Best of the Jay-Z Remixes

March 10th, 2004

OKAY. We remember 9th Wonder doing that mediocre remix of God’s Son last year. Then he sparked this year’s remix trend with the “Black is Back” remix of Jay-Z’s Black Album. That was followed by a few other remixes of the Black Album. So the other day I turn on MTV and they got the “Grey Album” kid up on there. Now there’s more remixes of an album we should have already forgot about. So as curious as I am, I went on a hunt to listen to as many of them as I could to see what the hype was about and make my own judgement. I couldn’t believe there was even a 640MB Jay-Z Construction Set filled with everything you need in order to make your own remix album.

Now, let me get into slight detail with each album. Every one of the remix albums that was just a blend album was just stupid and wack (why do it?). I must admit, The Grey Album, by Danger Mouse, was an ingenious idea but it seriously lacked in production and quality. The equalization was poor. The Brown Album just sounded like any other release from Kev Brown except this time Jigga was rhyming on his beats. It really didn’t work. Maybe for some other emcee it would’ve worked. After hearing 9th Wonder’s remix album I see why he got only one beat on the album. His second remix of Threat (third in total) was the best on his remix album but please someone give him drum samples. “Stop using the same kick and snare on every beat you ever make.” Kno’s “White Album” had some excellent moments but fell short on most songs. Kno did do one hell of a “Change Clothes” remix. The only remix of that song worth listening to…correct key and all. Now, each remix album had their own way of getting around the obstacle of “key”. Some tried to mask the singing tracks using certain lazy methods. Some just didn’t attempt or were ignorant to the concept. Danger Mouse dropped the melody and let the drums play when singing came on thus adapting to the obstacle. There were no successful remixes of any songs that had prominent singing (except Kno’s). The two remix albums I didn’t hear but wanted to were the Illmind remix album and the Cheap Cologne remix album. Apparently Cheap Cologne used beats made entirely from Metallica’s “Black Album”. Kardinal Offishall also did a his own dancehall/reggae remix of the Black Album. I don’t know what he was thinking. So overall I would have to say some remix albums had their moments but they all lacked in too many places. Kno’s was actually the most creative and probably your best bet. On “Lucifer” he did something worth checking that I won’t spoil. At one point I was going to make my own remix album but the hunt for the acapellas turned up with low quality rips and I don’t want to bug anyone to rip the LP for me. I did make a “Best of the Remix Albums” but like most i’ve seriously heard enough Jay-Z for any hip-hop fan. Thank you.

I feel like i’m filling in for “Brotha Afron“…hahaha

If you haven’t caught the Kanye video “This Way” featuring Dilated Peoples check it. Kanye also performed alongside Common on the Dave Chapelle show. The song is hot like Halle Berry in a catwoman suit. If you didn’t already know, Kanye is also doing Com’s entire new album.

Puffy is once again making money off of Biggie by releasing an album on BIG’s death anniversay. Puffy claims it’s to celebrate Bad Boys 10th anniversary. So why drop on March 9th? That’s almost as immoral as dropping a movie about Jesus on Ash Wednesday. What’s up with these promotion schemes?

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