Jay-Z An American Icon

Tribute to Music Mogul and Rap Icon Sean "Jay-Z" Carter.

 Jay-Z An American Icon

Article Courtesy of Made Media WorldWide

1996 was the year that "Reasonable Doubt" changed the game, and "Sean Carter" aka "Jay-Z" made his mark. At a time when lyricism was being projected from every angle, Jay-Z gave us the trap from a kingpin's perspective. Reasonable Doubt filled the void in hip hop. Wu Tang had a strong buzz, Biggie & Pac were captured by the east coast/west coast beef, and Fat Joe was attempting to find his lane. Songs like "Friend Or Foe", "Can't Knock Da Hustle", & "Politics As Usual" gave Reasonable Doubt the edge. "Coming Of Age" featuring the then fresh face "Memphis Bleek" was a young hustla's anthem. Jay-Z had come into the game with tales of drug sells & trips down south, on top of his nonchalant wordplay. His cockiness won us over, because it told us that "Roc-A-Fella Records" front man had personally indulged in the streets. "The Life & Times Of Sean Carter Volume 1" sunk a deeper hook into our ears, as he rapped "Cough up ah lung, where I'm from/Marcy son". Jigga's catalog of hits was growing, and even though Volume 1 didn't receive the same accolades as Reasonable Doubt, it was still a certified banger!! "You Must Love Me" was a cinematic classic that made us all reevaluate our relationships. "The Streets Is Watching" created a new movement for the streets, because his vivid depiction of what was going on was in high definition. "If I kill you, I'm brainless/but If you kill me, you famous/what's ah n%gga to do."

"Hard Knock Life Volume 2" pushed Jay-Z's career to the next level, selling over 5 million units. Sean Carter had found the sound that the industry had been begging for. "Money, Cash, Hoes" featuring Dmx flooded the Mixtape circuit, while "It's a Hard Knock Life" hypnotized every rap fan in the United States. Winning a Grammy for his hood remix of Annie's famous song, Jigga began to muscle the industry with his R.O.C brand, and we were forced to love it! The ROC's roster was hardbody, and they weren't taking no shorts. Memphis Bleek had a surgical flow, Beanie Sigal was raw talent, and Amil made you want a sexy gangsta b#tch on your team. "Roc La Familia" put them all to a test, that they passed with flying colors!! The Dynasty collectively collaborated on a classic, and songs like "The Dynasty Intro", "R.O.C", & "1-900-Hustler" are still being talked about til this day.

 

Remember This JAY-Z Classic 

 

With all the hype around Roc-A-Fella Records, Jay-Z began to introduce us to his partners & long time friends Dame Dash & Biggs. Platinum albums had been dropped back to back, Roc-A-Wear had generated millions of dollars within its first 18 months, and it seemed as if "S Dot" couldn't do no wrong!! By the time Volume 3 was released, the hate was thick in the streets of New York. Sean Carter was being accused of hijacking someone else's lifestyle. Rapper "Jaz-O" attempted to expose Jay-Z, claiming that he had never been a kingpin. An underground battle ensued, and Jaz-O found himself on the receiving end of a ton of diss records. Jay-Z had never directly entertained anyone's accusations against him, nor did he ever come down off of the throne to battle rap. Hip hop was in need of a king, and even though Jigga had sold a ridiculous amount of albums, the industry was still partly crowning legendary rapper "Nas" king of New York. Too many subliminal verses were released from both rappers, and the indirect lines left fans to speculate who they were talking about. Coincidentally, in late 99' both rappers dropped a track titled "Come & Get Me," but neither one called the other out.

 

Where Are These Early JAY-Z Coliaborators?

 

Jay-Z changed the game in so many ways, tongue twisting on his hit single "Big Pimpin" featuring legendary rap duo "UGK". Marrying superstar songstress "Beyonce," Hova put a hush to all the haters. Dropping lines like "I got da baddest chick in the game rockin my chain!" You can't deny that Sean Carter has done it on a larger scale, surviving the breakup of Roc-A-Fella, Nas's murderous diss record "Ether," and a court case for allegedly stabbing a friend in a night club over an altercation.
Still, Jay-Z has continued to grow his now "Roc Nation" music company, on top of being part-owner of the "Brooklyn Nets." His list of accomplishments could on, but it's understood amongst the masses that Hova is a Pioneer that has outlasted the times

Comments 1

Imperialall
Imperialall 2 years ago
Blessed Born Day Jay!
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