Rap king rules

Jay-Z's new album has been called a response to his wife Beyonce's tangy Lemonade. To be clear, it is not just that. 4.44 may address his failings as a husband following rumours of his infidelity, but it also tackles a whole gamut of other issues from his mid-life crisis and black identity, to white supremacy and economic inequality. 4.44 is, in many ways, an inspired work. Not only are his rhymes sharper and more on the money than they were in his last album Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013), they also come from a much darker and more introspective place. Baring his soul over the innovative beats and samplings of producer No I.D., 4.44 is a winner right out of the gate.

4.44 is available for streaming exclusively on TIDAL.