How did Jay-Z improve so much as a rapper between 95 and 96?

[The Jewnited States]

Was listening to Big L's Lifestylez album just now and I realized how trash Jay-Z's verse was. His style was VASTLY different from his style on RD which came out just one year later. Seriously a night and day difference in his voice, flow, slowing down his cadance etc just not even in the same ball park, it's hard to believe it's the same dude rapping. Was the verse on L's album actually recorded before 95? Someone school me on this




vs

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Illuminati

 

[SouljaVoy]

Jaz-O

 

[NYChase718]

Wasnt big l making that debut album since 1991 or 1992
so maybe it was an old verse from jay z in 92 or 93 before the album was complete

 

[SnowflakesByTheOZ]

Using the word "improve" is tricky, it's not like he wasn't lyrically adept when he was using the rippity rappity double time flow. He just changed his style up, it's natural for an artist to explore new cadences and sonics. There are still remnants of his previous style through RD though. shyt, on Can't Knock the Hustle and 22 Twos he was using that same quick flow. It's a weird question you ask but I guess it's just artist transition.

 

[FreshAIG]

He didn’t. By 1994 Jay was in his super lyrical bag. Go listen to Broken English and Understand Me and Reach The Top and Show and Prove etc, If It’s On with Cash Money Click, or the joint with Mic G.

 

[mobbinfms]

Before that...he was rapping like

 

[I love Latina women]

Before that...he was rapping like

^This^

 

[The God Poster]

Jaz-O

random but if they ever do a movie.....buddy from empire could play Jay.

 

[Columbo]

The style of rap changed and Jay-Z was able to adapt and find success in the new era, he switched his demeanor.

I believe 95 and 96 was when producers started making their beats differently too, one of the beat machine experts would kniw alot more about that then i know

He was outshined by alotta rappers in the early and mid 90s, but some of them fell off and werent able to adapt their styles.

Its crazy to think that Big Daddy Kane and Jay-Z are about the same age, not saying Kane fell off with his skills, he fell off in terms of his mainstream appeal.

 

[FreshAIG]

Before that...he was rapping like

"I mastered the fast shyt, and then I moved on
Cause too many b*stards be trying to get they groove on
And now you see Jiggy, you're puzzled
He ain't selling no records is he? That nikka gotta hustle" - Hova the God

 

[UpAndComing]

Before that...he was rapping like

Just about to post this. Jay was listening to Illmatic like

 

[Cloud McFly]

Never understood the Illmatic theory, as Reasonable Doubt sounds nothing like it

 

[Black_Panther_JS]

Ghostwriters

 

[No1]

Never understood the Illmatic theory, as Reasonable Doubt sounds nothing like it

Jay Z and Nas rap nothing alike.