What strangestdude said in addition to that,
Jay Z, just like Em, copied every fucking person before him. His flow isnt '"inimitable" like 'strangestdude' said. But just like Em, Jay Z knew how to...
copy well. But Em is better because Em works on pushing the boundaries of rap and takes it to higher levels. Jay Z just wanted to be paid well from the start. He wanted to be successful. And that passion was his only drive.
Jay-Z is a businessman
And that too is a copy. (Not that there is anything wrong with that) The personality/philosophy he embraced is called 'mafiosa rap'. Luxury, extravagance, fine wine etc
"I dumb down for my audience/and double my dollars/They criticize 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 mil)/ I aint been rhymin like Common since
In other words giving up his talent and artistry just to make hits. Or 'selling out'.
Not only this, there are many tracks where he has mentioned that he is a businessman rapping about business.if you look at his discography he started well with a classic album named "Reasonable Doubt" but then went commercial(relating to the lyrics i quoted) by hooking up with Puff Daddy though he still made some dope tracks until the Blueprint,thats when he came back true to himself.he tells his life stories through his rap and he does it uniquely.
The only argueably "unique" thing about him is; his cleverness in using his music ability to getting himself paid very well. And thats not a 'cleverness' I admire. And he's not a fucking boss. Cameljoe is yet another dick sucking puppet of the system.
You gon' have another drink or you just gon' baby-sit
On to the next one, somebody call the waitress
Baby I'm a boss, I don't know what they do
I don't get dropped, I drop the label
"you gon have another drink or you just gon baby sit"
Refers to those who work for the men running the industry meeting up with artistes and proposing contracts to sign that suits the agendas of the men running the music industry. "Having another drink" means accepting the contract and them ordering another round(presumably to toast) to signify it. "Baby sit" means not accepting the offer. Or mulling with the same glass over having not accepted it.
"I dont know what they do, I don't get dropped"
'
they' being the men who run the industry. "I dont get dropped" meaning he gets to keep on making music/stay at the top of the charts so long as he plays to their tunes.
That faggot deserves no place in this thread.