Jay-Z dropped the tea-spilling ‘4:44’ and everyone lost their damn minds
After weeks of hype and speculation, Jay-Z dropped his new album 4:44 last night exclusively on Tidal. 4:44 is the Brooklyn native’s first project in four years and… it’s a lot.
Backed by production from the legendary No I.D., Hov spits some grown man bars about everything from black-owned businesses, to the discontents of throwing money in a strip club, to his personal issues with his own marriage.
On 4:44, Hov spends a lot of time talking about spending your money responsibly and giving back to your own community, he also spills all the tea, dissing Kanye and Eric Benet on “Kill Jay Z.”
While it’s sad to see some of the greats feuding, especially two dudes who did so much great work together, someone had to say something about Kanye one of these days, and who better than the man Ye referred to as his big brother?
Jay-Z also speaks on his infidelity and the near deterioration of his marriage and for most people, that’s the biggest takeaway.
Obviously people were very focused on the drama of 4:44, and for good reasons, but it’s just dope to have Hov back. I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect from this album, Jay hasn’t put out the best music of his career lately.
4:44 feels like a return to form for Hov. We’re glad to have him back.
Of course, social media went into near meltdown mode over 4:44, we selected some of the highlights for you to sift through.
People are sick they don’t have Tidal
"Imma get a Tidal subscription and listen to Jay Z album legally"
My bank account: pic.twitter.com/HoYbdUryLm
— Legends (@LegendsofCH) June 30, 2017
Very sick
Reading y'all Jay Z lyric tweets, tryna imagine how the songs sound, since I don't have tidal. pic.twitter.com/05yC7Dmac8
— Drew Potter (@yalljust_myfans) June 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/GiftSama/status/880703684627369985
The shots at Kanye, though!
Kanye: I hit the gym all chest, no legs – 30 Hours
Jay Z: N**** is skipping leg days just to run they mouth – Bam
Hov the greatest 😂— Ayesha Go (@itsayeshago) June 30, 2017
SHEESH
When Kanye heard "Kill Jay Z" pic.twitter.com/U0KWVy1Fkx
— Spitta (@VuhSayCee) June 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/hancxck/status/880645364914810881
Hov really philosophizing out here
When Jay Z said "a loss ain't a loss it's a lesson, appreciate the pain it's a blessing" pic.twitter.com/VhrTH7IHUv
— Nonso X (@NonsoHendrix) June 30, 2017
The younger generations don’t even know
https://twitter.com/fivefifths/status/880774637432516608
Hov got the documentary bars on “The Story of O.J.”
Dead feel like Jay wrote the OJ song after watching OJ: Made in America
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) June 30, 2017
But was this “male Lemonade“?
https://twitter.com/__Dutch/status/880550739621314560
Regardless, it’s a must-listen
Just got home n I'm big trashed but I gotta sit criss cross apple sauce n listen to this new jay z
— zaytoven ibrahimović (@paulycristo) June 30, 2017
Poor Eric Benet was just living his life and then…
https://twitter.com/_rapdad/status/880682038617100289
Benet even responded, but Twitter was not letting him rock
Wife: "So you gone address what Jay said?"
Eric Benet: pic.twitter.com/yquL63CUJi
— X (@XLNB) June 30, 2017
A lot of people came for the tea…
me: "i'm not listening to 4:44 right now. i'll catch it later"
twitter: Jay Z just dissed the Kardashians
me: pic.twitter.com/oQfvmX2m16
— CHIKA 🌪 (@oranicuhh) June 30, 2017
But there was so much more…
https://twitter.com/A_GAME4Q/status/880758067255758850
Jay Z raps about black supremacy, black owned businesses, financial freedom for black people; and all y'all heard was how he cheated on B? pic.twitter.com/W8DY2jdnpM
— Yibanathi (@YibanathiJezile) June 30, 2017
GROWN MAN ISH!
https://twitter.com/BrownAlexandre2/status/880640136677117952
Me right now looking up stocks and investments I can afford after listening to the story of OJ by Jay z pic.twitter.com/BNtElU3olF
— n. (@Prechid) June 30, 2017
We don’t all need that though…
"Jay z trying to get us to grow up foh" – me returning to an empty house and ramen
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) June 30, 2017
No I.D. one of the GOATS
3rd time in 6 summers that a heavily No ID produced album is head and shoulders above everything else.
— 🦦✨America Is Musty✨🦦 (@DragonflyJonez) June 30, 2017
We do too Ferg, we do too
I love Jay Z
— FERG (@ASAPferg) June 30, 2017