Watch The Throne comes along in golden shades of colors. Some consider that to be excessively arrogant, others claim to see it as an avantgardistic understanding of the art of Pop-Culture. It’s right between these poles, as we all know, where Kanye West likes to poach. Noticeably, the album breathes his charisma and creativity. While Mr. West seems to conduct the album’s atmosphere, Jay-Z shines with what he does best: Rapping. With a youngster’s lightheartedness, Hova floats above the beats. Of course, this is added by the love for the ostentatious. The ego of an artist is celebrated so brazenly open that it becomes impossible to not join in celebrating it. Especially because the humor never really gets lost between these ludicrously high-aiming comparisons (»I’m liable to go Michael, take your pick Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6«) and other boastings. For example, they even go as far as using extracts from the trash-comedy Blades of Glory. Hence, between all pomposity and high-gloss productions, it first and foremost reflects the fun that two artists brought together by a good chemistry had, when going to the studio. Even the few uninspiring Neptunes and a Swizz Beat that still runs around without a leash can’t take that away. Stubborn HipHoppers will probably pick up the old †žclassic-or-not†œ-discussions over Watch The Throne, but that’s utterly unnecessary. ‘Cause Watch The Throne doesn’t sound as if ‘Ye and Jigga are trying to chisel a monolith, but rather as if they just want to give the world an idea of how fresh the air is on top of their already existing monuments.
Amine Laje
Datsha
Rotary Phono Lab