DAMN vs. 4:44

[Inspect Her Deck]

It's hard to when he's constantly compared to lyrical tyrants.

K Dot can spit but he's outclassed on this. And I thought Hov was on the verge of being washed after MCHG outside of his features. But Drug Dealer's Anonymous, Seen It All on Jeezy's album, and the We Made It freestyle verse were signs that he was still godly. He finally combined the slick hustler talk with his black awareness on 4:44

nikkas don't like to give my dude his props, but Rick Ross' Rather You Than Me is just as if not more lyrical than DAMN as well.

They evoke lyricism in different ways, but there's no doubt Jay-Z is a better lyricist.

Anyway what I love most about Kendrick is he puts real effort into making his album a complete listening experience i.e. it is an actual ALBUM. Too many rappers today just compile a bunch of random hits in no order and pass it off as an album or half assed mixtape. Kendrick is old school in the way he approaches making an actual cohesive project.

I don't think he's a tier 1 lyricist but he doesn't need to be. He's a great songwriter and makes great music.

 

[GeeEffKay]

DAMN is something i havent stopped laying since it dropped. Jay made a very solid album but i dont see myself going back to it like i am with damn.

 

[Amestafuu (Emeritus)]

DAMN is way more well rounded sonically from a production standpoint.

Hov is just miles better than Kendrick as an mc. His presence alone lifts up songs that would otherwise be average if we switched the two.

I'm pretty sure there was no effort to make "bangers" for 4:44

Jay is the focal point and it's produced as such. 4:44 always leaves me with something new after a listen. Haven't felt that about a rap album in ages.

 

[who killin it?]

still bumping DAMN now

might only return to Smile, OJ, 4:44 and Marcy Me on Jay's joint.

 

[NoHalfWay]

They evoke lyricism in different ways, but there's no doubt Jay-Z is a better lyricist.

Anyway what I love most about Kendrick is he puts real effort into making his album a complete listening experience i.e. it is an actual ALBUM. Too many rappers today just compile a bunch of random hits in no order and pass it off as an album or half assed mixtape. Kendrick is old school in the way he approaches making an actual cohesive project.

I don't think he's a tier 1 lyricist but he doesn't need to be. He's a great songwriter and makes great music.

The final product is always Kendrick's biggest priority, he deserves some respect automatically just off that cuz he actually is trying to put the best product out. Among his peers (Cole, Drake, Wale, Meek, Logic, etc.) he is clearly the best at it.

But there's LEVELS to this shyt

 

[NoHalfWay]

I'm pretty sure there was no effort to make "bangers" for 4:44

Jay is the focal point and it's produced as such. 4:44 always leaves me with something new after a listen. Haven't felt that about a rap album in ages.

He kept the production in check, none of the beats distract from his rapping. It ain't even mixed perfectly but it works

The jewels being dropped are the focal point. And the bars are divine, this is prime Jay level lyricism on 4:44

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

The final product is always Kendrick's biggest priority, he deserves some respect automatically just off that cuz he actually is trying to put the best product out. Among his peers (Cole, Drake, Wale, Meek, Logic, etc.) he is clearly the best at it.

But there's LEVELS to this shyt

I would agree if Jay was consistently great at making albums. Granted this is only Kendrick's 4th studio LP compared to 13 for HOV, but in the battle of consistency, Kendrick has it so far. And this is classic level material at that. We'll see how long Kendrick keeps this up for, but HOV won't be remembered for a stellar discography. It has plenty of mishaps.

I really do think Kendrick can enter that GOAT convo. Once you enter it, levels cease to exist. You can make a case for anyone within the conversation depending on the parameters you prioritise.

Except Ice Cube. That guy is on another level.

 

[GreenGhxst]

DAMN, sonically and rap wise it was way more pleasing to the ear, and some of his songs really hit close to home

4:44 was good too, but DAMN has better production and more shyt I can relate too

Don't get me wrong Jay's album was dope, but Kendrick's was better

Pride

Fear

DNA

Feel

 

[L@CaT]

DAMN, sonically and rap wise it was way more pleasing to the ear, and some of his songs really hit close to home

4:44 was good too, but DAMN has better production and more shyt I can relate too

Don't get me wrong Jay's album was dope, but Kendrick's was better

Pride

Fear

DNA

Feel

Love is going to be a Smash Hit

 

[Freddie.Cane]

It's Damn cause 4:44 ain't been out that long

 

[No1]

I'm just sitting here laughing at nikkas using production to say DAMN when that was sacriligeous when people said they didn't like the tpab production. You guys realize the shifting justifications are the only reason Kendrick gets shyt? You're all making the exact argument I made for years when k.dot stans got mad. You nikkas man. It all boiled down to unlike the way it sounds more. @CrimsonTider should be in here trolling you all.

 

[GreenGhxst]

I'm just sitting here laughing at nikkas using production to say DAMN when that was sacriligeous when people said they didn't like the tpab production. You guys realize the shifting justifications are the only reason Kendrick gets shyt? You're all making the exact argument I made for years when k.dot stans got mad. You nikkas man. It all boiled down to unlike the way it sounds more. @CrimsonTider should be in here trolling you all.

I liked his rapping better too

Duckworth was just icing on the cake

 

[NoHalfWay]

I would agree if Jay was consistently great at making albums. Granted this is only Kendrick's 4th studio LP compared to 13 for HOV, but in the battle of consistency, Kendrick has it so far. And this is classic level material at that. We'll see how long Kendrick keeps this up for, but HOV won't be remembered for a stellar discography. It has plenty of mishaps.

I really do think Kendrick can enter that GOAT convo. Once you enter it, levels cease to exist. You can make a case for anyone within the conversation depending on the parameters you prioritise.

Except Ice Cube. That guy is on another level.

I give you consistency. Kendrick has had one of the most consistent outputs his first 4 albums than most artists in the game.

But when you say classic level material what are we saying here? I think gkmc will be classic for my era, but will any of his albums be as monumental as The Blueprint?

We talking an album that nikkas can drop quotes from easily. Packed with street anthems, one of the most legendary guest feature, one of the most reversed diss records in hip hop history, and GOAT level production. And it is arguably not even Jay's best album.

Most people usually give that nod to Reasonable Doubt, which is a totally different listening experience.

That's not even taking into account The Black Album, American Gangster, and real solid street albums with classics like Vol 1, Vol 3, Dynasty. Breh, the GODLY FEATURES Hov has and continues to stack, which is a very weak spot for Kendrick.

I wrap this up to say Jay could drop another Kingdom Come tier album and Kendrick can continue his streak... Jay's catalog and contributions will still be waaaaaaaaay too deep for Kendrick.

 

[California Burrito]

it's not even close honestly DAMN. is on a different level

 

[notorious8562]

4:44 by a decent margin.