Rebel

JAY-Z BREAKS DOWN WHAT MADE BIGGIE A GREAT WRITER AND THE CHALLENGE OF WRITING FOR DR. DRE JAY-Z: “Biggie was one of those ones who didn't run from controversy, whether it made him look bad or not. Most people's egos wouldn't allow them to say that.” “He had such an endearing quality as a writer. ‘Black and ugly as ever’ — that one word was so powerful. Anything he said after that was going to be amazing.” JAY-Z also explained his approach to writing for Dr. Dre after he left Death Row: “I had to get into his psyche. What would he be thinking right there? I would be thinking, I have to remind people that I'm Dr. Dre.” “It's like a cooking show. These are the ingredients I have to work with, and I'm going to make them make sense. And it can't be corny.”

DJ HED AND GINA DEBATE JAY-Z’S SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW — AND WHETHER HE EVER HAD AN ERA WHERE HE DOMINATED HIP-HOP. Kurt: “Should Jay-Z pick himself?” DJ Hed: “He’s earned it. Look at his catalog, accolades, vision and résumé.” Gina: “Even the haircut and anniversary shows felt like a rollout. I think 2027 is when it happens.” DJ Hed: “I think he’s dropping an album.” Kurt: “But did Jay-Z ever have a period where he was really dominating hip-hop?” DJ Hed: “Multiple times.” Gina: “My uncles listened to Jay-Z. I remember him dominating.”