Classic Hip-Hop 4 Record Runs: Jay Z vs. Boogie Down Productions

I recognize Jay-Z's talent, but haven't been able to get past his voice.

otm

1.) This is more of a generational battle, as many new schoolers would say Jay Z by a mile, and I'm kind of interested to hear why (though I have yet to in any detail so far)

2.) Though I think there are really only two "classics" in this fite, those being the first two BDP albums, Jay Z's 4-record-run, the run itself, I think is kind of classic, because there are very few hip hop acts out there who actually made a decent 4-in-a-row. I actually can't think of many hip hop act out there who have released three classics in a row, let alone four strong releases (ref: the other thread).

The first three PE albums are about as close as it gets with me, but lots of people would say that either Yo! Bum Rush The Show and/or Fear of a Black Planet aren't classic.

Good point, though.

this is the secret to jay-z's sucess - really he is only pretty good - shhhhh

Someone should release "please belive it" by Jay Z & 45 King.

Consider this:

Almost every act out there, across the music spectrum, is at this point copping the influences of yester-year in their sound. Hip-hop has has the most distinct anchor to it: rapping. It's really just not hip-hop without that qualifier. So, since the whole aesthetic has this grounding device, is it therefore more difficult to create a classic with it?

I'd flush this idea out more, but I'm at work and have to run for a bit...

Despite the continuous chant of "KRS-One is a genius" I am not interested in being lectured to by him, thanks.

Yeah I guess I am, but I think it's kind of true if you try to keep an open mind with music. There are some records my friends love that I just cannot get with. For example (and I know people will throw rocks at me for this) : The Pretty Toney album. I like Ghostface's other records and appearances, but on this one I think he comes off like a sloppy little sissy bitch, and I cannot understand how people can be throwing "classic status" all over it. That said, there are established classics, like Three Feet High and Rising, that I also really don't like all that much (not my kind of hip-hop), but when you listen to the record, you get that it's an amazing work for what it is, whether you like it or not.

I'm not even a huge Jay Z fan (I was about as late as they come to that one), but it does impress me that he's yet to drop a real failure in his catalog. For the number of releases, it's significant. Even the mighty Wu has dropped some duds, though I'd argue that that's because they spread themselves too thin, and let too many half-steppers claim their brand....