SOW: Lucifer by Jay-Z

February 20, 2004 | 5 Comments

The Artist: Jay-Z
The Song: Lucifer
The Album: The Black Album
Released 2003

I’ve been wanting to do a Jay-Z song for quite awhile now. The Black Album was one of my favorites from 2003.

I really thought long and hard about featuring a song off of The Grey Album, Danger Mouse’s amazing mixing of Jay-Z’s Black Album with The Beatles’ White Album, but I’m all about promoting music you can actually go buy and The Grey Album hasn’t actually been released. Oh, and I’ve also recently featured Danger Mouse.

Having said that, if you can somehow get a copy of The Grey Album — do it. It’s one of the most impressive works of music I’ve seen in awhile. I love his version of “99 Problems”, and “Encore” is just sick. Oh yeah…

The Grey Album’s only real problem is that it doesn’t have “Lucifer” on it. This week’s song is my favorite song off The Black Album on probably my favorite from Jay-Z, which is saying quite a bit because I tend to really like most of his work.

Jay-Z, to me, represents a very strange situation in hip-hop. He’s got the skills and rhyming talent that’s right up there with the best of them. His albums are always very well produced, his hooks tight and most songs are hits. But I’ve never really been able to fully respect his work as one of the best in hip-hop.

The thing is, up until the release of The Black Album he’s always felt like a bit of a sell-out to me. I’m not sure why. I mean I still bought his records and viewed his talent as one of the best in hip-hop, but for some reason he just seemed to be lacking something. Maybe it’s some of the cheesy lyrics he’s used on some of his bigger songs. I don’t know.

In any case, his latest work is great. It’s very honest, deep and deserving of respect. It’s like Jay has gotten to the point where he is big enough he doesn’t have anything else to prove so he’s decided to get a bit more real.

Give a listen to “Lucifer” — it’s a great track with an awesome hook and some killer beats. If you’re into it, get out and get The Black Album you won’t be disappointed.

Recommended if you like: Outkast, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, Common, Danger Mouse and Jemini

Filed under: Song of The Week

Comments

1. huphtur said:

keith, check out: Grey Tuesday.

Posted on February 20, 2004 12:37 PM | #

2. Scrivs said:

I really love the whole Album with the exception of the DJ Quik Production (forget the song title). I would have to say my fav on the album though is 99 Problems. I am hip-hop all the way, but you simply gotta “rock out” to that joint.

Been trying to get my hands on this Grey Album ever since I heard about it. Can’t wait till Tuesday…

The thing with Jay-Z is that he is the greatest business mind in the game. Too many diehards it is easy to say he is a sellout, but if you follow the progression of his albums you can really see a clear plan that he followed. Reasonable Doubt (his greatest) proved his worth in the game. Once the name got big, he made the “radio hits” cds. Then people started to say he left his roots so he made the Blueprint (2nd greatest) and reestablished that he knew hip-hop and he never left the game, just decided to make some bank. Then you get the black album, which is probably his 3rd greatest and a great sendoff. Although he isn’t the best lyricist (Em my hold that title for right now), he is one of the greats.

Another good one is his MTV unplugged.

Posted on February 20, 2004 12:54 PM | #

3. Matt said:

Lucifer is my favorite track of the Black Album as well. However, I have his Uplugged album and I can’t stand it. After Blueprint I think he wanted to get CDs out fast and milk the success and popularity of Blueprint. Unplugged has questionable recording quality, censored lyrics, abbreviated versions of several songs, and contrived arrangements. I really like the album at first, but for me it has soured with time.

Posted on February 20, 2004 01:49 PM | #

4. los said:

Hey, Scrivs, I love the whole album, too. 99 Problems is my favorite track as well.

I agree that you have to look at his entire body of work to really understand what he’s about. I think he’s not only the “Best Rapper Alive” as he proclaims on this disc, but the Best Rapper Ever. (I believe he adds the qualifier “alive” out of respect for his friend Biggie.) Jay-Z’s the /only/ rapper that could release a 3-disc “best of” collection that would contain nothing but heat. Nothing but heat– No filler.

Listen to his albums; compare him to what you’ve heard before and what’s out there now it should be clear that he’s a lyrical genius.

TIP OF THE DAY: 2nd and 3rd verse of “Peoples Court”

Posted on February 20, 2004 07:37 PM | #

5. Emily said:

Lucifer is my favorite song on the black album…. but i was wondering… does anyone know who sings in the back ground? the part that goes lucifer dawn of de morning im gonna chase you out of the earth. Thanks

Posted on February 16, 2005 03:30 PM | #