See more Your browser does not support the audio element. What's important to him now is to continue to rule and be respected. But after listening to the album several times over, 4:44 impresses with its precision, its workmanship, and a certain kind of perfection. He is restrained in his choice of other artists who feature, inviting only Frank Ocean and Damian Marley to the album. Jay-Z has made a classic album, a true Jay-Z album, with groovy and erudite choices of samples (Fugees, Stevie Wonder, Funk Inc., Donny Hathaway to name a few) over which he lays down introspective rhymes on the turpitudes of conjugal life with Mrs Carter (who features on Family Feud), and reflecting on his status and ego.

No vaguely electro sounds, no contemporary beats. (it's rare for Jay-Z to hand the keys to a single producer) and it remains true to the fundamentals of Jay-Z's work.

The album was produced by Ernest Dion Wilson a.k.a. And 4:44 makes for a beautiful couch to do just that. Rather, he is hitting the psychoanalyst's couch. At 47, having nothing to prove to anyone, Jay-Z is not out to gauge the competition or battle the new generation. No: the Brooklyn rapper's struggle is entirely with himself. Jay-Z, has found himself a target for clashes throughout 4:44, it's not with Kanye, or Kendrick, or any other fellow musician. Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.

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