In a genre often preoccupied with youth culture, an album exploring the trials of adult relationships and responsibilities is like a breath of fresh air. That goes double when it’s the work of a veteran producer and a legendary emcee. We’re celebrating their excellence with this, an in-depth exploration of No I.D.’s incredible production work on Jay’s most mature record. … [Read more...] about Dissecting No I.D.’s Production Masterclass on “4:44”
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Dissecting Jay-Z’s Forgotten Classic Album “Vol 2… Hard Knock Life” [20th Anniversary]
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Today marks 20 years since the release of Jay-Z's third studio album, Vol 2... Hard Knock Life. While the album's legacy is often overlooked in favor of other Jay classics, Hard Knock Life still remains Jay's commercial peak to this day, and represents the beginning of hip hop's invasion of the mainstream. On Pusha T’s 2018 highlight, “Infrared,” he muses about the … [Read more...] about Dissecting Jay-Z’s Forgotten Classic Album “Vol 2… Hard Knock Life” [20th Anniversary]
The Numbers Behind Nas and Jay-Z’s Iconic Beef: “Ether” vs “Takeover”
The “Nas vs. Jay-Z” beef is now a legendary entry into the lexicon of hip-hop history. The beef is so permanently iconic that when the two artists both drop new projects (EVERYTHINGISLOVE and Nasir) on the same weekend seventeen years later, the rap world explodes with speculation that their feud is still alive and well. The beef between two of New York's finest simmered … [Read more...] about The Numbers Behind Nas and Jay-Z’s Iconic Beef: “Ether” vs “Takeover”
Gangsta Rap is Dead – and Your Favorite Rapper Has Blood on Their Hands
Imagine if Drake released his record-breaking album Scorpion in 1988, the year Straight Outta Compton hit the airwaves. Not only would the music would seem totally out of place, but he’d be straight up laughed out of the room. Now let’s flip the picture: imagine a young group of artists releasing Straight Outta Compton in today’s music scene. Not only would the music seem … [Read more...] about Gangsta Rap is Dead – and Your Favorite Rapper Has Blood on Their Hands
Watch The Throne 2: Kanye Seeks Self-Awareness, Jay-Z Embraces Family
New statistical analysis from KSG and EIL gives insight into the rumblings of a potential reunion between Jay and Ye for Watch The Throne 2. Numbers don't lie: never before have Jay-Z and Kanye's music been further apart. The two artists have both grown and matured since their classic collab album, but the data shows that their evolution has followed very different … [Read more...] about Watch The Throne 2: Kanye Seeks Self-Awareness, Jay-Z Embraces Family
We Did the Math: Pusha T is Hip Hop’s “King Pusher”
Drugs have always been a prominent topic in hip hop, but few artists match the lyrical ‘dope density’ of Pusha T - particularly when it comes to crack/cocaine. Drugs references are dominant throughout Pusha T’s discography, so much so that he's earned the nickname 'King Push'. This begs the question: is Pusha T truly the ‘King Pusher’ of all hip hop? In an industry … [Read more...] about We Did the Math: Pusha T is Hip Hop’s “King Pusher”
Jay Z and Beyoncé: Hova’s Lyrical Evolution into Mr. Family Man
Beyoncé has served as a muse and source of inspiration for Jay Z for over 20 years - and Jay's music has come a long way in that time. In this analysis, Ben Carter digs deep into the data to analyze Jay Z's references of Queen B throughout his entire discography. How have Hova's lyrical portrayals of his eventual wife changed throughout the years? Tracking Jay Z's … [Read more...] about Jay Z and Beyoncé: Hova’s Lyrical Evolution into Mr. Family Man
Quantified: Kanye West’s Production Brings Extraordinary Success to other Artists
Have you ever day dreamed about what it'd be like to work with Kanye West in the studio? In this edition of By the Numbers, contributor Ben Carter digs deep into the data to measure the commercial impact of having authentic Yeezy production on your music. Does Kanye West have the Touch of Gold? 2018 is shaping up to be “The Year of Kanye”. Yeezy season is coinciding with … [Read more...] about Quantified: Kanye West’s Production Brings Extraordinary Success to other Artists
