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New York, 1:53 PM
Tue Dec 8
56 posts in the last 24 hours

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11/13/09
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11/08/09
Jay-Z is frat-boy rap. Sinatra is frat boy crooning. #jayz
11/08/09
Sinatra nailed "New York, New York" in his latter years despite his age (64) and that the song wasn't originally written for him (Liza Minnelli). Would anyone wants to hear Jay-Z perform this song in his 60s, or hear someone else try it?
It might be cliché these days, but "New York, New York" has proven it's staying power. The jury's still out on "Empire State of Mind." #jayz
11/08/09
11/08/09
Also, have to say it: Zeke Turner was way ahead of the curve on this last week: [www.mediaite.com]
But it's still a pretty great hook. #jayz
11/08/09
11/07/09
11/07/09
Jay-Z is still bragging about turning nice girls into whores. I'm feeling mightily over praising guys like this merely for their massive success. Ultimately not my thing I guess. #jayz
11/08/09
Wow, who knew I could comment without signing up?
Just wanted to state for the record that Jay was not "bragging" about corrupting nice girls. Listen to the song more carefully, and you'll hear he was illustrating the flip-side of NYC's hypnotic nature. They come for education, stay for the glamor, and end up far different (and presumably worse-off) people.
That said, I agree that while Keys often grates, there's an undeniable beauty in her theatrical vocals on the hook. #jayz
11/08/09
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11/07/09
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11/07/09
11/07/09
Oh, and Ty-Ty is his childhood friend. #jayz
11/08/09
11/07/09
It's called Empire State of Mind because Nas (onetime-inspiration-turned-nemesis-turned-buddy) recorded NY state of Mind (after Billy of course) for his classic Illmatic album many moons ago and if you really wanted to do a direct comparison, this is the track you'd want to dissect as there are a number of similarities. There were rumors Nas was supposed to appear on the track.
Beanie Sigel was once Jay-Zs protege and when Jay signed his latest deal he had to leave him and the rest of his old roster back at Def Jam. Of course Beanie feel neglected/slighted so he gotta take it to his former mentor/boss. But he's not the only rapper who's got beef, Game from the west coast has thrown a number of lyrical jabs at him.
50 Cent is probably the biggest threat Jay is facing (ironically he was mentor/boss to Game with whom he shares a running beef as well). 50 has the money and the name and the smarts but not the clout. Few outside of rap could give a rats ass about him aside from he beefed with Kanye (publicity stunt) to sell some records.
Aside from these asides, very good assessment. #jayz
11/07/09
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11/07/09
I couldn't give a toss which song would be the new anthem but the true test is time. As I see it, Sinatra and Joel (the only time I will probably ever say anything nice about him) have classics which evoke a lot of emotion. Adams - not so much. Jay-Z - for the next fifteen minutes or so. #jayz
11/09/09
11/07/09
IOW: The Jay-Z thing might play better with natives, but the city's economy and its place among capitals relies a great deal on convincing folks to move to town.
Plus, there's a lot of chest-thumping.