High.Expectations

Magna.Carta.Holy.Grail

Jay-Z's 12th Studio Album

American-bred, New York- based, rapper, turned entrepreneur, turned hip-hop/music mogul, has released his highly anticipated work-of-art and man.... It's an earful to say the least.

Magna Carta Holy Grail Tracklist:

Holy Grail

Picasso Baby

Tom Ford

F*ck With Me You Know I Got It

Oceans

F.U.T.W

Somewhere In America

Crown

Heaven

Versus

Part II (On The Run)

Beach Is Better

BBC

Jay Z Blue

La Familia

Nickels and Dimes

These 16 songs make up the album which comes in at just under an hour in music. I listened to the album in  one straight sitting twice and some select songs three times. For how MCHG was promoted, (through commercials detailing its creation on TV, Youtube, interviews on radios), there was not much surprise. I feel as though Jay's fans and music aficionados everywhere knew just about what we were getting. 

No Surprise, Doesn't Mean Disappointment

There is something to be said about an artist who can deliver consistently. Jay is Jay on here, no curve-balls, no tricks, no new sounds or what-not. Recently in music, we have gotten work from artists and it seems to be "outside the box". I wouldn't say MCHG was out of character for Jay-Z but that adds to its novelty. 12 studio albums later, and this man still can slay the masses with his flow. #Respect

To Wrap This Up

The production on MCHG is crazy good. (Crown was co-produced by a 17 old girl!) We have Swizz, Pharell, Mike Will Made It, Hit-Boy,Travis Scott, Dean, Timbaland, and many more. For aspiring producers and musical engineers- this album is your textbook! The beats will solidify this album as possibly the best album of 2013 (I SAID IT). Not to downplay Jay's bars at all- these are honest, gritty, and witty as always. This will go down as one of the best album in the 2010's man. 

The collaborations match well; everyone who is featured on Jay's project has earned there spot and delivered on their part as well: Justin T, Rick Ross, Nas, etc. Without a doubt, this album will hopefully elevate how the public views hip hop especially of the New York-bred variety and I easily give this album 5/5. 

I was always a Jay-Z fan and I respect the dude for making a solid album that had a legit story: "I've made it, this is my mindset." 

          Read On It                                         Where It Started                      All Things Hip Hop    

* Favorite Song Is: F*ck With Me You Know I Got It

Be careful playing these songs in delicate neighborhoods and/or in cars with weak sound systems. This is bass-heavy album.  Try and see if you can catch all the artist, songs, and media that Jay-Z samples and alludes to throughout the album, you might be surprised at what you hear. :)