Blame Reagan for making me into a monster
Blame Oliver north and Iran-Contra
I ran contraband that they sponsored
Before this rhyming stuff was in concert

-Blue Magic (American Gangster, ‘07)

On the topic of guys I respect, let’s take a quick look at Jay Z - the jigga man that we are working to, one day, spit rhymes with (#85: Record a track with Jay-Z).

In 1996, Jay silenced critics by producing and distributing Reasonable Doubt, his debut LP. In the 12 years since, he’s won 6 Grammys (and earned 26 nominations), served as the CEO of Def Jam Records (the label for Ne-Yo, The Roots, LL Cool J), spent time with Charlie Rose, and put out more hot singles than I care to count. He also owns a NBA team, has a restaurant.. yata yata yata

What Jay brings to music, that no one else does, is a lyrical swagger that’s raw and polished at the same time - fusing ‘accessible’ hooks about money and hoes with deeper philosophical questions like, funnily enough, getting what you want out of life. Many say he’s the best rapper alive. Others say Dave is. When all is said and done, we’ll let you decide.

Whoever said illegal was the easy way out couldn’t understand the mechanics
And the workings of the underworld, granted
Nine to five is how to survive, I ain’t trying to survive
I’m trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot

-D’Evils (Reasonable Doubt ‘96)

I’m not a ‘Business-Man’
I’m a Business… man
Let me handle my business, damn

Diamonds Are Forever (Kanye West / Late Registration, 2005)