ll eventually win 1, 2; maybe even 3- in a row! But as of right now, Wayne can’t be “mentioned in the same breath as him”.
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