Sign Up / Log In

reply to thread

Thread Tools

roc-a-fella records, ranked

Started by WPG, May 11, 2015, in Music Add to Reading List

  1. WPG
    Posts: 11,861
    Likes: 22,506
    Joined: Feb 15, 2011

    WPG sxn80 Rory Gilmore

    May 11, 2015
    the hits on black album are super durable. so is december 4th. so is my 1st song. it's a GREAT album, a classic. but i disagree--i think american gangster is infinitely "listenable," inasmuch as i can't think of many albums that go for one sonic aesthetic (that minor '70s soul) and use it both so well and to so many different ends. roc boys and no hook feel like they're from the same recording session, but they're opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. it's the easiest listen in his catalog, to me, other than blueprint.

    i wouldn't be mad at you flipping those two. they're more or less interchangeable, as with most adjacent albums on here.
     
    #61
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  2. pluto✰
    Posts: 17,907
    Likes: 37,271
    Joined: Mar 14, 2011

    pluto✰ where the opioids?

    May 11, 2015
    glad you came around n-----

    the sequencing of the songs is nothing short of sporadic as far as quality is concerned (not including the skits)
     
    #62
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  3. Cornpop
    Posts: 613
    Likes: 677
    Joined: Apr 8, 2015

    Cornpop

    May 11, 2015
    swish finna go str8 to number 1
     
    #63
    1
    Narsh likes this.
    1
    Narsh likes this.
    May 2, 2025
  4. lil uzi vert stan
    Posts: 7,755
    Likes: 19,759
    Joined: Feb 15, 2011

    lil uzi vert stan

    May 11, 2015
    dunno feels like ur grossly overrating AG -- and i rly like the album. the writing for sure is one of the albums strengths, and i appreciate your love for the overall sound/vibe... but the effort can seem outright bland at times, particularly compared to something (admittedly pop) like black album.

    not sure im swallowing ur critical splooge regarding ag's miraculous highs (joyful?) and lows (darkness, sure).
     
    #64
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  5. WPG
    Posts: 11,861
    Likes: 22,506
    Joined: Feb 15, 2011

    WPG sxn80 Rory Gilmore

    May 11, 2015
    then maybe you should listen to the album again





     
    #65
    1
    Narsh likes this.
    1
    Narsh likes this.
    May 2, 2025
  6. Nav Bhatia
    Posts: 5,871
    Likes: 16,065
    Joined: Dec 2, 2014

    Nav Bhatia Bitch, be humble

    May 11, 2015
    stopped reading when i saw yeezus ahead of the black album :scust:
     
    #66
    4
    Michael Myers, what, Deadpool and 1 other person like this.
    4
    Michael Myers, what, Deadpool and 1 other person like this.
    May 2, 2025
  7. lil uzi vert stan
    Posts: 7,755
    Likes: 19,759
    Joined: Feb 15, 2011

    lil uzi vert stan

    May 11, 2015
    i have plenty its not about me not listening, lol.

    edit: thanks for playing!
     
    #67
    1
    Packman likes this.
    1
    Packman likes this.
    May 2, 2025
  8. Packman
    Posts: 6,972
    Likes: 10,735
    Joined: Nov 23, 2014

    Packman

    May 11, 2015
    I really, really like American Gangster, but I can't put it ahead of TBA.

    From beginning to end (that Biggie Intro on My 1st Song >>>) it's classic. Never had a problem with Justify my Thug either
     
    #68
    1
    SLAYAR likes this.
    1
    SLAYAR likes this.
    May 2, 2025
  9. ozy
    Posts: 1,016
    Likes: 1,098
    Joined: Dec 3, 2014

    ozy

    May 11, 2015
    Why The Blueprint ahead of Dark Fantasy though? Hola Hovito and Jigga That n----- are both REALLY mediocre to me, and that's being generous.
     
    #69
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  10. Mike02
    Posts: 4,905
    Likes: 4,949
    Joined: Jun 5, 2011

    Mike02

    May 11, 2015
    Memphis Bleek- The Understanding is an EXTREMELY underrated album. Should definitely be in their Top 5.
     
    #70
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  11. WPG
    Posts: 11,861
    Likes: 22,506
    Joined: Feb 15, 2011

    WPG sxn80 Rory Gilmore

    May 11, 2015
    so the title track is not sufficiently "joyful" for you hmm...what if i told you one of the recording engineers owns an snl boxset?
     
    #71
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  12. Packman
    Posts: 6,972
    Likes: 10,735
    Joined: Nov 23, 2014

    Packman

    May 11, 2015
    nope
     
    #72
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  13. Goku187
    Posts: 3,363
    Likes: 10,127
    Joined: Feb 15, 2011

    Goku187

    May 11, 2015
    I'm weirded out by this bc I thought @WPG ranked The Blueprint as like 3rd or 4th in Jay's discography (wasn't AG your #1??)

    The Blueprint is a brilliant, incredibly fun record. But does it match MBDTF? For me, certainly not. I will say, it's Jay at his funniest and most charismatic, but I think he has at least 1 or 2 better albums overall
     
    #73
    9
    CODEiNE DEMON, Joshua Smoses, Narsh and 6 others like this.
    9
    CODEiNE DEMON, Joshua Smoses, Narsh and 6 others like this.
    May 2, 2025
  14. Fire Squad
    Posts: 7,551
    Likes: 21,039
    Joined: Dec 23, 2014

    Fire Squad Boss Don Biggavel

    May 11, 2015
    Strange as it sounds I'd actually hope Jay links up with Puff again and finds an excuse to dive in back to his comfort zone with the drug-dealer content, that's what made American Gangster feel very organic...Here's another question but how would you rank Jay's work from the time period after RD & before The Blueprint @WPG ? For me: Vol.2>Vol.3>Dynasty>Vol.1
     
    #74
    1
    CODEiNE DEMON likes this.
    1
    CODEiNE DEMON likes this.
    May 2, 2025
  15. Vahn
    Posts: 3,381
    Likes: 4,781
    Joined: Feb 15, 2011

    Vahn butterfly jewels beauty

    May 12, 2015
    American Gangster is Jay's best if were being honest.
     
    #75
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  16. RaidsBeats
    Posts: 33
    Likes: 17
    Joined: May 11, 2015
    Location: Herts

    RaidsBeats

    May 12, 2015
    Can you imagine how different the early 2000's woulda been if Nas was on RD tho, The biggest rap beef woulda been Nelly and Chingy :wow:
     
    #76
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  17. Jakey
    Posts: 11,334
    Likes: 29,532
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015

    Jakey You Reckon

    May 12, 2015
    The greatest record label in the world!

    MBDTF would have to be my favourite, boring answer but it deserves imo.
     
    #77
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  18. lil uzi vert stan
    Posts: 7,755
    Likes: 19,759
    Joined: Feb 15, 2011

    lil uzi vert stan

    May 12, 2015
    Not sure what sorta shade you were going for here, but I don't like it. Rap's donald hall ladies and gentlemen
     
    #78
    0 0
    May 2, 2025
  19. what
    Posts: 1,118
    Likes: 1,712
    Joined: Aug 7, 2011

    what .

    May 12, 2015
    Jay Z is such a f---ing legend
     
    #79
    3
    Michael Myers, Nav Bhatia and PRHYME like this.
    3
    Michael Myers, Nav Bhatia and PRHYME like this.
    May 2, 2025
  20. wavey
    Posts: 669
    Likes: 441
    Joined: Nov 28, 2014

    wavey tiny pants goon

    May 12, 2015
    where amil?
     
    #80
    0 0
    May 2, 2025