I cite the albums "Reasonable Doubt", "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1" and "The Blueprint" as evidence of Shawn Carter's ability to seamlessly merge intellectual sophistication and inricate lyricism with basic pop sensibilities. In terms of making complex and intelligent hip-hop catchy and listenable, Jay-Z has few rivals. The depth of subject matter and complexity of metaphors to be found in Jay's earlier work and his resurgence in 2001 are certainly not to be trivialized with comparisons to inexplicably popular former NSYNC members.
And yes, Talib Kweli has contributed several strong tracks to the hip-hop canon over the past decade, but, to be fair, so have the likes of 50 Cent and The Game, who may have even less talent to squander than Talib. It's also worth mentioning that the far superior remix to "Get By", as well as "Definition" and indeed the rest of the Black Star album, featired other MCs who lifted the work above Talib's lackluster verbal dexterity.
Jay-Z is no Justin Timberlake.
I cite the albums "Reasonable Doubt", "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1" and "The Blueprint" as evidence of Shawn Carter's ability to seamlessly merge intellectual sophistication and inricate lyricism with basic pop sensibilities. In terms of making complex and intelligent hip-hop catchy and listenable, Jay-Z has few rivals. The depth of subject matter and complexity of metaphors to be found in Jay's earlier work and his resurgence in 2001 are certainly not to be trivialized with comparisons to inexplicably popular former NSYNC members.
And yes, Talib Kweli has contributed several strong tracks to the hip-hop canon over the past decade, but, to be fair, so have the likes of 50 Cent and The Game, who may have even less talent to squander than Talib. It's also worth mentioning that the far superior remix to "Get By", as well as "Definition" and indeed the rest of the Black Star album, featired other MCs who lifted the work above Talib's lackluster verbal dexterity.