I was nervous when I went into Best Buy this past Friday. I ventured to the mineal area the electronics store still considers their “Music Section” in search of 4:44. There were no copies on the shelf and I dreaded the awkward “young customer inquiring about new rap album to the older employee” conversation. Fortunately, a peer was behind the counter and knew what I was talking about when I said I was looking for the new Jay-Z. After a quick convo about waiting for its release on other streaming sites besides TIDAL and an early listening session I had in the barbershop, he explained that because of their limited copies, they keep the audio dope in the back, off the floor, away from customers. I haven’t had an in-store experience like that since Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III when the cashiers keep copies at the register, but copies of Plies’s Definition of Real were allowed to roam the floor freely.
In the past two days, I can thankfully admit that the album is worth ALL of the hype. “Marcy Me” might be favorite, but this Sunday I’m going to highlight the sample from my second favorite, “Family Feud”. Your Aunts’ favorite (including mine) Gospel group, The Clark Sisters are the foundation for track number six with their 1980 song, “Ha Ya (Eternal Life)” from their 8th album, Is My Living In Vain. The five members group hailing from Detroit, Michigan comprises of sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm, Denise Clark Bradford, Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark-Terrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard. Enjoy the eternal life through Jesus Christ with a 5 minute and 16 second trip to church featuring their mother, Mattie Moss Clark.