the411online.com >> News | Reviews | Interviews | Artists | Flashbacks | Best of... | Award Tour

Google
 
Web the411online.com

News >> Main | Archives 1994-present

React: Is Jay-Z's comeback a good idea?


It's official: Jay-Z is coming back
As The 411 Online first reported in February, and then again in May, Jay-Z is back. Entertainment Weekly, always at the cusp of hip-hop news, proclaims "The Return of Jay-Z" on its latest cover and interviews the hip-hop legend about his upcoming album, Kingdom Come. "It was the worst retirement in history," Jay told EW, adding that he truly thought he was done making music. "I believed it, yeah. I believed it for two years." It should come as no shock, considering Jay made several references to Michael Jordan before and during his retirement. Vibe also reports that Jay calls himself Superman in the title track, referencing a comic that announced the hero's return from retirement. "Something, when you love it, is always tugging at you and itching, and I was putting it off and putting it off. I started fumbling around to see if it felt good," Jay said in the interview, adding that the album is "more in the vein of The Black Album than The Blueprint. I've been experimenting with things, different types of music." The first single is expected to be "Show Me What You Got" and the album is slated to arrive in stores on Nov. 14. Longtime collaborators Dr. Dre, Timbaland and Kanye West are on board as producers, as well as newcomers like Coldplay's Chris Martin. Although several sources confirm that the album will be titled Kingdom Come, some media outlets suggested the album would be named President. That name might not hold up if the rumors that The Roots' Okayplayer website have been reporting turn out to be true. Okayplayer suggests that Jay has been fired from his Def Jam gig, but that he will announce that he "voluntarily resigned" when he revives his music career. Don't forget that the last time Jordan returned, he never got his executive position back from the Washington Wizards. So maybe Jay's career will follow Jordan's more closely than he realizes. Be careful what you wish for, Jay. That final MJ comeback didn't work out so well. When asked what would force him to actually retire, Jay said: "If I wake up one day and the best material has passed me by -- and that's going to happen -- then it's time to move on. I've said what I wanted to say."

-- The 411 Online


More news in the archives...


www.the411online.com

All contents ©1994-2006 The 411 Online

News | Reviews | Interviews | Discussion | Coming Up | Flashbacks
In the Trunk | Radio | Best of... | Award Tour | Exhibit | Links | E-mail