Grade:
C
When it was first announced that Jay would be dropping a new album on Independence Day through Samsung, I think the world was ready to come to a screeching halt. I mean we haven't heard a solo Jay-Z album in years. But, since it's release on the 4th of July, the reactions to Magna Carta... Holy Grail have varied. I can sum this album up with a statement I heard someone say about Jay on MTV years ago: Even on his worse day, he's still better than half these other rappers out here.
Magna Carta... Holy Grail features production from Timbaland, Swizz Beats, Pharrell, Hit-Boy and Boi-1da and appearances from Nas, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce. In my humble opinion, the album rests more on the producers shoulders than on the lyricism that Jay-Z is known for. One track where Jay doesn't get out shined by the production is on the title track featuring Justin Timberlake, "Holy Grail". This is probably one of the most sonically pleasing tracks on the album, Justin smashes the hook and while Jay is able to deliver his classic reflective lyrics and manages to not get left behind with this track. Next on "Picasso Baby", Jay treats fans to another classic Jay-Z/Timbaland collaboration that sounds reminiscent of Life and Times of S. Carter Vol. 3. "Somewhere in America" produced by Hit-Boy is a track that shows both Jay and Hit-Boy at their finest. A song that might sound slightly out of place on this album but still may be one of the more memorable songs is "BBC" featuring Nas produced by Timbaland and Pharrell. Another high point on the album comes with "Jay-Z Blue" where you start to see little glimpses into Jay-Z's "daddy issues" and how it not only affects his confidence as a father but his marriage. That type of transparency is refreshing coming from Jay who is normally pretty tight lipped about his private life.
Overall, Magna Carta... Holy Grail is solid. Listening to this album it becomes profoundly apparent the "old" Jay-Z is gone. His latest effort is reflective of where he is in life at this point; he's achieved the type of success most people fantasize about while dealing with the pitfalls that come with that success. But again, at some points during this album, Jay gets outdone by the production; especially on tracks when it sounds like he's trying to emulate the sound and flows that dominate current radio hits as oppose to staying in his lane. I encourage people to listen to this album on their own; I may be a little bias because I prefer the "old" Jay-Z compared to this new "I'm in my 40s trying to stay relevant with people half my age" Jay-Z. Some of the songs sounded better upon a second listen and may grow on me after a while after the hype around it dies down. But for now, I'm underwhelmed by Magna Carta... But again I say, listen to it and judge for yourself.
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