Jay Z - Run This Town
I'll admit that I am not a huge rap/urban music fan but I like to think that I can appreciate a good song when I hear it and let's face it, most if not all of us have at one time or another danced/sung along to '99 Problems', but this? Mister Jay-Z what WERE you thinking?
As a comeback track this is a poor effort. Rhianna's nasally vocals grate on the ears, Kanye's input goes pretty much unnoticed and Jay-Z just sounds as if he's talking about a certain American hospital drama.
It just goes to show that even a collaboration of supposedly great pop stars doesn't always produce a successful sound.
Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind
This is a prime example of how much more effective a track can be when you select the right vocalist.
Alicia Keys would beat Rhianna in a vocal match any day - why this tune wasn't chosen as the first single I have no idea. Perhaps Jay-Z just has a soft spot for working with 'hip' young artists but in my eyes Rhianna is over hyped. Alicia at least has some soul.
It's a fairly typical lyrical choice - rap about one of the most famous capitals in the world and you'll excite people. You wouldn't, possibly, get the same sense of glamour if they'd chosen to sing about Essex.
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