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Jay Z’s thirteenth studio album 4:44 This short album, made in 2017 was the last of his albums. Although coming short at the Grammys with a whopping 8 nominations, “4:44” the title track is widely regarded as one of Jay-Z’s best works. To truly understand this album, Lemonade by Beyoncé is a must-listen. 4:44 is a response and apology to Beyoncé, largely focusing on Jay-Z’s infidelity. The 36-minute, 10-song album cultivates a beautiful response to horrible actions by Jay Z.
Released on April 23, 2016 “Lemonade” directly addresses and accuses Jay Z of infidelity. As shown in many lyrics notably at the end of “Pray You Catch Me” in a whispering tone Beyoncé says “What are you doing my love?” (Beyoncé). Similar lyrics continue in each song. Although it is not public knowledge who the affair was with it is very clear in both Lemonade and 4:44 that some affair occurred. Lemonade displays a very clear message with a mix of curiosity and anger towards his cheating. Although through the majority of the album Beyoncé presents a message of women empowerment and strength. In “Don’t Hurt Yourself” her angry disrespectful words continue in being that “when you hurt me, you hurt yourself” (Beyoncé). This is a good representation of self-empowerment because essentially what she is stating is that she can have other men. By cheating and hurting Beyoncé it puts Jay-Z in a bad light because she is simply better. In a personal favorite song on the album “Freedom” Featuring Kendrick Lamar, the powerful chorus explains this empowerment perfectly. Beyoncé screams “Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move/ Freedom, cut me loose!” (Beyoncé). In the same song last verse name dropping the album “I was served lemons, but I made lemonade”(Beyoncé). This sentiment of making lemonade with the hand she was dealt, or given by Jay Z is “cut… loose.” Sends a powerful message to not only her husband but to the people debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200. What’s a better revenge than getting the top-selling album?
Taking up 440 days to finally get a response Jay Z constructs a lyrical masterpiece of an album. The title track and fifth track “4:44” is the clearest apology and response to lemonade. Instantly delving into his own selfish reason with the sample of “Late Nights & Heartbreak” by Hannah Williams, and The Affirmations. “Late Nights & Heartbreak” is another song referencing one's own infidelity, but the section that is most intriguing is what Jay Z takes from it questioning “Why do I keep on running away?”(Jay Z). The first words rapped are “Look, I apologize, often womanize” setting up the foundation for the rest of the song (Jay Z). Reflects on his past with not just his infidelity with Beyoncé, but with his past relationships and lovers in his youth stating “I apologize to all the women whom I toyed with your emotions” (Jay Z). Owning up to it “Cause I wasn’t present… Cause I was emotionless” Reasoning that Beyoncé “Matured faster than” (Jay Z). This section of the song emphasizes his mistakes and his own insecurities. He does this while specifically stating the hurt he caused with a “Your eyes leave with the soul that your body once housed/ and you stare blankly into space” which is a beautiful sentiment for grief. This love they had which Jay Z will dive into more in the next verse was empty. The light and spark once had left a hollow body. Jay Z was taking full responsibility for this. This is interesting enough because it is nearly the opposite of what Beyoncé on Lemonade was preaching. She wasn’t down, defeated, and lifeless. In her words “You know you that bitch when you ‘cause all this conversation” lifeless and empty is very far from what Beyoncé is standing on. The next verse almost mourns what they had and what could’ve been. Jay Z highlights how their “love was one for the ages” believing they were supposed to “vacay ‘til our backs burn”, “laugh ‘til our heart stops” and “let love light the way” (Jay Z). Following this is a section full of deep regret from him although it is bittersweet. Jay Z regrets what he did and how he acted but knows he won’t change. Reverting back with the sampling of “Late Nights & Heartbreak” being “I’m never gonna treat you like I should” he isn’t changing. When given the benefit of the doubt one could say that Beyoncé is deserving of the best that no matter what Jay Z couldn’t provide. However if he believes he “suck[s] at love” wanting a “do-over” this deep regret is showing very little sympathy for his wife more so directed to their children (Jay Z). Saying that “if my children knew/ I don’t even know what I would do” (Jay Z). While claiming he can’t change, Beyoncé and Jay Z are still married.
A cheating scandal leading to some of the masterful works of art in the music industry, each album debuting at #1. Including a joint album “Everything is love” although falling short of the billboard #1 still came in second. The deep emotion shared in each album resonates with you as it splits an opinion to siding with both. Seeing it from both sides the inspiration taken from both albums would be one that could translate to relationships as a whole.
Turtle Modesitt is a junior here at Poudre, this will be his first year within the Poudre press. Playing as a wingback for the varsity soccer team. Outside of school, his interests include skiing, rafting and being outdoors. Post-graduation he plans on traveling the world and taking a gap year before eventually going back to school. Taking a large interest in school his column will dive into the meaning and influence of albums focusing heavily on the HipHop and RnB genres.
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