JAY-Z Turns 50: A Look Back At Our Favorite Jams

by Wes Pendleton December 04, 2019 4 Comments

It's hard to believe that Jay is 50 years old. As the resident old-head of the group, I've been a witness to his entire career since the beginning. I can honestly admit that neither myself or any of my friends saw this amazing career coming after hearing Reasonable Doubt for the first time. But after building a discography full of platinum, number one records, and giving generously back to the community through philanthropic initiatives, it's only right that we give this man his flowers. With that being said, mad birthday salutations from the team! We figured it was only right to share our favorite tracks with you guys. Not gonna lie... This was tough for us to choose just one....

 

Wes • Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love)

 

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John • Legacy

To celebrate the 50th birthday of one of the most impactful artists and businessmen of our time, I go through the vast discography of Sean “JAY-Z” Carter, overwhelmed by the albums upon albums of classic songs making it very hard to pick one favorite, so instead I’ll go with what has inspired me most up unto this point. The last track of his last album to date, “Legacy” off of 4:44. To me it is a very fitting culmination of all Jay Z has grown to be in his career and from which philosophy he makes current moves from. The whole album for one is a rap and producer clinic from JAY-Z and the equally as seasoned No I.D. This song samples the great Donnie Hathaway’s Someday We’ll All Be Free, and the result is a soulful, uplifting yet lamenting and introspective lesson that an OG is handing down to the younger generation. I love it so much because it transcends just being a good song for me and is actually really good advice from someone who is qualified to give it.

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Zari • Hard Knock Life Vol. 2

If you can select one song out of Jay’s discography, I gotta give it up to you. I’ve been a big fan of Mr. S. Carter since “Reasonable Doubt” which I still go back and play. As much as I love albums like “The Black Album”, “The Blue Print”, “In My Life Time Vol. 1”, “The Dynasty: Roc La Familia”, etc. It is immensely challenging for me to select one song out of the many! I can’t give you one so I’ll give you an album...and that’s “Hard Knock Life Vol. 2” with Reasonable Doubt coming in at a very close second. That era of Hip Hop just brings back a sense of nostalgia for me.

 

Smythe • D'evils

D’Evils is probably my favorite track by Jay-Z.  Primo laced the beat, and the scratches on the hook are infectious and set the tone beautifully.  Jay is in rare form, kicking knowledge about the pure evil that is inside of those who live a life of crime.  One bar that has stayed with me since I first heard the song is at the top of the second verse. “We used to fight for building blocks, now we fight for blocks with buildings that make a killing”.

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