Kingdom Come by Jay-Z
Kingdom Come is the ninth studio album by American rap artist Jay-Z. It was released on November 21, 2006. It was considered a "comeback album" for the established rapper, as 2003's The Black Album was slated to be his final release. The album was a big commercial success, selling about 680,000 copies in its first week, making it Jay-Z's highest selling album within a one-week period. The album received generally positive to mixed reviews. Kingdom Come was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, losing to Kanye West's Graduation at the 50th Grammy Awards Many of the CD pressings come in a transparent red jewel case.
<i>Kingdom Come</i> poses a simple question: What does it mean for a rapper to age? In 10 years, JAY-Z had ascended from trying (and failing) to hustle a record deal to being named president and CEO of Def Jam. Along the way, he carved new paths for Black voices in corporate America while almost single-handedly helping transform rap into its national pop music. On <i>Kingdom Come</i>, his 2006 “comeback” album, he takes stock of how far he’s come. He still imagines his enemies gunning for him (“Oh My God”), but he also celebrates his good fortune in escaping his past, unlike most of his peers (“I Made It”, “Kingdom Come”). And by his own grace, Jay doesn’t pretend his 36-year-old self cares about the same things his 26-year-old one does (“30 Something”, “Hollywood”). With his business intact, he’s even gotten comfortable enough to admit he’s failed. “Some said: ‘Hov’, how you get so fly?’” he raps on “Beach Chair”. “I said: ‘From not being afraid to fall out the sky.’” Granted, JAY-Z can’t help comparing himself to a mythical figure. But give him credit for the humility.
