Jay-Z: The Black Album

“This here is the victory lap, and I’m leaving…” Jay-Z’s intentions are clear: this is it, over and out. Not because he’s tired, but because once you’ve reached the top, where next? The only way is, inevitably, down, and his albums since this haven’t been in the same league – each has its highlights, but consistency has been compromised for scattershot grandstanding. Not that recent history matters here: considered as the final chapter in the first book of Hova, The Black Album is an essential experience, quite probably the peak of the rapper’s continuing career. - 1note.co.uk