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Jay-Z
Deep Cover

Friday Oct 6 3:25 PM CDT posted by xxl staff

jayhands.jpgWe never really believed him. Retirement? Sure, the day job at Def Jam made it more convincing, but this is Shawn “I can’t leave rap alone, the game needs me” Carter we’re talking about. He might have spent more time in flip-flops in the South of France, but nobody had to tell Hova to phone home. After he released two albums within a year of announcing his leave (Collision Course with Linkin Park and Unfinished Business with R. Kelly), we knew his “retirement” would be more like a sabbatical. Besides his album releases, Jigga selected a lucky few artists whom he would grace with his presence, dropping a surprising number of verses throughout the last three years. The results range from downright rusty to classic Hov. With his official comeback single dropping, we decided to take a look at Jay-Z’s retirement canon. Step back!

Young Gunz feat. Jay-Z “Never Take Me Alive” (2004)

In these two verses (which were probably recorded prior to the retirement) Jay sounds like he’s going through the motions. After this, he took the rest of the year off before coming back strong in ’05.

Quotable: “The Commission was our vision/We ain’t see it come to fruition/We ran out of time, damn.”

Jay-Z “Dear Summer” (2005)

543 was the title of the album, but it also ended up being the number of people who bought it for anything other than the Jay-Z song sandwiched between 13 forgettable Bleek tracks. It was worth it, though. This sentimental ode to his favorite season is Hov at his most thoughtful.

Quotable: “Niggas back up, they know I’m not no fronta/I don’t talk shit, I just flip and ‘Un’ ya/Sorry Lance, I’m just tryin’ to advance my quotes/I ain’t makin’ you the butt of my jokes.”

Snoop Dogg feat. Jay-Z & Pharrell “Drop It Like It’s Hot (Remix)” (2005)

Fresh off the tour with R. Kelly that ended with the infamous pepper-spray to the face incident, Jay flips Snoop’s “izzle” style and tells Kells to take his civil case and “drop it like it’s hot.”

Quotable: “Now I’m so fresh, you can smell me through a zip lock/Mr. S-Dizzot, it’s not gon’ stizzop/Too much pizzazz for these piss-ass niggas to get past/Too cool for cizzops to cuff his izz-ass”

Kanye West feat. Jay-Z “Diamonds Are Forever (Remix)” (2005)

Hova tries to hold the Roc together on one of his most memorable verses ever.

Quotable: “I ain’t a businessman, I’m a business, man/Let me handle my business, damn!”

Young Jeezy feat. Jay-Z “Go Crazy (Remix)” (2005)

Hova gets back to his d-boy roots and reminds the Snowman’s fans that he had Cristal in his speedboat before Puff was in that tub spillin’ Mo’. Go do your research!

Quotable: “More than a hustler, I’m the definition of it/Master chef, Lord of the kitchen cupboard.”

Mariah Carey feat. Jay-Z & Young Jeezy “Shake It Off (Remix)” (2005)

With run-of-the-mill punchlines and a dated reference to How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Jay seems to be missing some of his usual swagger on this white label–only remix.

Quotable: “The Emancipation of M-I-M-I/I spray Lamas rrrah, rrrrah/
Twenty worldwide nigga get your plaques/Guess who the fuck got his swagger back?”

Aztek & Jay-Z “Back Then (Freestyle)” (2005)

The Prez got in on ’05’s Houston craze by co-signing Roc-La-Familia’s new H-Town MC over Mike Jones’ whirling “Back Then” beat. Too bad for Aztek, because Hova still stole the show with an average verse.

Quotable: “You don’t want no problems nigga, be honest/Beyond this killer flow I gotta gotta piece I will squeeze on.”

Bun B feat. Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Pimp C & Z-Ro “Get Throwed” (2005)

Jay continues his Houston infatuation, but again, only manages to muster up an average verse in the midst of these Down South heavyweights.

Quotable: “I started with the block, hit it brick by brick/Then I charted with the ROC nigga, hit by hit/I’m retarded with the glock nigga, clip by clip.”

The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Jay-Z “Whatchu Want?” (2005)

Jay tries to rekindle the Commission magic on this Duets track and delivers a solid performance (even if Biggie still murders him with an old verse).

Quotable: “You based on us, you fiction/Your eights don’t bust, you a constant contradiction/Ladies please use contraception/Deception’s at an all-time high when sexin’.”

Jay-Z “44 Fours” (Live) (2006)

At the Reasonable Doubt 10th Anniversary concert Jay debuted this update on the clever “22 Twos” concept, which is rumored to also be a track on his new album.

Quotable: “Debut classic, first album 4 mics/I should have got a 5 but niggas lacked fore-sight.”

Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z & Young Jeezy “Hustlin’ (Remix)” (2006)

He might have never responded to Cam’s disses, but the subliminal references to Cam’s “chancletas” diss make this the next closest thing. Too bad he was too busy flipping Rick Ross’ lines to get truly focused.

Quotable: “We don’t resort to violence/We on resorts and islands.”

Pharrell feat. Jay-Z “Young Girl” (2006)

On another song that could have been recorded prior the retirement, this odd verse should have been used on an R. Kelly duet.

Quotable: “You’re 19?/No, you’re lightning in a bottle/I’ll give you a ring tomorrow.”

Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z “Déjà Vu” & “Upgrade You” (2006)


Hands down, two of Jay’s most awkward, cringe-worthy verses of all time. He alternates between jacking 50’s flow (the second verse on “Déjà Vu”) and rhyming like he’s been watching too much Sex & The City.

Quotable: “I don’t make the list, don’t be mad at me/I just make the hits like a factory.”

Lupe Fiasco feat. Jay-Z “Pressure” (2006)

Jay’s attempt to relate to Lupe’s dork rap persona sounds like a stretch, referencing Andy Warhol paintings and boasting about how he considers himself an “artiste.”

Quotable: “So the pen is mightier than the sword my lord/My first picture was a lineup, now I’m on the Forbes.”

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147 Comments »

October 6th, 2006
at 3:35 pm

alibaba says:

alibaba is first

November 1st, 2007
at 5:22 am

digahole99 says:

niggas dont listen to rap music they just skim thru it

 
 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:40 pm

Thugacation23 says:

Cant wait for the album hov

 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:41 pm

SONNY CHEEBA says:

SOme of those verse were better than ur giving them credit for…

 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:43 pm

n-i-2g-a says:

he’s still that nigga, haters gon hate

 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:44 pm

still p says:

jay-z got NY in his hand no shit nigga, nobdy take that from him

 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:48 pm

ALCALA says:

SOme of those verse were better than ur giving them credit

true

but should of stayed retired.ill still cop it though.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:50 pm

thebestout!! says:

1ST YOU BALL BANGERS!! THATS ALL PART OF BEIN’ THE GREATEST YOU GOTTA HAVE A FEW CHINKS IN YA’ ARMOR YA’ DIG!

ALI
ROCKY
BILL CLINTON
WHITNEY
DIANA ROSS
MICHAEL VICK
KELLS!!(NAW JUS’ PUT DAT ONE IN DERE!)

 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:51 pm

SUPERMAN says:

TO THE DIRTY SOUTH: HAND BACK THE CROWN, FOR GOOD!

 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:59 pm

kenny says:

WHEN CAN YALL BREAK DOWN SOME OF NAS SHIT SERIOUS HES APART OF HISTORY AND RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING NIGGAS STEP THEY RAPS UP DO YOUR RESEARCH

 

October 6th, 2006
at 3:59 pm

Sean says:

Forgot about Slim Thug’s “I Ain’t Heard of That” (Remix).

 

October 6th, 2006
at 4:03 pm

moore says:

ya i think sum of those verses are a lot better than you guys rated them

 

October 6th, 2006
at 4:11 pm

1098 says:

^^ co-sign

 

October 6th, 2006
at 4:14 pm

khal says:

nice one bfred.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 4:22 pm

Enlightened says:

THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NAS AND JAY-

You may not like some of Nas’ beats or song concepts, but he has never, I MEAN NEVER, spit a wack verse.

Jay-Z has several times.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 4:48 pm

Qwerty Mak says:

Im no Hater But… Jay-z has been spittin WACK shit since he retired… Sorry son NOT lookin forward towards ya album..

 

October 6th, 2006
at 4:50 pm

Scoot J says:

Wherefore art thou must keepeth hatin’ on thy mighty lord

Bless you all

 

October 6th, 2006
at 4:52 pm

SY Young says:

^^WHAT!!!!

 

October 6th, 2006
at 5:11 pm

Ctownrepresent says:

how you gon’ give Hov 2 outta 5 on the hustlin remix and then a 4 outta 5 on the go crazy remix, verse aint hot, i mean obviously 44 fours and Diamonds should be up there but damn.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 5:13 pm

Ctownrepresent says:

“don’t call it a comeback, i been here for years” haha get it? get em Hov

 

October 6th, 2006
at 5:13 pm

Ms. Ashlee says:

Where’s the Ricky Ross Hustlin’ remix at?

 

October 6th, 2006
at 5:14 pm

Ms. Ashlee says:

Never mind…

 

October 6th, 2006
at 5:23 pm

Atl's own says:

y’all trippin’ wit deez ratings!! and jigga is da fliest rapper in da norf!

and someone need to enlighten ENLIGHTENED, ya boy just dropped da ball on his wife song and need i mention
“I am..” and “Nastradamus”

 

October 6th, 2006
at 5:34 pm

Enlightened says:

ATL’S OWN
No, I don’t need to be enlightened. I said “WACK VERSE”. Tell me what verse is wack off either album. You may not like a song because of what he’s talking about or the beat, but his 16s are thorough. Do the research.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 5:36 pm

Enlightened says:

And his verse is tight as hell on “Blindfold Me”. It’s way tighter than Jay-Z’s verses on Deja Vu or any Beyonce tracks.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 5:49 pm

Mav says:

Enlightened, Nas has never spit a wack verse, but some of them beats make up for mothafuckas try can’t hold him down amongst a group cause his albums are lackluster. And still his one of The Greatest.

There is no album in his catalogue. That compare’s to STILLMATIC in completeness. And he won a whole coast of street niggas for good on that alone. Niggas that hated Nas had to BOWDOWN! JAY-Z will never be King he’s just a hustla try to get paid.
He just can fuck with Nas wack beats and all. And I never felt this way before I really didn’t care. Nas has something he don’t have to boast. He knows who he is, but I do love he flossed on that as for the world to see. What Jay said is not worth forgivin about that man’s personal life. And he let it go for these kid’s to see that two black men can work it out. Jay-Z saying what you said show your weakness and envy. I lost respect for you.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 6:22 pm

YIDIEL TRAVELMASTER says:

ONE OF THE BEST THAT EVER DID IT… I RESPECT THE PIONEERS, BUT HOV HAS ENCAPSULATED HIP-HOP TO THE FULLEST… THATS WHY HE IS ALWAYS A TARGET FOR SO MANY… HE IS AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME AND SO MANY NIGGAS HATE IT… I LOVE HATERZ!!! LOL

DO THAT SHIT HOV!!!
(THAT’S A HOT HOOK FOR A SONG TOO!!!)

 

October 6th, 2006
at 6:27 pm

sandino says:

Lupe killed son on that song(not like it was hard)

 

October 6th, 2006
at 6:42 pm

Jay says:

1st motha fucka….haha i just had to say that.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 6:45 pm

LONZO says:

Post Blueprint Jay-Z is way overrated, real talk. I would rather listen to Pre-Bluprint Jay-Z any day!……now he all about fukin resorts and name brand purses. He should of stayed retired.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 7:00 pm

L.A.'s Finest says:

Jay-Z is hard!!!!!

 

October 6th, 2006
at 7:11 pm

Pete Lastname says:

I give the Lupe one a higher rating, and a different quotable.

“leave dudes paranoid, if not paralyzed. which means you can’t walk in my shoes / so much green, you can’t talk in my hue”

myspace.com/petelastname1

 

October 6th, 2006
at 7:30 pm

REY THE JEDI says:

Wasn’t the Bleek album “534″, not “543″? *sweats* *eats queso frito*

 

October 6th, 2006
at 7:37 pm

VICK says:

Shits tight Jay-z Is a Tru MC

 

October 6th, 2006
at 7:48 pm

moe_money says:

I knew he was going to come back. I hope he change the game up with the new album. Dont let it be a compulation album with everybody on it. Dont come out with that soft sh*t and that change cloths sh*t. Leave pharrell out of it this time!

 

October 6th, 2006
at 7:59 pm

$tarchild says:

Nas has spit some wack verses: You Owe Me, Oochie Wally and some other shit..

Yaull really aint give him enough credit on alot of those verses: Get throwed was way betta than yaull said, Upgrade U

 

October 6th, 2006
at 8:13 pm

DIAZ says:

let thy kingdome come go into my cd player for the rest of my life

 

October 6th, 2006
at 8:22 pm

content says:

nas would be tight if he would stop trying to prove he’s so fuckin’ smart. dude be jukin’ himself lyrically and ends up fuckin’ up the flow

 

October 6th, 2006
at 8:33 pm

the south says:

kingdom come can go straight to hell. the biting king is back boys and girls, open ur hip-hop libraries up and i bet u u can find every last beat on his garbage ass album someone else did it already. bite on some chips or a sandwich, not other rappers. it’s funny how jay leaches himself onto south rappers for a hit, anyone else notices this? and that dear summer verse was WAY OVERRATED!! the diamonds are forever remix was kool. i’ll be burning this album, no stores for this album, PLEASE LEAK IT!!!

 

October 6th, 2006
at 8:52 pm

Spark says:

Jay Hova is the Pope or rap. music period

 

October 6th, 2006
at 8:57 pm

Silk Hash Mills says:

give this dude a blog..

 

October 6th, 2006
at 9:39 pm

the south says:

OH, AND LOOK AT THE DATES, the ratings get lower and lower……guess what that means? that’s right, the album will suck, just like beyonce trying to get a new dress outta him. when does nas drop?

 

October 6th, 2006
at 9:46 pm

YungWil says:

YO wut about the ‘Bumpin My Music’ verse wit Ray Cash n Scar Face

‘cuz i kill at will like solid water dude/yall niggas dont getit, kill at will solid water icecube’

GENIUS!!!

 

October 6th, 2006
at 10:50 pm

Matthew Simon says:

all yall idiots who say Jay had a wak verse, he can’t always wrap about what you want him to. Thats what makes him they greatest. Lupe didn’t kill him on that song idiots he did a whole analogy of the pen being mightier than the sword, and the best line most probably missed. “if you force my hand/ i’ll be forced to draw /if the war calls for warhols(wikipedia.com famous artist who painted pop culture murals)/ hope you got enough room on your halls walls.” follow his flow and he you and ask yourself how the pen being mightier than the sword relates to the entire verse every line and it will make sense, for those who don’t get it go listen to dem franchise boys cause real hip hop ain’t for you.

 

October 6th, 2006
at 10:53 pm

Nawshus says:

lets think now people everyone says jay been a bad promoter but the people he doin songs with is his way of promoting and he cant outshine these cats so bad that you only think about jay on the song its a feature not a headline remember that and he only makes the singles to keep the register jingling

 

October 6th, 2006
at 11:05 pm

MoneyMakin'Mitch says:

Y’all some haters. Y’all didn’t give enough credit to a lot of his verses. It’s funny 2 me how a muthafucka that don’t rap can rate another man’s ability…

 

October 6th, 2006
at 11:06 pm

Killa says:

gay-z new single is wackkkkkkkkkk

 

October 6th, 2006
at 11:39 pm

Yungstar says:

MoneyMakin’Mitch
”It’s funny 2 me how a muthafucka that don’t rap can rate another man’s ability…”

^^
hahaha, your a stupid ass, maybe we shouldn’t say who’s dope anymore.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 1:23 am

REAL TALK says:

DAT SHIT WAS TIGHT..HOV HASNT FELL OFF 1 BIT..U CANT LOSE UR RAPPIN ABILITY IN LESS DEN A YEAR..ALBUMS GON B FIYAH..

 

October 7th, 2006
at 1:56 am

Face Phoenix says:

Jay-Z - One of the greatest as well as one of the most highly overrated MC’s of all time. Will Jay return with some hot material - of course he will. Will he return with a classic - only time will tell. Riding on the Prod. Muscle of Dre, J. Blaze, Timbaland & Kanye will secure some sells but will he blindside us with a banger like 99 prod by Rick Rubin. Will he go strictly for the glitz and glamour or the Gutter and Gully. Can he evolve into something more?

 

October 7th, 2006
at 2:19 am

tha realist says:

“i swear jay-z isnt tha greatest rapper,,,”i hate muthafuckas thnkn hes tha greatest,mayb in tha east hes tha best ,but out here in tha west coast,not even close,he a pop artist,FUCK GAY Z

 

October 7th, 2006
at 2:20 am

Enlightened says:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Co-Sign everything - except I’m one of the niggas that didn’t really like 99 problems (until I saw the making of the video).

 

October 7th, 2006
at 3:38 am

C.KAne says:

This is THE reason why I dont read opinions before i cop music….yall missed all the internal schemes and alotta other meanings laced here…must have been a rush job cause usually yall on.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 3:50 am

Ether says:

Tha Realist, You A Stupid Fuck. Jay’ll Kill Every West Coast Rapper Lyrically Anyday.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 6:32 am

SUPERMAN says:

Overrated

 

October 7th, 2006
at 7:00 am

larryfromphilly says:

its on camron better count the days he u got two months you rappers better start writting cause HIS BACKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

October 7th, 2006
at 9:45 am

Prince Of The South says:

Everybody better make sure their bars are on point and they singles are hot because HOVA back and he eating off everyone plate. All the Nas better than Jay crap, this will end it. Who signed who, who’s the boss and who’s the artist? Nas works for Jay like it or not. Nas won the Battle Jay won the war.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 10:03 am

Enlightened says:

PRINCE OF THE SOUTH -
That proves that Jay-Z is a better business man. Nobody said he wasn’t.
But as an MC, as a lyricist, he can’t fuck with Nas. Never could. That’s what we’re saying.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 10:38 am

PRINCE CEASAR says:

Jay-Z is not thorought anymore, that nigga is making alot of bullshit, go back to that volume 2 flow and touch on some real shit..no one cares about how good of a rapper u are or how money u have. C’mon Hov…u turned into a lame. 1

 

October 7th, 2006
at 11:00 am

john cochran says:

I dont think he was able to keep up with lupe on “pressure”. While I’m on the subject, listening to Lu’s flow I can see alot of Jigga influence. He just has different subject matter. I’m not crowning himthe next Jigga or nothing, but he got definite potential to make a classic one day. As for Kingdom come, my copy gonna stay right on the shelf in FYE.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 11:15 am

DEADAN KIMATHI 2 says:

Tha whole world knows who tha realest just listen to ether by nas and niggas gon give him real credit.Even fifty looks like customised shit.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 11:15 am

DEADAN KIMATHI 2 says:

Tha whole world knows who tha realest just listen to ether by nas and niggas gon give him real credit.Even 50 cent looks like customised shit.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 11:26 am

AOK says:

HAHAHA….I like how dudes is up here strrrretchin’ not give Jay-z his props..LOL.

First off…Nas never had a wack verse?? Come on now Nas had plenty of lackluster verses…Oochie Wally…You Owe Me…Hot Boys(remix), etc.

Secondly, Stillmatic is HIGHLY overrated..great lyrics..shitty production.

Jay is the most consistent rapper of all time….he’s consistently hot. Nas had him against the ropes with Ether but he couldn’t deliver the knooch out blow to the canvas.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 11:37 am

Stax On Deck says:

Jigga man still doin his thang, but he should have never retired. Why dude tryna be some MJ shyt?…Trippin 4real

 

October 7th, 2006
at 12:04 pm

ace says:

NAS is Coming….!!!FUCK!!!…right after Kingdom Come…

 

October 7th, 2006
at 1:52 pm

h-town says:

maybe jay’s album will sound better chopped and screwed…..and maybe i’ll go get wisdom teeth pulled….. jim jones P.O.M.E nov 7 HOT!!!
Crap-dom come….stay on that shelf and chill next to the roots, method man, lupe and the pathetic memph weak….hip hop isn’t dead, just the roc and def jam

 

October 7th, 2006
at 3:49 pm

The Notorious reborn says:

This niggar could never see me! I am the orginal and only king of NY. Fuck Hov, Nas, 50…Anyone! Including the westcoast. I am the GOAT and i CANNOT be fucked with. This bitch is warming my throne until i return.

The Notorious Buisness Instead of Game. AKA The greatest to ever play this shis….period

 

October 7th, 2006
at 3:59 pm

Killa says:

STOP BEING GAY-Z DICK RYDERS THIS SHIT IS WACK PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

Jay is gonna have to come better than that.The beat is garbage and he doesn’t even flow well over it.Not feeling it.

this is suppose to be a come back…come on..you can do better then that

hov been overrated his whole career and this shit prove it i’m telling you this cd will sale but it will disappiont

 

October 7th, 2006
at 4:23 pm

A.J. says:

First off, the Upgrade, Pressure, Hustlin’ and Young Girl should be rated higher in my opinion.
Secondly, Jay hasn’t fell off come on nah hip hop is dying listen to all these wack ass dancing songs on the radio, the shit is pityful.
Lastly, him and Nas are equals in my eyes, aqnd are together now any way and both will sell, but I personally like Hov better.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 6:18 pm

nellz says:

i agree wit killa…that nigga way overrated. Almost every verse he spit this year has been ass…maybe except the verse on the lupe joint.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 6:31 pm

Tef says:

A mann, people really aint giving ma mann da props he deserve. He been consistent for 10-11 yrs. Setting trends, and just killin’em in all aspects of rap. Hands down he’s the best ever. “its never been a nigga this good for dis long”

 

October 7th, 2006
at 7:36 pm

che says:

First off, I must admit I’m a pretty big jay-z fan, but i’ma be brutally honest about these verses.

Never take me alive - 2/5

Dear Summer - 1/5

Drop it like it’s hot - 3/5

Diamonds are forever - 5/5

Go Crazy - 5/5

Shake it off - 0/5

Back then freestyle - 4/5

Get throwed - 5/5

Whatchu want - 6/5 (no typo)

44 fours - 5/5

Hustlin (remix) - 3/5

Young girl - 1/5

Deja vu - 2/5

Upgrade U - 4/5

Pressure - 1/5

I think it’s fair to say they’ve been pretty hit and miss. The upgrade u verse is underrated, it starts off slowly but it goes from 0-100 after the ‘your new purse’ line.

 

October 7th, 2006
at 7:37 pm

Mj says:

I hope Hova’s new album don’t be sugercoated. I hope it be like his first one. But I can’t wait until the “Kingdom Come.” Come out

 

October 8th, 2006
at 3:51 am

Georgia Slim says:

JAY-Z WILL HAVE A GOOD ALBUM, BUT WANT FUCK WITH THE SOUTH’S CROWN. P.S. LONG LIVE THE SOUTH

 

October 8th, 2006
at 4:53 am

G-UniteyeGotchaBack says:

October 10 go get ROTTEN APPLE to witness HIP HOP’s RESURRECTION!

 

October 8th, 2006
at 4:54 am

haha says:

i think that the verse on pressure deserve at least a 4/5.its all about painting that picture:
“so the pen is the mightier than the sword my lord
my first picture was a line up…now im on the Forbes
and i still remain an artist through these all
if you force my hand ill be forced to draw
If the war calls for Warhols
Hope you got enough space on your hall’s walls
I make niggas murals
, then escape the bureau’s
investigation, out in Europe on vacation”

dear summer also deserves at least 4/5
go crazy-5/5 especially together with all the lines that were cut out of the version that went into jeezy’s album

hustling remix-4/5-very effective.he got his shit across without having to do much

 

October 8th, 2006
at 7:28 am

rap-artis says:

For all o’ those in the “Fuck Nas Coallation”, just remember two words: “FUCK JAY-Z”
Ha ha ha ha.
I ain’t never gonna buy this rat’s album. Never did and never won’t.

 

October 8th, 2006
at 11:11 am

Chuck E says:

Ya’ll forgot about the verse on the Mary J Blige album, can’t remember the name

 

October 8th, 2006
at 1:07 pm

BatmanLeo1 says:

Jay-z is alright but he isn’t to me as good as niggas up north make him out to be!

 

October 8th, 2006
at 5:07 pm

i rep the Bay i dont rep califooornia! says:

i catch her on the flipside before i flip her/ smashing derriere backside attack the rear/ i let the cooch heat up and marinade/ sizzling uh, i slide in ejaculate/ pull out, reinsert in the oral, wait/ no teeth baby straight lips and tongue/ let me be ur idol, haha william hung/ king kong aint got shit on me i’m hung/ i aint vince young but i run through ur walls/ late night calls, make it rain like water falls/ i’m hot dammit, i make ur water burn/ cheem the dreem ha, i light the fire uuuuuugggh.

 

October 8th, 2006
at 5:34 pm

Ya'llNIGGAZ says:

Jay is alright but he aint no hip hop juggernaught

 

October 8th, 2006
at 6:01 pm

$tephflow says:

yo ya reely hatin on Jay xxl. dat upgrade u verse is oh so serious…n 4 all ya dat think jay aint kill nas look at xxl top 10 diss recoreds n guess who numba 1?? I guess jay reely lyk bein on top…

 

October 8th, 2006
at 6:09 pm

kennan says:

jay z is god! fuck whatever the rest of you negative ass pricks say! tupac, biggie, pun… ain’t none of em got shit on jay, just cos they dead don’t mean shit. anyway fuck all that, buy some of these bitches at http://www.celebrityslavetrade.com

 

October 8th, 2006
at 7:36 pm

Mav says:

I love this with a passion everylasting and eveready crooked to the game and my status is hella steady incrediable serve game, professional murder m’ain, hittin like a catagory 5 hurricain, but when flood the block, it will never be clean again, drugs to cop feinds will never need cream, now I’m about to start to have ends 1million, 2million, 3million, yen, 4million, Quin! 1album prediction world picking on all this pimpin, ain’t no game like Frisco Game, the same from Spain to Spokane, me not being a nigga is not realistic, you play crazy, but you not artistic, my staticis a hundred million alone, still on my grind still gettin on,

Just like crack I cook up, gats that’ll raised the roof up, I’m the true, I’ll blaze the booth up,
Probelms you can’t solve at all,
Why you gon fall, it’s a done deal.
Repeat Chrous
Whoa! We go way out in it, a party is not a party if the bay not in it,
Yo! We stay out in it, ride Esacalade with K’s out in it, Yo Hollywood it’s ya’ boy, Quin, take a stand and that’s for sure, I got the pure to get us throught any door, fly on lear jets to sell to any store, the other M.C. won’t sell anymore, cause they got not lie’s to tell anymore, I got the supplies to survive any war, you ain’t fresh as me, you ain’t fresh as I, the whole California will testify, a war with me will cost ya’ Shawn, punks won’t to play around until they layed out flat, bitches outside yelling why you play like that,

Repeat Chrous

My buisness is offical my pistol is gonna pop, don’t let me come to you and kill you on the drop or put you on the spot, For a lifetime my hand is gonna cock on that line, Bowlow cross the that line with your life sign, You ain’t greater than me, more Boss Playa than me, Keep it more gangtsa than me, You way later than me, You talk instead of walking the beat, You sound like a hater to me,
Your advisor bet not come alone and try to challenge authority, Know dam well they don’t want to be in a war with me, When I catch them strecth them out accordinly, it not new been gangtsa before the beat, not fun in games I’m about dollars and change, it’s away of life I doubt if I change.
Problems you can’t solve at all it’s a Done Deal.
Like the crack I cook up, gats that will raise the roof up, I’m the true I’ll blaze the booth up,
It’s a DONE DEAL!

THE MIGHTY SAN QUINN!
ALBUM: THE ROCK
FRISCO, CALIFORNIA HARDCORE SHIT!

Jay-Z is a WALL STREET cat not nigga in the trenches. To thin to win and To light to Fight!

 

October 8th, 2006
at 8:45 pm

GAGE(new improved Jay-z) says:

every verse y’all put up here is better than any 50 cent sing-a-long tracks and all these other snap your fingers laffy taffy and the worst chicken noodle soup songs that came out since he retired… my question is stop being a hater and just listen to good music and hip hop’s best

roc-a-life

http://www.myspace.com/therealgage

 

October 8th, 2006
at 9:02 pm

Swoll' says:

u look ty.

 

October 8th, 2006
at 9:22 pm

Leonard Wilson Jr says:

THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NAS AND JAY-

You may not like some of Nas’ beats or song concepts, but he has never, I MEAN NEVER, spit a wack verse.

Jay-Z has several times.

You are a liar. I support Jay-Z and Nas and by far Nas has been spitting weak verses sense after Illmatic. Let’s be real. Almost every Nas guess verse since Illmatic has been garbage or mediocrre. Yes he’s an ill lyricist but he does not get amped up enough to drop stellar lines each and every single time.

 

October 8th, 2006
at 9:47 pm

jon jon--23 says:

The most overrated rapper of all time.

 

October 9th, 2006
at 12:13 am

Kanye says:

THAT FUCK’N JAY-Z SONG IS FUNNY & WACK AZ HELL

HAHAHAHAHA SHOW ME WHAT U GOT LIL MAMA HAHAHAHAHAHAH SHOW ME WHAT U GOT BIRD LADY..SHOW ME WHAT U GOT SHORTY..SHOW ME WHAT U GOT BABY..HAHAHAHAHAHA HANDS UP WAVE WAVE WAVE WAVE HAHAHAHAHAH THATS NOT JAY-Z MAN HAHAHAHAHA OOOOOOOOO SHIT….OMFG…..HAHAHAHAHA WHAT HAPPEN 2 JAY SUM BODY PLEASE TELL ME HAHAHAHA HIS AS DEN WENT POP ON A NIGGA WTF…HE MY AZ WELL GOT DOWN SOUTH AND HANG OUT WITH D4L AND THE YING YANG TWINS HAHAHAHAHA…WHEN THEY WAS DO’N THE COUNT DOWN AND SAID JAY-Z WAS THE NUM 1 RAPPER OF ALL TIME….”HE TOOK IT TO HIS HEAD”…BUT HOVI’S BAC HAHAHAHA

 

October 9th, 2006
at 12:39 am

zues21 says:

r u crazy the verse he spit with the young gunz was crazy and the verse he spit wit bun b was crazy

 

October 9th, 2006
at 6:33 am

Y.Schemmp says:

altough he doesnt put the hardest work in these guest appearances,these verses are damn fucking professional!

cant wait for Kingdom Come//
cause he`s been the one,//
since pac and big died,he brings the bombs//

 

October 9th, 2006
at 7:04 am

Ghost Of 2Pac says:

Damn! If you gonna to do it! Do it right man! Come on Jay! I’m lookin’ at ya! You better come back hard!

 

October 9th, 2006
at 7:56 am

BlaQ says:

youre crazy if youre saying his verse on beyonce’s “upgrade u” was wack. that was one of his sickest verses in a while. the flow needed bed rest…stop hating!

 

October 9th, 2006
at 8:38 am

gutta says:

who are these people that rate the albums and verses here? go crazy remix was not jay’s best verse nor his only hot verse. you obviously dont really listen to the lyrics, you just hear them like billy hoyle.

 

October 9th, 2006
at 8:42 am

rizzop says:

His verses are so lame that you still gotta menton em? Sounds like you go tha itis homie. He got you so full you sleepin…

 

October 9th, 2006
at 8:56 am

Ghost Of 2Pac says:

Yeah! I said it! I been gone for 10 years now. And none of ya niggas show me what ya got! Jay, man I’ve gone but I still see all! Now “Show Me What You Got”!

 

October 9th, 2006
at 9:02 am

Atl's own says:

jay-z will do a mil +! Nas won’t cum close cause Newyorkers don’t buy albums, and they the only ones that would even go to the part of the store where nas albums are sold! haha hata’s long live the SOUTH hoe! Dungeon Family 4 life!

 

October 9th, 2006
at 9:03 am

LANDIGGY says:

that new jay-z song was soooooooooowack and I like jay but damn come on man i felt ashamed for him when i heard that hot garbage. But that song with bun-b he should
have got a 5/5 on that one.”i’m retarted with the glocc nigga clip by clip competetion is none they decease to exsit.

 

October 9th, 2006
at 10:24 am

Diggy Doc (aka Lil Louch) says:

Hov nice, but dont get me wrong, he wouldnt be where he at now if BIG was still alive. If you pay attention, thats when the south started making there mark wit no limit and cash money. There was really nobody left to carry the torch but Hov. If the LOX was on ruff ryders then, it wouldve been something, but PUFF didnt promote the album right because he was too busy getting his solo project out(remember he won a grammy off NO WAY OUT) imean Jigga is dat nigga but when u listen to Jeezy’s remix and Hov mention Puff in the tub spillin Mo. That was the Big Poppa video and then on the Blueprint song Hola Hovito he say “and IF i aint betta than BIG, Im the closest one” it sounded to me like he think he is, he’s just leaving it for debate and i dont like that shit. The game had already lost Pac(even tho i think he had fell off since he aint do shit but scream and yell on every track basically) and now BIG was gon. Wont nobody left but Hov. And to all yall dummies who think dis nigga neva wrote shit, dats bullshit imean he got the shit from BIG because he once said he didnt write, but to be honest, its just been too much hot shit for a nigga to not have wrote down nothin. i mean even if 90-95 of the shit has really come off top of the dome hell some was written down and i just cant see how niggas believe that he aint neva wrote shit.

MY POINT IS HOV SHOULD BE WHERE HE IS NOW BECAUSE HE WAS ALL THE GAME HAD WHEN BIG DIED. HAD PUFF KEPT BEING THE CEO INSTEAD OF DANCING THE FUCK AROUND ALL OVER THE STAGE WIT MASE BAD BOY WOULDNT HAVE NEVA FELL OFF BECAUSE LOX WAS THE HOTTEST THING GOING. PUFF HELD THEM BOYS BACK BECAUSE THEY AINT WANNA DANCE AND WHERE THE SHINY ASS SUITS AND SHIT. IF HE COULD TAKE THAT SHIT BACK NOW AND DO IT OVER, HE WOULD BECAUSE WIT NO LIMIT AND CASH MONEY ALL THAT DANCING AND SHIT WAS OVA IT WAS STR8 GUTTA MUSIC AND COULDNT NOBODY DELIVER IT THEN OR NOW LIKE THEM D-BLOCK BOYS

 

October 9th, 2006
at 12:08 pm

Rodjilius says:

da album isnt gonna be all that but its gonna be ok

 

October 9th, 2006
at 12:31 pm

LANDIGGY says:

true

 

October 9th, 2006
at 12:42 pm

soulrise says:

how is his verse on the “bumpin my music” remix not included in this list? one of his greatest post-”retirement” guest verses.

 

October 9th, 2006
at 1:18 pm

B-boy says:

Hova keep doing yo thing spittin your hot verses to make these rookies hotter

 

October 9th, 2006
at 1:41 pm

Rey says:

The Pressure verse was hot! Ya’ll are too used to that down south abc 123 rap if you can’t appreciate that. It’s motherfuckers like you that make it impossible for any kind of intelligent rap, or ignorant gun rap done at a higher level of lyricism, to be the norm.

 

October 9th, 2006
at 1:45 pm

tender_t says:

u gotta put more on go crazy remix!! his verses were hard, some of the best id ever heard from him, cmon holmes!

 

October 9th, 2006
at 2:11 pm

LANDIGGY says:

on that crazy verse he sound gay “homey it’s hoooooooova”

 

October 9th, 2006
at 5:40 pm

STL says:

Go crazy was his best, “Homie its Hova”

 

October 9th, 2006
at 8:12 pm

ahmed says:

Lloyd Banks - Rotten Apple
In Stores 10-10-06

include the Smash hits:
Cake,Hands up , Ice Man

Appearence by: G Unit, Rakim,
Scarface, 8Ball, Spider Loc
and many more……..

Go cop it

 

October 9th, 2006
at 9:40 pm

rico says:

Didnt they miss his verse on MJB’s album?

 

October 9th, 2006
at 10:20 pm

The Originator says:

Every verse he ever spit as a active, and retired rapper SUCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just By The name “Kingdom Come” tells you that the next Jay-Z LP is going to be BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay-Z is the most overated and probably the weakest commercial/street rapper of all time!

 

October 9th, 2006
at 10:41 pm

Enlightened says:

Leonard Wilson Jr-
There is a middle ground between “stellar” and “wack.”
I never said every Nas verse was tight as hell, I just said they weren’t wack.
If you’re a great lyricist, you shouldn’t drop a wack verse. Every verse won’t be your best, but they shouldn’t be wack.

 

October 10th, 2006
at 12:50 am

ratedxlex says:

How could they forget the bumpin my musix remix.

 

October 10th, 2006
at 5:46 am

RealTalkNY says:

Already made a video with all the verses combined and video of the performance of 44 4s

http://realtalkny.blogspot.com/2006/10/jay-z-retirement-recap-all-his-verses.html

 

October 10th, 2006
at 6:50 am

Ceddy P says:

Jay-Z…you da truth keep droppin hits fuck da hataz ya dig

 

October 10th, 2006
at 9:58 am

DaKingJHosa says:

Fuck this nigga and his bitch ass comeback real niggaz know this nigga a fake and a fraud and he just a stealin ass nigga who cant make his own raps…stay out the rap game nigga

 

October 10th, 2006
at 10:40 am

joe williams says:

HE NOT READY FOR LUDA, THE SOUTH RUN THIS

 

October 10th, 2006
at 11:47 am

pk47 AKA prince of philly says:

they obviously dont know about six figga niggaz w/ too short

 

October 10th, 2006
at 1:26 pm

DEEZZS NUTS says:

J Z CAN’T TOP NAS’S NEW ALBUM THATS Y HE IS PUTTING HIS ALBUM OUT 1ST

JZ KNOWS THIS

 

October 10th, 2006
at 1:59 pm

jon-jon 23 says:

Jay Z has always been overrated and pretty soon people will beg him to stay retired.

 

October 10th, 2006
at 3:58 pm

AJTHROWBACK says:

I think that I’d probably agree with most of these assessments of his verses except the one from “Never Take Me Alive” from the Young Gunz’s first album. They should’ve rated that one a little higher than they did, particularly the first verse that he spit on that song. Also, they should have mentioned his verses from “Never Let Me Down” from Kanye’s first album. Best lines he spit were the last two of the song: “Hov’s a living legend and I’ll tell you why/Everybody wanna be Hov and Hov still alive…”

 

October 10th, 2006
at 8:22 pm

DJ says:

i dont mean to sound like a hater i do like jay-z but da nigga startin to become annoying like make up your mind stay or go jeezeus. i mean i do like him but dawg after da blueprint i thot ud stop(seein how eminem ATE HIS ASS UP on renegade)

 

October 10th, 2006
at 8:23 pm

DJ says:

and nas is way better on every level of rapping

 

October 11th, 2006
at 12:03 am

Trae Bizzo says:

YAWWWWN!! When does Nas Drop

 

October 11th, 2006
at 12:39 am

1stDown(Markous) says:

Jay Z (Biggie-Rakim) is the greatest rapper of all time. Nas is decent just because he use big words dont mean he nice no one understands. Jay Z is goin to F*&ckin Shanghai China Sellin Out. Man Yall Our Wack. I bet your favorite rapper says a rhyme about wanting to be Jay Z

-Streets Disciple = Flop
-I Am - Wack

 

October 11th, 2006
at 11:11 am

CJ says:

Jay already told and showed yall that he knows how to keep the registers ringing. Man cut it out; that man is a fucking Genius and the new single is hot! I’m from the south and yall know the south got the music game on lock right now. I am all snapped out. It’s overdue for some new music and who better to takeover again than Jay. Stop the hate! It aint cute.

 

October 11th, 2006
at 11:28 am

lazarus says:

Whoeva reviewed these song doesn’t have the slightes clue about lyrics and style, please get some hip-hop heads to do the math….

 

October 11th, 2006
at 11:56 am

pk47 AKA prince of philly says:

anybody that sincerely believes that hova is the G.O.A.T…………….should end up in the hudson

 

October 11th, 2006
at 9:46 pm

Jeff says:

To whoever brought up the Bumpin’ My Music verse (all three of you):

The reason it’s not included in XXL’s be-all-end-all compendium might be the fact that it’s taken from Missy’s album Under Construction…from 2003.

 

October 11th, 2006
at 10:09 pm

now or never coming soon says:

never take me alive was better than most of them songs hov killed it

“this is war my niggas yall niggas is drawn like cartoon figures”

But young chris almost killed hov on that joint

young chris(of the young gunz) solo album now or never coming in 2007

 

October 12th, 2006
at 2:40 am

AMEN says:

2 presidential seals for Pressure with Lupe…U must be buggin. I don’t think you understand what he was saying in that verse…that must be one of his craziest ‘easter eggs’ ever. U gotta still gotta b lookin for it, cus that verse is an easy 4 seals…

 

October 12th, 2006
at 2:40 am

Gutta the GREAT! says:

JAY SHOULD HAVE GOT 5 EMBLAMS FOR THE GO CRAZY REMIX..MY VIEW ONE OF HIS BEST VERSES EVER!!!!!!!!!

THE DOPE BOYS GO CRAY-Z/WHEN THEY HEAR THAT BOY…JAY-Z

 

October 12th, 2006
at 11:49 am

Danja29 says:

Enlightened… you are LUNCHIN’… Nas never spit a wack verse… STOOOOP PLAYIN’. Oh hell yeah, he has.

And agreed, I might a fan of Hov but I can admit when homie comes with some half-assed shit. His appearances on the Beyonce joints were no “Crazy In Love”, and I’m still scratchin’ my head over that shit he dropped on the “Shake it off” joint. And I don’t really remember that “Back Then” freestyle bein’ anything to behold. Same for the “Young Girl” rhyme.

But at the same time- how crazy is it that we’re sittin’ here dissecting every word and line that he spits at this point? That’s how you know someone has truly left their mark.

 

October 15th, 2006
at 3:10 am

X says:

Jay-Z Kills The Microphone On The Regular.

Yes, The Beyonce Verses Were Some Shit.

 

October 16th, 2006
at 2:39 pm

Dion From (detroit)delray on vanderbilt says:

none of the verses were very live just all ok. and the ones somone would say was live it was cuz of the beats like “hustlin” and the lupe fiacso beat and that “never take me alive” when he rapes without a beat on 44 fours it has a good concept but the niggas thats in love with beats woulda skip that track all of them were ok but nothin more nothin less-

 

October 16th, 2006
at 2:39 pm

Dion From (detroit)delray on vanderbilt says:

none of the verses were very live just all ok. and the ones somone would say was live it was cuz of the beats like “hustlin” and the lupe fiacso beat and that “never take me alive” when he rapes without a beat on 44 fours it has a good concept but the niggas thats in love with beats woulda skip that track all of them were ok but nothin more nothin less-

 

October 17th, 2006
at 1:40 pm

latinpistol says:

yo jay that strait new york shit. don hate. jay the don of this rap shit

 

October 19th, 2006
at 9:24 am

X says:

Jay-Z’s verse on “Pressure” was way above par & deserves a stronger ranking. Also, you guys at XXL left out his verse on the Win or Lose Remix, but do not bother listing it if you are going to give it a rank of 5. Him & Nas did that track justice. Follow My Lead.

 

October 19th, 2006
at 9:20 pm

youngghetto says:

man the nigga worth 350mil who cares if he hot or not the real life is the real life man. nas might hav a couple mil and jay could damn near by the south. yall not listening to what this man is saying. but niggas hate what they cant understand.

 

October 23rd, 2006
at 1:11 pm

Gutta Aka paper boy says:

He aint neva betta than 2-pac and biggie he been bitten my niggas listen to jim jones shit ” Imma bitta not a writta”. Im not counting him out thought. Jay be on some bounty hunter killa shit. I under-estimated U boy. Neva say you out the game again.A nigga almost pissed and missed on his self.
Who the fuck is gutta. Boy sit the fuck down!!!!

 

October 23rd, 2006
at 1:29 pm

the brown heron says:

sean carter the hustler jayz hova hovi whatever you call him dude str8 fooled everyone without foolin

 

October 24th, 2006
at 6:39 pm

tru 2 da pallets says:

amn what the fuck ya’ll talking bout ya boy for man all ya’ll nigga’s is full shit jigga is the shit man and i got a wack verse for you that nas did that oochie wally shit and when that nigga try to kick knowledge to a nigga and shit i got a damn father if i want to hear a man give me some damn advice not some damn artist who all he want’s to be is a record label bitch and not have his own shit aint nothing sadder than an old ass rapper who suppose to have all this damn money but is still looking for a big label to sign his broke ass(busa bus,nas,mobb deep,m.o.p. for exp.)jigga is business savy hell any of them other nigga’s made provisions for anything else after rapping get’s old to them no! jigga,ll,cube, rap for the sport they have lucrative business that that they will gross long after rap

 

October 25th, 2006
at 3:12 pm

sDOTmelfi says:

Things you forgot:

Ignorant Shit - (though recorded for the Black Album, it wasn’t released until after it came out)

I Ain’t Heard of Heard - (again recorded for the Black Album, but leaked as a remix)

It’s On (Once Again) - Off of Bean’s Album

Storm - Off of Lenny Kravitz, Baptism. There is also a Just Blaze remix to it, but it has the same verse.

And whoever said the “Bumpin My Music” was a new verse from Jay was wrong. That was taken from a Missy Elliot record.

NOV. 21 - The Kingdom is Coming…

 

October 26th, 2006
at 8:38 am

Listen2Reason says:

I have to agree with yo. That verse Nas did on blindfold me was pretty wack.

 

October 27th, 2006
at 1:54 pm

johnz reply says:

Nigga what?! Yo man how can yall give such a low rating on that joint with Lupe? Nigga what?!?! Man..Jay’s words move me more then any other MC out..just my opinion…but anyway…that lupe and jay joint was like that…niggas need to try and re rate that..

 

October 28th, 2006
at 7:46 pm

jnsderrick868 says:

jay-z is about to rip the rap world a new asshole once again and that’s real talk!! 100

 

November 13th, 2006
at 11:51 pm

BEST RAPPER EVER says:

BEST RAPPER EVER SORRY HATERS FUCK OFFF!!!!!!!

 

November 13th, 2006
at 11:52 pm

BEST RAPPER EVER says:

best rapper ever..

 

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