the thing that made Jay Z great was
1. His ability to drop hit records consistently. From 96 - 2003 Jay Z dropped heat.
2. His ability to adapt to the times while maintaining a somewhat unique style.
After coming back from a 3 year hiatus, the times were changing. And while he still was able to make decent records, the demographics were changing.
Jay Z was never an introspective/social rapper. He may have dropped a song like "Song Cry" but that wasn't who he was.
4.44 wasn't shyt, but it honestly doesn't fit the brand he built and it doesn't fit into is collection of albums.

The rap landscape has changed. This album won't be remembered in another 18 months.