Watch The Throne Review
Listening to the album, you feel like it’s guided by Yeezy in terms of artistic direction, it’s almost like Kanye made the whole album and asked Jay to lay his versus where necessary. But that’s what we expected isn’t it? We know Jay is the king but the king does have its advisors. The album is what you would expect it to be, two greats giving the best they have to offer personally, lyrically and even emotionally. Hot punch lines from Jay, strategic stupidity from Kanye, ear dropping flossing from Hov and deep ideology from Yey. Their lines, the music is brilliant which is what we expected from two of the biggest names in hip-hop. But there’s nothing special, different or groundbreaking… But that’s what we expected isn’t it? All in all it's a terrific album which Jay dominates lyrically, you can tell his years of experience have set him apart from the rest. Kanye holds his own on lyrics and on beats but Jay still holds the crown for sure.
No other rapper was featured on the album, but you don't feel like anyone's missing at all. They have so much to say, so much we as the average public are interested in. They leave all their experiences, their wishes and talent on these verses. Jay leaves little to the imagination with lines like “What’s 50grand to a nigga like me please remind me” , “I wish I can give you this feeling, I’m planking on a million” (word to the plankers). Jay gets quite real aswell in songs where he talks about “black on black murder” and the plight of black people in general on “Murder To Excellence”. Highlighting that he sees less black people the higher he goes and also telling young black people to be inspired by his journey. On a sond called “Why I love You” Jay gives an introspective look into the gripes he left at Roca Fella. Undoubtedly talking to the Beanie Siegels who left him and started beef with him even after all he did for them. He explains how he was trying to make them kings but all they became was soldiers, he made them money and took care of some of their costs but still they betrayed him. Jay also has 2 songs on the album dominated by him featuring little of Kanye, I guess that compensates for Kanye being on so many beats aswell.
Kanye on the other hand is same old Kanye, this is his kind of album which is why I highly suspect he led the assault in the creation of the album. The cover of the album screams Kanye who is well known for his passion for art and ancient European monarchies etc. In “No Church in the Wild” featuring Frank Ocean, Kanye describes his perfect monarchy; where they form a new religion… “No sins as long as there’s permission, and deception is the only felony”. With Kanye’s ego, you do get the sense that he wants to run his own kingdom. Kanye still finds time to floss but is more about his smart punchlines in his flossing… “heard Yeezy was racist well I guess it’s unbaseless….. I only like green faces”. Yeezy’s less direct about his fortune and more about his ego, girls and the life the money has brought him. "Damn Yeezy they all gotta be dimes? Well Adam gave up a rib so they all gotta be prime" lol... Yeezy's stupid.
Tracks that stand out are the Intro, No Church in the Wild; Niggas In Paris; Whose Gon Stop Me which Jay kills on verses and Yey murders with the beat change; Welcome to the Jungle; Murder To Excellence and New Day which is my favourite track. Before it came out I thought it wasn’t going to be worth the buy, but now that I’ve heard it I urge you to get yourself a copy.
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