Is Jay-Z a Conscious Rapper?

Written by Rizoh. Posted in Gumbo

Published on October 31, 2007 with 44 Comments">44 Comments

jay-in-concert.jpg

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::Jay-Z ft. Beanie Sigel – “Ignorant Sh*t”

“Scarface the Movie did more than Scarface the Rapper to me”

A lot of people criticize Jay-Z for not addressing social issues like, say, Nas or Talib. Funny thing is, he does…on his own terms. If you do your homework, you’ll realize that he has touched on those same subjects that so-called conscious MCs have rhymed about in the past. Sure, Jigga has flipped the bird to everyone from Bill O’Reilly and C Delores Tucker to racist cops and the broken justice system. In some cases, he has done so on the same tracks as our socially aware favorites, like dead prez and Kweli.

The reason people don’t give him props for waxing conscious is that he sometimes approaches serious issues with a passive demeanor. Socially conscious Jay-Z at his best tackles hot button topics with a “f*ck you, don’t blame it on me” attitude that makes it less convenient to focus on the issues at hand, as he does here on “Ignorant Sh*t.” Don Imus gets it on the newly added Verse III. Call it thug braggadocio.

Oh yeah, Beans is still a beast on the mic. A severely untamed one for that matter.

TRU

Rizoh

Rizoh is the most powerful man in all the lands. He lives in Houston where he earned a BS in Nerf Herding. He's the founder of The Rap Up, the editor of Roc4Life.com, and is in the Grammy-awaiting band Pervertable Disciples.

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  • http://www.prohiphop.com Clyde Smith

    flipping the bird isn’t really social commentary.

    when jay-z talked about the water initiative with which he got involved, he sounded like a confused child playing adult.

    he’s got a long ways to go to be socially relevant beyond the arts, fashion and gossip blogs.

  • http://www.prohiphop.com Clyde Smith

    flipping the bird isn’t really social commentary.

    when jay-z talked about the water initiative with which he got involved, he sounded like a confused child playing adult.

    he’s got a long ways to go to be socially relevant beyond the arts, fashion and gossip blogs.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    ^^That’s the point I’m trying so hard to make. He feels the urge to address issues, but his approach is crass and distracting.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    ^^That’s the point I’m trying so hard to make. He feels the urge to address issues, but his approach is crass and distracting.

  • http://smartandangry.blogspot.com Long

    Well he does brag about how he doesn’t write anything down. Therefore I wouldn’t expect a full concise verse about a subject. He probably thinks of whats current, throws a witty punchline to it and then moves on to something else.

  • http://smartandangry.blogspot.com Long

    Well he does brag about how he doesn’t write anything down. Therefore I wouldn’t expect a full concise verse about a subject. He probably thinks of whats current, throws a witty punchline to it and then moves on to something else.

  • http://wtfareuserious? Big Huto

    Yo Riz, i completely agree about his style of social consiousness, how its less obvious and more flippant, like his “fuck the system” verse on that dead prez remix which is so fuckin ill! ….my only criticism is that for sumbody with his immense talent, he shows this more consious side of him wayyy to infrequently

  • http://wtfareuserious? Big Huto

    it was that verse form the “hell yeah” remix
    As long as there’s – drugs to be sold
    I ain’t waiting for the system to plug up these holes
    I ain’t slipping through the cracks
    So I’m at Portland, Oregon tryin to slip you these raps
    The first black in the suburbs
    You’d think I had extasy, percocet, and plus syrup
    The way the cops converged, they fucked up my swerve
    The first young buck that I served
    I thought back to the block
    I never seen a cop when I was out there
    They never came out there
    And out there, I was slinging crack to live
    I’m only slinging raps to your kids
    I’m only trying to show you how black niggaz live
    But you don’t want your little ones acting like this
    Lil Amy told Becky, Becky told Jenny
    And now they all know the skinny
    Lil Joey got his doo-rag on
    Driving down the street blasting Tupac’s song (Thug Life baby!)
    But Billy like Snoop, got his blue rag on
    Now before you know it, you back in ‘nam
    Now the police, got me in the middle of the street
    Trying to beat me blue, black and orange
    I’m like hold up, who you smacking on?
    I’m only trying to eat what you snacking on

  • arnold

    waiiit, he’s dissing scarface the rapper?

  • arnold

    waiiit, he’s dissing scarface the rapper?

  • http://bgdboom.blogspot.com/ Enigmatik

    i wouldn’t say imus really got much of anything on that verse, but that’s beside the point…people are always going to blame music simply based on their own ignorance. it’s ridiculous to blame rap music for all the ills of society when there are so many other things going on the world to influence people

  • http://bgdboom.blogspot.com/ Enigmatik

    i wouldn’t say imus really got much of anything on that verse, but that’s beside the point…people are always going to blame music simply based on their own ignorance. it’s ridiculous to blame rap music for all the ills of society when there are so many other things going on the world to influence people

  • http://www.allhiphop.com king.byron

    I agree that J does address issues man of his lines are just overlooked Examples -From Blueprint (H.O.V.A.) “Pay us like you owe for every year that you holded us.” Sounds like reparations to me. Kingdom Come (Minority Report) “Wouldn’t you loot, if you didn’t have the loot, and you were stuck on the roof and you baby needed food.” Defending those abandoned by govt during Katrina. On the new American Gangster first released single Blue Magic he talks about Regan and the Govt.’s role in Iran-Contra/slash crack epidemic. On othe songs he said he would like to rhyme like Talib and Common, but when he does his audience does not get it.

  • http://www.allhiphop.com king.byron

    I agree that J does address issues man of his lines are just overlooked Examples -From Blueprint (H.O.V.A.) “Pay us like you owe for every year that you holded us.” Sounds like reparations to me. Kingdom Come (Minority Report) “Wouldn’t you loot, if you didn’t have the loot, and you were stuck on the roof and you baby needed food.” Defending those abandoned by govt during Katrina. On the new American Gangster first released single Blue Magic he talks about Regan and the Govt.’s role in Iran-Contra/slash crack epidemic. On othe songs he said he would like to rhyme like Talib and Common, but when he does his audience does not get it.

  • http://www.theehlp.com esbee

    I agree his style is more flippant but I honestly believe in Jay’s heart of hearts he really wants to do good for his community and he is doing quite A LOT some of which isn’t as publicised in the media (and why should it?). I don’t know if cats like Nas (not trying to diss) do anything visible for their community..which really is the most important aspect of all of this.

    I mean its one thing to put socially conscious lyrics into your raps but its another to actually DO something about it. You can fault Jay for not knowing enough about what he tries to do but I can’t fault him for his heart being in the right place like with the water issue, he realized his ignorance and admitted to it throughout his diaries…

    The problem ppl have with him is they expect something of someone of his stature to be this archetype savior or something..I don’t know if its the complete right thing to do. I will admit he’s growing into positions where he can help ppl, and I believe he is trying as much as he thinks he is to help…I dunno I’m just wary of judging ppl from a distance when I’m not involved in their day-to-day lives..

  • http://www.theehlp.com esbee

    I agree his style is more flippant but I honestly believe in Jay’s heart of hearts he really wants to do good for his community and he is doing quite A LOT some of which isn’t as publicised in the media (and why should it?). I don’t know if cats like Nas (not trying to diss) do anything visible for their community..which really is the most important aspect of all of this.

    I mean its one thing to put socially conscious lyrics into your raps but its another to actually DO something about it. You can fault Jay for not knowing enough about what he tries to do but I can’t fault him for his heart being in the right place like with the water issue, he realized his ignorance and admitted to it throughout his diaries…

    The problem ppl have with him is they expect something of someone of his stature to be this archetype savior or something..I don’t know if its the complete right thing to do. I will admit he’s growing into positions where he can help ppl, and I believe he is trying as much as he thinks he is to help…I dunno I’m just wary of judging ppl from a distance when I’m not involved in their day-to-day lives..

  • http://nayschola.blogspot.com Nahshon

    I think the truth about Jay is that he feels a certain way (socially aware and conscious)and he acts a certain way (charitable and socially active) but when it comes to rapping he feels underappreciated unless he caters to a strictly pop crowd.

    I think it used to bother him a lot more but his commercial success has made it a lot easier for him to dumb down his flow in subsequent albums.

    In my opinion, If more people celebrate his conscious flows he’ll do it more and tackle it with more gravity.

  • http://nayschola.blogspot.com Nahshon

    I think the truth about Jay is that he feels a certain way (socially aware and conscious)and he acts a certain way (charitable and socially active) but when it comes to rapping he feels underappreciated unless he caters to a strictly pop crowd.

    I think it used to bother him a lot more but his commercial success has made it a lot easier for him to dumb down his flow in subsequent albums.

    In my opinion, If more people celebrate his conscious flows he’ll do it more and tackle it with more gravity.

  • http://www.djtrackstar.com DJ Trackstar

    I’ve always thought Jay didn’t get enough credit for his conscious side…even when he doesn’t explicitly speak on issues he’s on point with social commentary, pointing to causes and effects, describing the hoods’ relationships with the establishment…

  • http://www.djtrackstar.com DJ Trackstar

    I’ve always thought Jay didn’t get enough credit for his conscious side…even when he doesn’t explicitly speak on issues he’s on point with social commentary, pointing to causes and effects, describing the hoods’ relationships with the establishment…

  • http://www.rawkus.com Drew Ricketts

    I don’t think any of us can decide how conscious or not we want Jay to be…especially when we can find line after line that proves how socially aware he is. As he said, when he makes records like “Big Pimpin,” people call him a genius yet his entire first album took years to ascend from sleeper status. Reasonable Doubt is a socially conscious gangster rap album. It takes the bravura of its era and turns it into introspective brooding and even some sulking. “You Must Love Me” and “Hard Knock Life” also have a clear point of view about what it’s like to be impoverished and cornered.

  • http://www.rawkus.com Drew Ricketts

    I don’t think any of us can decide how conscious or not we want Jay to be…especially when we can find line after line that proves how socially aware he is. As he said, when he makes records like “Big Pimpin,” people call him a genius yet his entire first album took years to ascend from sleeper status. Reasonable Doubt is a socially conscious gangster rap album. It takes the bravura of its era and turns it into introspective brooding and even some sulking. “You Must Love Me” and “Hard Knock Life” also have a clear point of view about what it’s like to be impoverished and cornered.

  • http://dahshyt.blogspot.com Belize

    H to the izzo

    nuff said

    propz riz..also that kim k pics were niceeeee

  • http://dahshyt.blogspot.com Belize

    H to the izzo

    nuff said

    propz riz..also that kim k pics were niceeeee

  • http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com/ Ivan

    Did I just see Papoose?

  • http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com/ Ivan

    Did I just see Papoose?

  • butacupz

    Yeahh ahaa if ya say so!

  • butacupz

    Yeahh ahaa if ya say so!

  • SomeOne

    Jay doesn’t get credit for his conscious side because he does outright say “fuck imus” but if “fans” actually listen they would hear alot of socially conscious shit jay drops. Jay is not Talib nor should we want him to be can believe this discussion is about how Jay-z is not conscious enough, come on y’all we got got other artist for that shit when we need it.

  • SomeOne

    Jay doesn’t get credit for his conscious side because he does outright say “fuck imus” but if “fans” actually listen they would hear alot of socially conscious shit jay drops. Jay is not Talib nor should we want him to be can believe this discussion is about how Jay-z is not conscious enough, come on y’all we got got other artist for that shit when we need it.

  • nikkie

    Jay-z is the best rapper alive. He’s the “AMERICAN Gansta” and if you don’t like it, go buy Common’s album for the conscious shit!

  • nikkie

    Jay-z is the best rapper alive. He’s the “AMERICAN Gansta” and if you don’t like it, go buy Common’s album for the conscious shit!

  • T2

    Jay definetly has alot of conscious lyrics but I think it goes over peoples head. ‘Ignorant Shit’ is classic shit aswell.

    MOMENT OF CLARITY

    2nd verse
    Music business hate me cause the industry ain’t make me
    Hustlers and boosters embrace me and the music I be makin
    I dumbed down for my audience to double my dollars
    They criticized me for it yet they all yell “HOLLA!”
    If skills sold, truth be told, I’d probably be
    lyrically, Talib Kweli
    Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense
    But I did five mill’ – I ain’t been rhymin like Common since
    When your cents got that much in common
    And you been hustlin since, your inception
    Fuck perception go with what makes sense
    Since I know what I’m up against
    We as rappers must decide what’s most impor-tant
    And I can’t help the poor if I’m one of them
    So I got rich and gave back, to me that’s the win/win
    So next time you see the homey and his rims spin
    Just know my mind is workin just like them…
    … rims, that is

  • T2

    Jay definetly has alot of conscious lyrics but I think it goes over peoples head. ‘Ignorant Shit’ is classic shit aswell.

    MOMENT OF CLARITY

    2nd verse
    Music business hate me cause the industry ain’t make me
    Hustlers and boosters embrace me and the music I be makin
    I dumbed down for my audience to double my dollars
    They criticized me for it yet they all yell “HOLLA!”
    If skills sold, truth be told, I’d probably be
    lyrically, Talib Kweli
    Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense
    But I did five mill’ – I ain’t been rhymin like Common since
    When your cents got that much in common
    And you been hustlin since, your inception
    Fuck perception go with what makes sense
    Since I know what I’m up against
    We as rappers must decide what’s most impor-tant
    And I can’t help the poor if I’m one of them
    So I got rich and gave back, to me that’s the win/win
    So next time you see the homey and his rims spin
    Just know my mind is workin just like them…
    … rims, that is

  • moneda

    “Fuck being conscious. Being conscious just means you’re awake, we need to be more than just awake.”

    -Immortal Technique

    That “Moment of Clarity” verse always makes me smile, ’cause it has the complete opposite effect on me than it does to his current fans. They listen to it and think, “Oh, he’s so insightful! He ain’t never lied! He always been Hov!” Does anyone besides me hear that verse and think, “This nigga just completely rationalizes being a sellout?”

  • moneda

    “Fuck being conscious. Being conscious just means you’re awake, we need to be more than just awake.”

    -Immortal Technique

    That “Moment of Clarity” verse always makes me smile, ’cause it has the complete opposite effect on me than it does to his current fans. They listen to it and think, “Oh, he’s so insightful! He ain’t never lied! He always been Hov!” Does anyone besides me hear that verse and think, “This nigga just completely rationalizes being a sellout?”

  • dana

    WACK!! he should take some lessons from ANDRE3000 on how to make a “concious”song that is HOT!!

  • dana

    WACK!! he should take some lessons from ANDRE3000 on how to make a “concious”song that is HOT!!

  • http://dahshyt.blogspot.com Belize

    moneda Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 8:57 pm
    “Fuck being conscious. Being conscious just means you’re awake, we need to be more than just awake.”

    -Immortal Technique

    That “Moment of Clarity” verse always makes me smile, ’cause it has the complete opposite effect on me than it does to his current fans. They listen to it and think, “Oh, he’s so insightful! He ain’t never lied! He always been Hov!” Does anyone besides me hear that verse and think, “This nigga just completely rationalizes being a sellout?”

    ^
    No..thats just bein a hater

    *knocks hatorade bottle out of hand*

    get some vitamin water homes!

  • http://dahshyt.blogspot.com Belize

    moneda Says:
    October 31st, 2007 at 8:57 pm
    “Fuck being conscious. Being conscious just means you’re awake, we need to be more than just awake.”

    -Immortal Technique

    That “Moment of Clarity” verse always makes me smile, ’cause it has the complete opposite effect on me than it does to his current fans. They listen to it and think, “Oh, he’s so insightful! He ain’t never lied! He always been Hov!” Does anyone besides me hear that verse and think, “This nigga just completely rationalizes being a sellout?”

    ^
    No..thats just bein a hater

    *knocks hatorade bottle out of hand*

    get some vitamin water homes!

  • moneda

    I’ll put down my “hatorade” when you remove his scrotum from your mouth.

  • moneda

    I’ll put down my “hatorade” when you remove his scrotum from your mouth.

  • abek

    its obvious what he’s sayin on that moment of clarity verse. he’s sayin he got the lyrical talent of kweli and common but he realizes that rhymin like “common sense” doesn’t make “cents $$$” so he “dumbed down for his audience to double his dollars”. i think thats all bullshit though. you know jay wishes he could make another reasonable doubt. look at american gangsta: clearly an attempt at gettin back at those ’96 days. i’m glad he stepped down from his boardroom chair. now he’s got the freedom to return to the glory days.

  • abek

    its obvious what he’s sayin on that moment of clarity verse. he’s sayin he got the lyrical talent of kweli and common but he realizes that rhymin like “common sense” doesn’t make “cents $$$” so he “dumbed down for his audience to double his dollars”. i think thats all bullshit though. you know jay wishes he could make another reasonable doubt. look at american gangsta: clearly an attempt at gettin back at those ’96 days. i’m glad he stepped down from his boardroom chair. now he’s got the freedom to return to the glory days.

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