Decoded: A Musical Journey with Jay-Z Part 3

Oh god Jay,
look out behind you!!!

Jay's first step into the world of recording was hanging out in London with Jaz while he worked on his first album. He had gotten a record deal off the success of Will Smith (aka the Fresh Prince) because EMI was looking to capitalize off other rappers.

Awful song. Jay is floating around the background.


Jay mentions this money making song from 1995, as he complains about the Cristal compay not vauling hip hop artist mentioning their product. He vows never to drink the champagne again.

According to Jay, this was the first video on MTV to feature rapping (in a loose sense) it also features an artist named Basquiat.

Lol yep, Blondie is rapping in this video.

Another track off The Black Album featuring Eminem.

Oops I guess Em just produced it. Good song though.

Jay talks about the plight of success, how people come gunning for you when you get to the top. He name checks Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Kurt Cobain.

Song features Chris Martin from Coldplay, and part of the song was used in the remix of the Coldplay song "Lost". Good song though.

Talking about Bobby Brown's rapid decline, Jay mentions this early hit of his.

Song is fucking awful. Funny dance moves though.

"Most Kings" also references this song.

Wow, so besides Ice-T, Vanilla Ice, and Ice Cube, there's also Just-Ice wft. Definately can see what Jay borrowed from this song.


Also deals with the troubles of success.
Jay references this Eminem song:

Em's songs are a lot sillier than Jay's.

Here's Jay actually collaborating with Eminem.

Despite the video mistitle, this is actually Jay featuring Eminem though Em totally steals the spotlight from Jay.
In his song Jay references Biggie, and here's him doing a track with Biggie.

Oh ya and Puffy's on here too.


I can.