I didn't even listen to the song... I dont like Kanye or Jay so that song wouldn't appeal to me.... And what someone else said above, its his monotone voice that I find very boring.... He may some slick things, but it sounds boring because he doesnt have a voice that keeps my attention....
I just think its strange that he tries to be so subliminal about other rappers but will put Hammer down in a song.... And yes I bet Hammer did take offense to it.... He could have said what he was trying to say without bringing a rapper from the 80's into it.... But I guess we wouldn't be talking about it then.....
I'll be honest, I have never really gave Jay a chance..... THe only 2 songs that Jay is on that I have listened to more than a hand full of times are Renegade and Guess who's Back with Scarface...... I just always thought he was a bit too arrogant and that's exactly why I don't like Kanye.... And it really bugs me that people proclaim Jay to be the best ever....
Its all based on an individual's opinion, but I think Scarface, Eminem, Pac, Biggie, and Nas are all better rappers than Jay... Scarface just seemed to not be able to write a really breakthrough single (other than a couple of marginal hits) and thats why he gets overlooked by so many..... Too many times a rapper is labeled a great rapper because he can make good singles..... Good songwriters are not always good rappers.... ANd not to mention some 80's guys like Rakim and others....
Jay came along at the right time and had a good team around him.... (Jay would not be as big today without Dame)
Maybe if I actually sat and listened to all Jay's album's I would change my opinion... Really I guess I'm not in a good position to judge since I don't listen to him.... He just comes off as an arrogant ass to me, like in that little video where that dude is trying to sale him some candy or something..... He just is too hollywood to me..... I can just tell he is not a good human being.... All that money and how many times do you see him out doing things for people that are less fortunate... He may participate in these big celebrity charity events that they do just for publicity but when have you read about him visiting sick kids or taking time to do anything.... You can donate your money if youre rich, but the ones that donate their time are the ones I respect.....
I know these things don't mean anything to most people.... But rap, in my mind is more than music.... That's what originally made rap special and popular.... Not just because a song is catchy or he said a slick metaphor.... Rap, at least to me, is supposed to make you think, make you see things from another perspective... That seems all rap is now a days is metaphors and similes.... No substance, especially on the radio..... And I think Jay was one of the main figures that has perpetuated this trend, and there is no end in sight.... I like some songs like that but every single song on the radio not only sounds the same but talks about the same old things....
I really thought that Jay was going to go against all that with DOA, but then he makes his other singles about all the money and power he has....
Sorry people this is much longer than I wanted it to be..... THis is a subject I could go on about for hours..... I'm sure I come off as weird to many of you, but I just hate what hip hop has turned into and I place alot of blame of this on artists such as Jay.... He is no doubt talented, rich and powerful..... I just wish he would use those things to transform this garbage that is being force fed to us and take rap back to its true form...... There is a place for the kind of hip hop that is popular now, but it needs to be balanced out by hip hop that has substance.... Jay could be at the front of that but it is too risky for him and he may lose some money..... And I guess that's all that matters
