American Gangster is lyrically better than any other Jay album or any Nas album

[mobbinfms]

I'm not saying that it's better, but that it's more consistent song to song and that in each aspect of rapping skill, Jay is clearly improved on it.

But you are saying AG has better rapping than RD right?

I don't hear it at all.
To me, Jay was as good as any rapper ever on RD, and he never came close to that level of rapping again. Definitely not AG.

 

[Piffery]

But you are saying AG has better rapping than RD right?

I don't hear it at all.
To me, Jay was as good as any rapper ever on RD, and he never came close to that level of rapping again. Definitely not AG.

Definitely, when's the last time you listened to both albums?

 

[mr. smoke weed]

I mean you weren't alive when Illmatic or RD came out so

 

[mobbinfms]

Definitely, when's the last time you listened to both albums?

It's been a long time since I played either in the car.

 

[Piffery]

It's been a long time since I played either in the car.

Okay, listen to them both side by side (whether that's one track on rd and then one track on AG or just the two albums in a row), and then listen to them again but read the lyrics that time, and see if it's comparable.

 

[MrPentatonic]

my favourite jay album

 

[NoHalfWay]

Another thing that throws people off is the difference in delivery of 90's Jay and Jay on American Gangster.

It's like Hov is spitting gems, but that whisper flow/whiny voice shyt he did on American Dreamin' is kinda wack.

 

[B-Mint94]

nas is my favorite rapper but I've always thought jay was a more complete rapper and has him beat when it comes to wordplay, metaphors, entendres

There are a lot of MC's who can out-wordplay/metaphor Nas. But they aren't as poetic, can't tell a story as well or come-up with some of the incredible concept tracks that Nas has.

 

[Piffery]

There are a lot of MC's who can out-wordplay/metaphor Nas. But they aren't as poetic, can't tell a story as well or come-up with some of the incredible concept tracks that Nas has.

That's part of poetry.
Jay Z is an incredible poet.

 

[B-Mint94]

That's part of poetry.
Jay Z is an incredible poet.

He used to be, but he hasn't been in full form since this album you're talking about. Nas has aged better as a rapper than he has if we're being honest.

 

[IllmaticDelta]

No, this album is peak Jay, and it shows exactly why Jay is a more intelligent rapper and a better poet than Nas, and many of the other rappers people try to put above him, none of that one toe in the water "I like Jay more and think he has better albums than Nas but Nas is a better rapper" garbage.

 

[mobbinfms]

Okay, listen to them both side by side (whether that's one track on rd and then one track on AG or just the two albums in a row), and then listen to them again but read the lyrics that time, and see if it's comparable.

I'm 36 breh. It would take me a week in the car to listen to both albums.

And I never read lyrics. That's not what hip hops about. If you're doing that you should stop. Hip hop isn't about reading off paper.

 

[Piffery]

I'm 36 breh. It would take me a week in the car to listen to both albums.

And I never read lyrics. That's not what hip hops about. If you're doing that you should stop. Hip hop isn't about reading off paper.

What's wrong with reading lyrics?
I didn't read the lyrics for American Gangster until over 30 listens in, that's why I said read it through your second time so it's not your first exposure to it.
It's helped clear up misconceptions to what I thought rappers were saying and helped my analysis.
It doesn't hurt anything imo.

 

[Music Fiend]

I have always said this. American gangster has so many layers and double/triple entendres it's crazy.

I think cats really just didn't give it a real chance. Sweet and American gangster (the song on the album) are mind blowing.

 

[Spree At Last]

Party life is a top 5 Jay song