"D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)" (CD single) (by Jay-Z, Rap)

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.