Has Jay-Z evolved as an artist at all?

[really tho]

real talk tho. when i think jay...has he evolved... one song comes to mind:

 

[Piff Perkins]

No. When you look at the five most popular/impactful/etc rappers of the last 20 years (Biggie, Pac, Nas, Jay, Em*) he easily has the least introspective content as a percentage of his overall output. And while some of Nas, Pac, and Em's best work is their introspective stuff...Jay's introspective stuff is more often than not forgettable.

He's been a one note rapper for decades, and it's even more apparent now.

 

[Anti-Anime]

He devolved.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

It just depends on the listener, as he has plenty of songs like that to me.

Regrets (my fav Jay-Z song)
You Must Love Me
Allure
Song Cry
Where Have You Been
This Can't Be Life
Soon You'll Understand
Meet The Parents
Anything

^And that's just off the top off my head.

His songs like that hit my soul more than any Eminem or Nas song.

Cosign. His verse on this can't be life was

 

[drugxglory]

Maybe thats why i never been a Jay fan

 

[ryshy]

never, not once in his career

 

[lutha]

has jay evolved? lol wow....another thread/example that you cats really don't listen to the music...

 

[Mikael Blowpiff]

hes in his aging rock star phase. u know how the rolling stones or sting or whoever will drop an album nowadays and itll go platinum but like a year later no one remembers none of them tracks? jays not at that point yet but that days coming.

 

[Xecutioner]

Define substance. Give me a sample of a song that has substance to you.

 

[2manyFCKNrappers]

jay shows his growth subtly. I just think he personally enjoys flossin' more.

 

[mortuus est]

lol you guys man

 

[Majestic Pape]

I don't know why homey tried to mention Eminem... Jigga has more songs of substance in his catalogue than Slim Shady, unless you consider gay bashing and N Sync disses deep social issues.

 

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

Define substance. Give me a sample of a song that has substance to you.

Does it have to be from Jay...well then...probably not the best track to use as an example, but this is one of my favorite Jay joints right here...



Jay on his introspective early dope boy flow...



If we talking about Nas....I could break down the meaningful stuff in his verses for days...

 

[JustCKing]

I'm a fan, but I'm just besides myself sometimes thinking that this man is 40 something, been around for over 20 years and has yet to make a song with any real substance.

I don't buy into the whole Jay Z is GOAT, but he's a contender. To say that hasn't made a song with any real substance is ludicrous:

Pray
American Dreamin'
No Hook
I Know
You Must Love Me
D'evils
Heaven
Holy Grail

^^^ All of these songs have substance.

 

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

I don't know why homey tried to mention Eminem... Jigga has more songs of substance in his catalogue than Slim Shady, unless you consider gay bashing and N Sync disses deep social issues.

I was just using him as an example of someone on Jay's level (not really on all levels, I like his stuff but can admit when I think people overrate him or underrate him).

I guess when I mean "substance", I mean deep songs that talk about issues outside of flossin and the come-up.