i always see people saying diffrent things about this so i thought i'd ask the question


If skills sold, truth be told, I'd probably be lyrically, Talib Kweli
Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense
But I did five mill' - I ain't been rhymin like Common since


we're you angry that he dumbed down his music for money, happy that he was speaking the truth or just not phase you at all ?

thats one of my favorite lines from jay
imo im just happy hes speaking the truth

As a Jay Z fan i felt like it was dope that he was acknowledging that he wasnt the best in every aspect. He was saying he was dope in other ways, but not in the ways that Kweli is of lyrics or Commons rhyming ability.

I gained much respect for Jay Z when i heard it.

it saddened me, because it applies to so many rappers

I was glad he acknowledged skill.

I liked that he stated his stance on being business first, in a way that seemed like he retained some credibility in it... but what was great about it, was shouting out Kweli and Common to a fan base that might never have heard of, or even acknowledged them.

Jay opening Def Jam Left, as a way for artists to be more... creative but still have major label backing - by creating a contract system that isn't under so much pressure to see returns - he deserves credit for that.

...and also, I think he gets little recognition for being an artist big enough to force his backers to put money into the ridiculously inflated cost of sample prices... Blueprint as both a throwback homage, and a redirection of the game, brought sampling back after a long, sad era of Mannie Fresh and Swizz Beats keyboard-only clones. Now your label won't refuse to front the bill on a hot sample clearance. When someone legally clears the Star Wars theme song... thank Jigga.

...it's like a ripple in the pond, but I think Jay-Z's tried to give back a little, or has from his position. Doesn't seem like he forgot COMPLETELY where he came from, and the shit that came before him as far removed from traditional hip-hop as he's become.

what song is this?

what song is this?

Moment of Clarity, off The Black Album

He's just keepin it real, so even though I don't like Jay-Z, I gots to respect him for that line
because when you get in the rap game u got to decide whats more important to u: Money or respect
& he chose money now he's rich as fuck

All the underground rappers they be strugglin' (even though they're tight) & never have money cuz they prefer respect

i think that line is nice...but it's false. Jay CAN rhyme like talib kweli or whatever. he's shown he's able to reach the masses and kick that real shit (like he did with Song Cry, deep song and was a hit)

so maybe he doesn't know that he's capable..but he is. He can go on some Common shit, and will go gold his first week. I can understand why he dumbed it down for those Vol albums...but he has his fanbase...he can do whatever the fuck he wants now. so he can't blame it on that anymore.

no no your camron is better!!

the problem is he went and released King Come which was REALLY shitty... at the time he was still on some dope shit.

All the underground rappers they be strugglin' (even though they're tight) & never have money cuz they prefer respect

I don't know how that's true. Groups/MCs like Atmosphere, Jedi mind Tricks, Necro, MF DOOM, Madlib and a lot of others make good money whilst not compromising their music. There is a difference in making enough money to live and still have a decent ammount of luxury, than being incredibly greedy, materialistic and being rich through exploiting art, and the expoloiting the masses of robots who eat the shit up.

really if you a Jigga fan it wasnt nothin that new.. i just thought it was dope he gave props to sum real Mc's..

no no your camron is better!!

ayo, first off b, suck a dick no homo

2nd, of course he's better nigga ... youd be a clown not to acknowledge that fact ... Jay's 40 years old, i don't respect my elders ...

"now get my pool in the back ....... dickhead"

i liked that line and its the truth cuz if you got idiots listenin to shit like crank dat super man you shouldn't have to come with common senseto get their attention

Was just listening to that song.
No. It was good, i liked it, not many rappers can admit shit like that:

"I dumbed down for my audience and doubled my dollars
They criticize me for it yet they all yell Holla"