This bar graph shows the songs sampled by decade by Jay-z on his album 4:44. With eight sampled songs, 4:44 derived most of its inspiration from the 1970s decade.
African American men have used mediums such as novels, essays, poetry, and even rap to captivate audiences with their coming of age narratives. This timeline highlights books about black men and places Jay Z within a broader literary continuum.
This data set shows the types of collaborations Jay-Z had on his album 4:44 as well as the number of plays each song reached. While this album has the least amount of collaborations compared to his previous works, it is still successful.
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The meaning behind all the songs on 4:44
At its core, "'The Story of OJ'" is about culturreally a song about we as a culture, having a plan, how we're gonna push this forward. We all make money, and then we all lose money, as artists especially. But how, when you have some type of success, to transform that into something bigger." Max Weinstein
Check out more JAY Z'S 4:44 news and updates on their social media channels.
"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man"
Before becoming a world-renowned rapper and heralded as lyrical genius, Shawn Carter was building his empire in his head. As a young, up-and-coming rapper, he decided co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and released his debut album. As his career progressed, and became a household name, so did his empire. Rocawear - his fashion brand, Roc Nation - a talent agency, Roc Nation Sports – a sports agency, and many more ventures have thrived under the steady hand of HOV. Few are the days that he’s not hustling. It's all a testament to the legacy he will be leaving with his album 4:44 and beyond.
How this album differs from others Jay-Z has worked on.
Jay-Z released single tracks from including the title track “4:44” to build hype before the official release to excited fans, however, as technology made leaps and bounds streaming has overtaken straight album sales as a sign of success. The exclusive TIDAL-Sprint release of 4:44 amassed over 600,000+ true album sales, going #1 on the Billboard charts, and to a glowing reception by musical critics despite the smaller album sales.
The Legacy of Jay-Z
Audiences are familiar with Jay-Z’s contributions to the Rap genre as one of the few to maintain longevity in his career since his debut in 1996. But, few realize his innovations to the artistry of the ever-evolving genre. As a rapper, Jay-Z opened doors to certain elements that otherwise remained untouched by young musicians. To be vulnerable, to be critical, to build and create new worlds and perspectives with their lyrics. As well, his involvements in social movements and businesses, challenges the next generation to act more than the chart topping rapper—but to act as a social activist for their community.
The Family Man
Shawn Carter as a husband is not the Jay-Z fans know. Jay-Z evolved from a young man trying to make a name for himself in Hip-Hop to a man willing to draw back the curtain and reveal vulnerability. Since the revelation of his infidelity in 2016, the questions to Jay-Z's character forced a change in him. As a confessional album, reflects on his shortcomings as a husband and reflects on his current state of life giving listeners a glimpse into his private, innermost thoughts.
Jay-Z and Dean Baquet, in Conversation
The rapper and music mogul discusses therapy, marriage and politics with The New York Times's executive editor.
The multiple meanings of 4:44.
Four is a special number to the Carter family, especially following a theme of revelations. The album revolves around the title song “4:44” - which Jay-Z supposedly awoke to write in a flurry at 4:44 AM. The song is a confessional about the regrets, betrayals, and hard earned emotional nicks and scars adorning his psyche, specifically involving his wife. The title song captures the overall theme of atonement, healing, and progress that is weaved throughout the album.
What 4:44 is all about.
4:44 is a retrospective confessional piece that gives insight into the evolution of Shawn Carter's rap persona, Jay Z, after 20+ years in the rap game. Songs like “Family Feud”, “Smile”, and “Story of OJ”, tackle subjects ranging from black pride and financial freedom to hard (and personal) truths Jay-Z has come to live with as he's matured as a husband and father.
Themes Jay-Z touches on in 4:44.
On 4:44 Jay-Z raps about a mixed bag of topics: marriage, fatherhood, and being forced to reflect on your decisions and experiences that made you what you are. “Smile”, “Family Feud”, and “4:44” are personal testaments to his emotional vulnerability and the potential breakdown of relationships (if the work isn’t done). Therapy, and the work he’s done in those sessions, are a huge factor in him tackling toxic masculinity in black culture.
"Streets is my artery, the vein of my existence"
'Marcy Me'
Jay-Z
New York's Influence
Sean Carter to Jay-Z
Shawn Carter, better known as the rapper Jay-Z, came of age in Brooklyn during the 1970s and 80s. As a musician, his rap lyrics evolved over the course of his career. His lyrics contrast memories growing up in Marcy projects with his career as a rapper and life as a husband and father. As Jay-Z approaches 50, he has helped to refashion the image of rap to mature alongside its demographic.
All about Jay-Z
Audiences are familiar with Jay-Z’s contributions to the Rap genre as one of the few to maintain relevance in his career since his debut in 1996. But, few realize the subtle storytelling innovations he has contributed to the artistry of the ever-evolving genre. As a rapper, Jay-Z opened doors to certain elements that otherwise remained untouched by young musicians. To be vulnerable, to be critical, to build and create new worlds and perspectives with their lyrics. His latest interest in combatting the unjust prison industrial complex by bringing light to the inhumane treatment of prisoners and wrongful conviction of suspects challenges this generation to act as a social activist for our community.
