Jay-Z – “Threat”
Produced by 9th Wonder
Album: The Black Album (2003)
First of all I just want to ask: Who takes a R. Kelly sample, chops it up and makes it a murderous beat that Jay-Z can rap over saying things like “Put that knife in ya/Take a little bit of life from ya”? 9th Wonder that’s who!
Second question: Who puts hilarious Cedric the Entertainer ad-libs in between verses and still makes an ominous song? Well I’m not sure whose idea it was but it’s fucking genius.
Since The Black Album was meant to be Jay’s swan song it’s clear he wanted to go in full beast mode. This is not the “Empire State of Mind” Jay-Z. This is the Jay-Z where he relates his actions to that of Joe Pesci’s.
This may be one of Mr. Carter’s most brilliant tracks. Check all the references he makes using celebrity’s names (a la GZA’s “Fame”) while still sounding menacing.
Craziest Lines:
I’m especially Joe Pesci wit it, friend
I will kill you, commit suicide, and kill you again