Quicklet on The Best Jay-Z Songs: Lyrics and Analysis

Book excerpt: ABOUT THE BOOK For Shawn Carter, there is a no more fitting moniker than his self-given The Hustler. The artist known as Jay-Z released his first solo album in 1996, and proceeded to release a new one every single subsequent year until 2003; when he released The Black Album, his supposedly final record. However, three years later he was at it again. To release eight albums in as many years takes a hustlers ambition indeed. That is why Jay-Z sits on the throne of todays hip-hop world. He has worked hard to get there. He has done it all: hit songs, classic albums, clothing lines, fragrances, shoe deals, a book, nightclubs, champagne, and a cosmetics line. MEET THE AUTHOR Acamea Deadwiler is a freelance writer that has been featured in several publications, and also a columnist with Examiner.com. She is a lover of all things art, entertainment and sports. Currently residing in Nevada, Acamea is completing a Masters Degree in Sports Administration at Valparaiso University. You may follow her on Twitter @acameald. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK Classic, classic, classic. Written three times for emphasis, Reasonable Doubt, is a classic hip-hop album. Easily one of the top five releases in the genres history. Jay-Z is at his ultimate creative, lyrical, maniacal, original, storytelling, conscious, and subtle best. His flow, even on the more radio-friendly tracks, is impeccable. On this album, he is a poet and a renaissance man. This is the artist, in every sense of the word, that original fans know and love. On "Song Cry": The artist admits his pain. The result of a failed relationship, and a love lost. However, he also admits his flaws. Flaws that ultimately led to the hurt he now feels. Jay-Z fully understands why his girl no longer wants him. His wounds are self-inflicted, but that does not make them any less agonizing. So, he attempts to heal in the best way that he knows how; by bleeding all over this track. CHAPTER OUTLINE Quicklet on the Best Jay-Z Songs: Lyrics and Analysis + Introduction + Jay-Z: Selected Lyrics + Fun Facts + Sources/Links The Best Jay-Z Songs: Lyrics and Analysis