When did Jay Z become a legacy artist? And how did Beyonce escape legacy artdom?

[Cladyclad]

You're missing the point. It was a successful album without HKL. What took it to the stratosphere was HKL. This has never been disputed nor is it a knock on Jay. He prob goes 2x plat without it, like I said. Instead he went 5x plat.

But the album was number 1 for 2 weeks before he released that song as a single

to this day. That album is anomaly. It was like a playlist before playlist. 3 songs on other albums before the release was unheard of. unless I missed an album I don’t think that was ever done at that point. The lead single came out 2 weeks after the album was released. Jay momentum was scorching hot. He was still selling 200k a week months after the album dropped

 

[Piff Perkins]

But the album was number 1 for 2 weeks before he released that song as a single

to this day. That album is anomaly. It was like a playlist before playlist. 3 songs on other albums before the release was unheard of. unless I missed an album I don’t think that was ever done at that point. The lead single came out 2 weeks after the album was released. Jay momentum was scorching hot. He was still selling 200k a week months after the album dropped

Breh...I know lol. At a time when rap albums were selling like hot cakes. But you don't get to 5x plat without a smash hit and that was HKL. Highest charting, sold the most, etc. And whenever his camp talks about the album they say that was the song that took things to another level.

 

[bigde09]

jay Been a legacy act since 1996 lol

He was only known for Hawaiian Sophie then

 

[CAVEMAN]

the real answer to me is: Ever since he stopped putting out his own music and became just a featured artist. Soon as he slid into that same fear that Andre 3000 has, of being scared to drop an album cuz of fears it wont impact the culture like they used to be able to.

which I'd say it happened when his duo album with Beyoncé didn't really move the needle. Which I think is kinda a miscalculation, like sure yea it definitely didnt do what it could have, but I think thats more on the fact it didn't have huge singles or important songs on it, it felt like a half effort side project. the only single that album had was ghostwritten by the Migos, not no classic shyt. If they had made a big proper event album out of it like they usually do it woulda been way more impactful, and then Jay wouldn't be scared to drop cuz he'd have extended the game.

 

[RammerJammer]

After MCHG going by your definition

I was in HS at the time and that album had some tracks folks my age fw like Holy Grail, FWMYKIGI, On The Run, etc

 

[JadeB]

After MCHG going by your definition

I was in HS at the time and that album had some tracks folks my age fw like Holy Grail, FWMYKIGI, On The Run, etc

I was also in high school then and those songs were big hits. I really do think that was the end of it because I haven’t heard of an absolute game-changing smash hit since.

 

[mvp_status]

I mean he hasn't put out a solo album in 7 years, Beyonce still dropping albums for new discussions to be had

 

[Cladyclad]

I was also in high school then and those songs were big hits. I really do think that was the end of it because I haven’t heard of an absolute game-changing smash hit since.

he hasn’t made commercial music since MCHG

444 nothing on it was commercial at all
but it still has plat singles


jay z has not had a solo song since 2017 lol

he just been doing features

shyt if you remove dis records

God did verse is one of the most talked about verses of the last 4 years

he made a 7 min song in 2023 a thing

 

[Formerly Black Trash]

Beyonce has a cult and women like to go out and spend money

 

[L $ C]

Different genres. Beyonce is on that Michael Jackson/Madonna/Janet Jackson/etc level where her albums remain noteworthy events/moments long into her career. At some point that will end but not yet. Cowboy Carter did what, 400k first week? Even super star artists who still sell records aren't doing that. Gaga's album this year did about 220k first week, for reference.

I'd argue Jay didn't become a legacy artist until some point after 4:44. That album sold very well and had a hit record, so he was still very relevant. I'm sure he can still sell records, the same way U2 or Coldplay can still sell records. I just don't think he's capable of having a hit record at this point.

444 had a hit record?

 

[L $ C]

to me the correct answer is slightly after MCHG that was his last bit of light as a mainstream heavy act, he hasnt had a big solo single for 12 years...think about it

 

[Cladyclad]

to me the correct answer is slightly after MCHG that was his last bit of light as a mainstream heavy act, he hasnt had a big solo single for 12 years...think about it

i got the keys was his last solo lead single

and it’s double platinum

 

[L $ C]

i got the keys was his last solo lead single

and it’s double platinum

I mean I guess bro but that 1 wasnt for his album 2 was also a really long time ago. 3 wasnt really a hit

 

[L $ C]

Drake kendrick and Cole will soon be legacy artists imo but they all 3 could and will prolly still have hits

I dont see jay being able to make a hit anymore at all not as a main solo

 

[O.Red]

I see this one of them loose definition threads