Ten years are a mighty long time for an album to age. In the ever-changing landscape found in the musical realm, a once celebrated full-length project can become outdated and find its way into bargain bins all across the country. The alternative scenario fares a little better—when an album flies under the radar only to be appreciated down the line, keeping an artist on the road and in the memory of many.
With twelve solo albums under his Gucci belt, Jay Z has been privy to both ends of the game plus a little more. He’s crafted (several) albums that managed to stand up to Father Time with a Brooklyn grin.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of his eighth LP, The Black Album, originally released November 14, 2003. Although it was billed as a retirement party, the inevitable lie didn’t mar the significance of its creation. It was an event.
From the mystique surrounding the album’s title to the mixtape that built up anticipation, the project had a watershed moment type of aura. Then there was the star-studded Madison Square Garden concert which compounded the fact that this was history in the making.
It may not have been as polished as The Blueprint or lyrically as sharp as Reasonable Doubt, but The Black Album lived up to its cultural significance. Here’s why, on the following pages.
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Photo: Roc Nation
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Bowing Out Gracefully Made Way Too Cool
At the height of his career, there was no logical reason for Shawn Carter to call it quits. Unless you consider building anticipation for ending “the worst retirement in history.” The lousy hiatus still inspired his peers. (Big name artists to boot.) 50 Cent was vocal in the detailing his alleged final album in what was his rookie season, Eminem would go on to vanish for five years in between projects and Lupe Fiasco had an exit plan before his 2006 debut, Food & Liquor was even released.
Hip-Hop’s “Grown & Sexy” Makeover
It may have taken fans a minute to fully appreciate but lead single, “Change Clothes” was bigger than the music. Jay slyly forcing rap culture to grow up with “button-up’s and crisp jeans,” backed by a short-lived S. Carter Collection offset of his Roc-A-Wear clothing brand. The trend was reinforced by the song’s laid-back vibe which commanded a calmer presence on dance floors worldwide. It worked. As for that 2009 murder attempt on Auto-Tune’s life? The verdict is still out.
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We Invented The Remix?
Everyone had to have a piece of Jay’s “last” album. And the congregation of producers at the time devised the perfect scheme. The remix projects for The Black Album took on a life on their own with Danger Mouse’s The Grey Album gaining the most traction. Constructed with one part Black Album, one part samples from The Beatles’ White Album, The Beatles’ label subsequently made a big fuss over the release, fueling Mr. Mouse’s popularity. He went on to form the platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning group, Gnarls Barkley. Good job EMI!
Point Out The Bounce
Great success in the music industry is usually followed by a string of copycats, anxious to piggyback off the wave with hopes of raking in any leftover attention. Jay-Z never officially released 2002’s “The Bounce” as a single, a wrong he made right when he unveiled “Dirt of Your Shoulder” to the radio after “Change Clothes” wrinkled out. The feverish Timbaland-produced melody mixed with a memorable chorus (complete with instructions) put a bounce record back on everyone’s radar. It’s arguable that Mobb Deep’s “Shorty Wop,” LL Cool J’s “Headsprung” and Cee-Lo’s “I’ll Be Around” were all inspired by it. Sometimes you have to follow the leader.
9th Wonder
The Black Album featured no guest rappers but did showcase an all-star ensemble of producers. Albeit he was relatively unknown in the mainstream at the time, a simple R. Kelly sample would forever change Patrick “9th Wonder” Douthit’s life forever. With the increasing lengths technology could take Hip-Hop sound, there was still a yearning for the more traditional vibe; a feel that 9th brought naturally with his production techniques. After scoring “Threat,” the North Carolina Dukie went on to collab with A-listers such as Mary J. Blige and Destiny’s Child. Sadly for his preexisting fans, he also left his group, Little Brother not too long after too.
A DJ’s Wet Dream
Shrinks have a panic room. Pilots have parachutes. Ever since 2003, Hip-Hop DJs have had an emergency copout in the form of a MP3 named “Public Service Announcement (Interlude).” The opening chant of “Allow me to reintroduce myself…my name is HOV” is all it takes to get a party back on the track. The song is such a classic it was never officially released as a single and fans know every word. Next time you see a DJ drowning and they spin the record, don’t be mad. It’s all in the game.
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Welcome To The South
A land without a leader opens up the floodgates for anarchy and chaos. And with Hip-Hop devoid of its biggest name due to his own accord, the throne was ripe for the taking. The South had their general spokesmen in Outkast and U.G.K. but now it was time for a new world order of disorder. With the addition of the term “crunk,” Lil Jon and Yung Joc’s consequential albums went platinum, while albums from the likes of David Banner, Trick Daddy and D4L went gold. By the time S. Dot scrambled back to the game in late 2006, ringtone rappers and some guy named Lil Wayne had firmly planted their flags with no signs of moving aside.
Photo: Mikamote
I Made It A Hot Line, You Made It A Hot Song
Where as the producers were having the grandest time with those a capellas, rappers got crafty and decided to invoke the spirit of Jay in their own way. Swizz Beatz protégé battled the sophomore slump with his platinum single, “I’m A Hustla” stemming from Jay-Z’s “Dirt off Your Shoulder.” Likewise, T.I. used Jay’s vocals to his chart placement’s advantage on “Bring ‘Em Out,” which borrowed a line off “What More Can I Say.” The Clipse made waves in the street with their “Where You Been” and even frenemy Beanie Sigel tried to get in on the action with “All the Above,” but his joint was wack.
Rick Rubin’s Return To Rap
Although his appearance screams recluse, Rick Rubin never strayed away from producing albums. He was just removed from the Hip-Hop scene. After parting ways with Def Jam Records in 1988–the label he founded–he embraced his rock roots with intense fury, recording with the likes of System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine and Johnny Cash. From seemingly out nowhere, TBA’s track #9 saw Jay finding a way to combine the best of both worlds (for real, this time) to create one of his greatest hits.
Forgiveness Is For Real Men
On 2000’s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, Beanie Sigel and Jay unleashed a scathing record directed at their fathers, respectively. Jigga had always hinted at the disdain towards his pops but this was definitely a “wit’s end” moment. The subject matter on “Where Have You Been” reflected the reality for thousands of African-Americans who grew up without a male figure in their home. As the years leading up to The Black Album rolled by, the two reconciled but it wasn’t meant to be. Adnes Reeves passed away before the release of his son’s alleged swan song. Instead of harboring the hate, he used the opportunity as means for catharsis. It was the dawning of a man who would go on to be a husband, father and provider for his family.
And that’s 10 Reasons how The Black Album Changed Game.
