Best Song on American Gangster?

Written by Rizoh. Posted in Gumbo

Published on November 15, 2007 with 58 Comments">58 Comments

jay_ag.jpg

I was hooked on “No Hook” and “American Dreamin’” for a while. Then I gave “Fallin’” another listen, Verse tres to be precise. Suddenly, I realized what has happening to me. It dawned on me that I was being transported onto diss-ney land. Then Jermaine Dupri’s voice came down from above and said: “Fallin’ is more than just a song, Rizoh”

I’ll show you what I’m blabbing about. Walk with me

Fallin’ – Verse III:
And ya can’t get up
All you do is push-up
Pull-up sit-up
Locked down the town now belongs to the squares
Who said they won’t make the same mistake that got you there
And ya arm candy sweet on em’ and the women
That you left for this heffer got a college degree coming
Bad news keeps comin’
Hard to keep something on ya stomach
Your sick ’bout what ya life is becoming
But your use-to’s has-beens
Ragging bad ’bout all the new dudes
Talking tough on the Youtube
‘Bout what you use to do
But that’s old school to the new crew
They doin’ numbers like Sudoku
They’re the new you
And it’s damn near inevitable
They’ll experience deja vu too
Fight and you’ll never survive
Run and you’ll never escape
So just fall from grace
Damn…

OK, maybe I’m reaching. Why would Jay diss uncle L under the guise of storytelling? Then again, Jay is sneaky like that. All his recent disses have been subliminals, minus the “F*ck Dehaven jab on “No Hook.” One thing’s clear though, he’s definitely going at a nameless adversary on this one.

Btw, here’s the “Fallin’” remix with Obie Trice:

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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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  • Mr.White

    hmmm i’m not really sure he talkin to L here

  • Mr.White

    hmmm i’m not really sure he talkin to L here

  • http://www.alisbasement.com Ali

    Rizoh, you are reaching waaaaay to far on this, I don’t think that was JD speaking to you, lol. The album is amazing, thank goodness for Jay, he dropped a banger for the fiends. “No Hook”, “Roc Boys”, “Ignorant Shit” and “Hello Brooklyn” have been on repeat for me … but my new favorite is “Pray”. The Al Green sample is so sick and Jay rides that beat perfectly, the storytelling is sick.

  • http://www.alisbasement.com Ali

    Rizoh, you are reaching waaaaay to far on this, I don’t think that was JD speaking to you, lol. The album is amazing, thank goodness for Jay, he dropped a banger for the fiends. “No Hook”, “Roc Boys”, “Ignorant Shit” and “Hello Brooklyn” have been on repeat for me … but my new favorite is “Pray”. The Al Green sample is so sick and Jay rides that beat perfectly, the storytelling is sick.

  • http://mcarroll4716.blogspot.com mcarroll4716

    I’d go with that verse being aimed at Dame before LL.

    “Locked down the town now belongs to the squares
    Who said they won’t make the same mistake that got you there”

    Dame and Dips (re: Harlem)

    “Bad news keeps comin’
    Hard to keep something on ya stomach Your sick ’bout what ya life is becoming”

    “Dame stays losing” (LOL)

    Cam talking tough on YouTube

    “And it’s damn near inevitable
    They’ll experience deja vu too”

    Basically saying the Dips saw some success but they’ll hit rock bottom soon too.

    Maybe we’re all reading into this shyt too much by the way. LOL.

    Oh yeah, the best track is either American Dreamin or No Hook.

  • http://mcarroll4716.blogspot.com mcarroll4716

    I’d go with that verse being aimed at Dame before LL.

    “Locked down the town now belongs to the squares
    Who said they won’t make the same mistake that got you there”

    Dame and Dips (re: Harlem)

    “Bad news keeps comin’
    Hard to keep something on ya stomach Your sick ’bout what ya life is becoming”

    “Dame stays losing” (LOL)

    Cam talking tough on YouTube

    “And it’s damn near inevitable
    They’ll experience deja vu too”

    Basically saying the Dips saw some success but they’ll hit rock bottom soon too.

    Maybe we’re all reading into this shyt too much by the way. LOL.

    Oh yeah, the best track is either American Dreamin or No Hook.

  • SomeOne

    Damn that’s a hard question right now i killing “American Dreaming”, “Party Life”, “Success”, “Fallin” but i love everything else also just these joints more.

  • SomeOne

    Damn that’s a hard question right now i killing “American Dreaming”, “Party Life”, “Success”, “Fallin” but i love everything else also just these joints more.

  • http://myspace.com/heatwaveteam David Katz

    Definetly reachin’ for it on this one, Rizoh.

    But your use-to’s has-beens
    Ragging bad ’bout all the new dudes
    Talking tough on the Youtube
    ‘Bout what you use to do
    But that’s old school to the new crew
    They doin’ numbers like Sudoku
    They’re the new you
    And it’s damn near inevitable
    They’ll experience deja vu too…..

    I actually think that if you want to reach further you could say this was directed at 50. He says that all the use-to’s and has-beens are talking all this shit about how the new dudes are the future and that they used to do all that shit too (IE. LL COOL J dickriding 50). LL jumped on the 50 and Unit bandwagon and since he can no longer do numbers or have the same impact as he used, he has to live VICARIOUSLY through 50.

    And when Jay’s talking about they’re the “NEW YOU”, he’s aiming at 50 and saying that 50 will eventually be in the place LL is in now ((“THEY’LL EXPERIENCE DEJA VU TOO….”)

  • http://myspace.com/heatwaveteam David Katz

    Definetly reachin’ for it on this one, Rizoh.

    But your use-to’s has-beens
    Ragging bad ’bout all the new dudes
    Talking tough on the Youtube
    ‘Bout what you use to do
    But that’s old school to the new crew
    They doin’ numbers like Sudoku
    They’re the new you
    And it’s damn near inevitable
    They’ll experience deja vu too…..

    I actually think that if you want to reach further you could say this was directed at 50. He says that all the use-to’s and has-beens are talking all this shit about how the new dudes are the future and that they used to do all that shit too (IE. LL COOL J dickriding 50). LL jumped on the 50 and Unit bandwagon and since he can no longer do numbers or have the same impact as he used, he has to live VICARIOUSLY through 50.

    And when Jay’s talking about they’re the “NEW YOU”, he’s aiming at 50 and saying that 50 will eventually be in the place LL is in now ((“THEY’LL EXPERIENCE DEJA VU TOO….”)

  • http://www.theehlp.com esbee

    My man Rizoh reaching like a hungry giraffe to a filled tree..I see you homey!

  • http://www.theehlp.com esbee

    My man Rizoh reaching like a hungry giraffe to a filled tree..I see you homey!

  • Doc

    i dont know riz. i like the “american dreamin” “roc boyz” & “hello bklyn”. imma listen some more.

  • Doc

    i dont know riz. i like the “american dreamin” “roc boyz” & “hello bklyn”. imma listen some more.

  • http://dahshyt.blogspot.com Belize

    I like em all…just hate I KNOW..gotta be the worst beat on the album and sticks out like a sore thumb

  • http://dahshyt.blogspot.com Belize

    I like em all…just hate I KNOW..gotta be the worst beat on the album and sticks out like a sore thumb

  • D SMITTY

    ARE YOU ALL FORGETTING ABOUT THE DJ TOOMP JOINT “SAY HELLO” FORGET THE WAY HE KILLED THE “CAN’T TELL ME NOTHING” SOUND. HE IS BLENDING THE BEST OF NORTH & SOUTH AND STILL PUSHING HIS FLOW EVEN FURTHER. “WE AIN’T THUGS FOR THE SAKE OF JUST BEING THUGHS, NOBODY DO THAT WHERE WE GREW AT, NI%%A DUH!”

  • D SMITTY

    ARE YOU ALL FORGETTING ABOUT THE DJ TOOMP JOINT “SAY HELLO” FORGET THE WAY HE KILLED THE “CAN’T TELL ME NOTHING” SOUND. HE IS BLENDING THE BEST OF NORTH & SOUTH AND STILL PUSHING HIS FLOW EVEN FURTHER. “WE AIN’T THUGS FOR THE SAKE OF JUST BEING THUGHS, NOBODY DO THAT WHERE WE GREW AT, NI%%A DUH!”

  • http://bgdboom.blogspot.com Enigmatik

    I think that last verse was about Dehaven and that other cat…whatever his name was…both were tough talkin’ on the youtube trying to discredit Jay and spoke about their past escapades. No one cares because now there are others on the blocks to take their place…but hell he could be talking about those cats and Dame, and the Dips. Good topic, Riz

  • http://bgdboom.blogspot.com Enigmatik

    I think that last verse was about Dehaven and that other cat…whatever his name was…both were tough talkin’ on the youtube trying to discredit Jay and spoke about their past escapades. No one cares because now there are others on the blocks to take their place…but hell he could be talking about those cats and Dame, and the Dips. Good topic, Riz

  • http://www.wildstylefm.nl J to the AAP

    I’m loving the album but #3, American Dreamin takes the cake imo. You’d have to be a sad sort of mc to f up a beat like that but you have Marvin Gaye on the hook Jigga on the verses… Man, that’s heron for my ears right now.

  • http://www.wildstylefm.nl J to the AAP

    I’m loving the album but #3, American Dreamin takes the cake imo. You’d have to be a sad sort of mc to f up a beat like that but you have Marvin Gaye on the hook Jigga on the verses… Man, that’s heron for my ears right now.

  • http://www.wildstylefm.nl J to the AAP

    btw, reaching indeed but lmao @ pushup.jpg

  • http://www.wildstylefm.nl J to the AAP

    btw, reaching indeed but lmao @ pushup.jpg

  • Were Read 2 Def

    I never hear people talkin bout “Sweet” bein a good song. I think its highly underrated.

    “BBs on da feet,
    TVs in da seat,
    enemies on da creep.”

  • Were Read 2 Def

    I never hear people talkin bout “Sweet” bein a good song. I think its highly underrated.

    “BBs on da feet,
    TVs in da seat,
    enemies on da creep.”

  • Yameen

    I Think ur reachin’ too rizoh. I don’t think jay is goin at ll. Tracks on AG i feel the most are American Dreamin’, Ignorant Sh*t, American Gangster (Feelin that curtis mayfield sample), and fallin’.

  • Yameen

    I Think ur reachin’ too rizoh. I don’t think jay is goin at ll. Tracks on AG i feel the most are American Dreamin’, Ignorant Sh*t, American Gangster (Feelin that curtis mayfield sample), and fallin’.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    And now, Rizoh’s top 5 favorite tracks on AG in order:

    -American Dreamin’
    -Roc Boys
    -Fallin’
    -No Hook
    -Success

    Ignorant Sh*t could use a longer verse from Sigel.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    And now, Rizoh’s top 5 favorite tracks on AG in order:

    -American Dreamin’
    -Roc Boys
    -Fallin’
    -No Hook
    -Success

    Ignorant Sh*t could use a longer verse from Sigel.

  • MimesisBTG

    Am I the only one who is not feeling AG? The album is sort of tired to me…Jay still has got skillz, but this project comes off a little flat. It’s a lot better than his last joint, but it’s still not great for me.

  • MimesisBTG

    Am I the only one who is not feeling AG? The album is sort of tired to me…Jay still has got skillz, but this project comes off a little flat. It’s a lot better than his last joint, but it’s still not great for me.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    Give it time.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    Give it time.

  • E

    Hey could be talking to LL, I dunno.. he be dissing Boo Boo, anyone… that’s why he does it like that.

  • E

    Hey could be talking to LL, I dunno.. he be dissing Boo Boo, anyone… that’s why he does it like that.

  • http://www.myspace.com/thespecialistbeatz PROUD NAS STAN

    Rizah your fkin paranoid…he aint dissin nobody…go back to no hook and american dreamin…no LL or no cats is bein smashed indirectly..it’s a parallel between we he couldve ben if he didnt pursue rappin and the reality of deheaven scarface and ll those mafioso stars cause if they alive they in jail or tryin to prove sumthin with their old scams or they re plain dead….dissin LL Loordd…

  • http://www.myspace.com/thespecialistbeatz PROUD NAS STAN

    Rizah your fkin paranoid…he aint dissin nobody…go back to no hook and american dreamin…no LL or no cats is bein smashed indirectly..it’s a parallel between we he couldve ben if he didnt pursue rappin and the reality of deheaven scarface and ll those mafioso stars cause if they alive they in jail or tryin to prove sumthin with their old scams or they re plain dead….dissin LL Loordd…

  • http://inversehiphop.wordpress.com tunji

    that verse is definitely about Calvin Klein and Dehaven

  • http://inversehiphop.wordpress.com tunji

    that verse is definitely about Calvin Klein and Dehaven

  • http://bgdboom.blogspot.com enigmatik

    tunji Says:
    November 16th, 2007 at 12:15 am
    that verse is definitely about Calvin Klein and Dehaven

    Calvin Klein…that’s the guy. It’s a verse about all the so-called big time hustlers who get replaced regularly by the new jacks (Frank Lucas, Nicky Barnes, etc.). Take the crack game and apply it to the rap game – LL, Dips, Curtis…

  • http://bgdboom.blogspot.com enigmatik

    tunji Says:
    November 16th, 2007 at 12:15 am
    that verse is definitely about Calvin Klein and Dehaven

    Calvin Klein…that’s the guy. It’s a verse about all the so-called big time hustlers who get replaced regularly by the new jacks (Frank Lucas, Nicky Barnes, etc.). Take the crack game and apply it to the rap game – LL, Dips, Curtis…

  • stillpaid

    ^^^^^ I agree 100 % its about calvin klein and Dee

  • stillpaid

    ^^^^^ I agree 100 % its about calvin klein and Dee

  • http://www.myspace.com/thespecialistbeatz PROUD NAS STAN

    im a proud jay stan like millions of other people but dont get me twisted, jay smacked deheaven around like a child on ”No Hook” but when it came to Calvin, the nigga goes on the sublims too shoot him on ”Fallin’ ”pfff, yo grab yo balls and spit it out…this nigga’s SCARED (c) 2Pac

  • http://www.myspace.com/thespecialistbeatz PROUD NAS STAN

    im a proud jay stan like millions of other people but dont get me twisted, jay smacked deheaven around like a child on ”No Hook” but when it came to Calvin, the nigga goes on the sublims too shoot him on ”Fallin’ ”pfff, yo grab yo balls and spit it out…this nigga’s SCARED (c) 2Pac

  • URBAN SOCIAL

    say hello, say hello

  • URBAN SOCIAL

    say hello, say hello

  • T2

    Yeah Calvin Klien and Dehaven would make more sense of the track and I think that is who them shot were aimed at if he was dissing anybody.

    As for the best track on the album damn there are so many hot joints and I get addicted to a different joint of AG everyday I have changed my favorite track about 5 times at the moment though it is between

    Say Hello
    American Dreaming
    Success
    Fallin
    American Gangster
    No Hook

  • T2

    Yeah Calvin Klien and Dehaven would make more sense of the track and I think that is who them shot were aimed at if he was dissing anybody.

    As for the best track on the album damn there are so many hot joints and I get addicted to a different joint of AG everyday I have changed my favorite track about 5 times at the moment though it is between

    Say Hello
    American Dreaming
    Success
    Fallin
    American Gangster
    No Hook