| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
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| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this single is pretty mild, save for the repeated use of the word "nigger." Jay-Z takes aim at rappers who use Autotune (the audio processor that creates near perfect pitch) and other electronic production techniques in their music.
It's only been two years since Jay-Z released an album, but a lot has changed on the rap scene in that short time. For one thing, rappers like Lil Wayne and Kanye West have morphed into singers...that is with a little help from their friends in the studio. Jay-Z is tired of all the over-production. On D.O.A. (DEATH OF AUTOTUNE) he explains why real rap isn't about electronic harmonies, it's about killer rhymes.
Jay-Z and producer No I.D. offer listeners a sparse, straightforward single that expertly employs the samples of Janko Nilovic's "In the Space." At times though, the single drags with sluggish rhymes and a rap chorus that seems to be begging for a melodic hook. But Jay-Z stays true to his message and this is rap at its purest. Hardcore fans will probably appreciate the jazz-infused style, but listeners looking for more dance-inspiring rap (or those who like Autotune) might be want to look elsewhere.
Families can talk about Jay-Z's beef with Autotune. Do you agree with him that rappers should stick to using their natural voice or should artists be allowed to express themselves using whatever type of artificial help they can get? Is playing around with electronic techniques part of hip-hop culture? Or, do you think electronic aids make singers lazy and creates robo- music?