Jay-Z - The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (October 30, 2000)

 
The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, Jay's fifth "solo" album, actually started life as a Dynasty collaboration album. The unimpressive collective consisted of Memphis Bleek, Amil, Beanie Sigel, and Jay himself. Def Jam decided that the album would move more units if it were marketed as a Jay-Z album, hence the cover. 


It's all a goddamn lie, though.


This is a Roc-a-Fella showcase album, through and through. Shit, there are songs on here where Jay doesn't even bother appearing. His intent was to put the whole fam on display, including the heavily bearded Freeway, and two producer talents who would end up being bigger than the Roc itself: Just Blaze and Kanye West.


As can be expected from an album of this sort, guest appearances are abundant, and it is also abundantly clear that Jay-Z is a much better rapper than everyone else involved. 

Behold:


1. INTRO (JAY-Z)
...


2. CHANGE THE GAME (JAY-Z, BEANIE SIGEL, and MEMPHIS BLEEK)
I saw a skit once on Saturday Night Live, with Will Ferrell, dressed up as Robert Goulet, performing Bleek's verse (the one that starts out "Who the fuck want what") along with the rest of the Dynasty. Fucking hilarious. This song isn't funny at all, though. Or entertaining. Lyric-wise, anyway. The beat knocks, though.


3. I JUST WANNA LOVE U (GIVE IT 2 ME) (JAY-Z)
Another of those "You've heard it before" songs, this time produced by The Neptunes. You've already made up your mind about this one, so we'll move on.


4. STREETS IS TALKING (JAY-Z and BEANIE SIGEL)
Ostensibly a sequel to "Streets Is Watching" off of the second LP. Doesn't completely suck.


5. THIS CAN'T BE LIFE (JAY-Z, BEANIE SIGEL, and SCARFACE)
I believe this to be the first Jay/Kanye collaboration. Good first effort. Scarface from the Geto Boys especially shines here.


6. GET YOUR MIND RIGHT MAMI (JAY-Z, MEMPHIS BLEEK, and SNOOP DOGG)
Meh.


7. STICK 2 THE SCRIPT (JAY-Z and BEANIE SIGEL)
Wouldn't sound out of place on In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Read: Jay seems to be regressing.


8. YOU, ME, HIM, and HER (JAY-Z, MEMPHIS BLEEK, BEANIE SIGEL, and AMIL)
The last song Amil did for the Roc before Jay changed the locks and "forgot" to send her the keys to the building.


9. GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT (JAY-Z and R. KELLY)
Not a bad song (I like the video more, but I can't find it online), but the fact that this led to both of those Jay-Z/R. Kelly collabo albums is inexcusable. Also, hearing Kells sing how he's "not guilty" is like a sadistic joke.


10. PARKING LOT PIMPIN' (JAY-Z, BEANIE SIGEL, and MEMPHIS BLEEK)
The chorus on this is some of the corniest shit ever.


11. HOLLA (MEMPHIS BLEEK)
Big bucks, no whammies, no whammies...STOP! Dammit!


12. 1-900-HUSTLER (JAY-Z, BEANIE SIGEL, MEMPHIS BLEEK, and FREEWAY)
The radio show theme is hilarious. Very entertaining, and when it comes down to it, isn't that all a song really needs to be?


13. THE R.O.C. (BEANIE SIGEL and MEMPHIS BLEEK)
What is this song missing...hmm...


14. SOON YOU'LL UNDERSTAND (JAY-Z)
Jigga solo. Witness a flash of the brilliance that Jay-Z would soon display on The Blueprint.


15. SQUEEZE 1ST (JAY-Z)
Jay really should have just made this an outright solo album.


16. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN (JAY-Z and BEANIE SIGEL)
Listen to this song (where both Sigel and Jigga literally cry while recounting their shitty relationships with their respective fathers) and tell me you don't feel their pain. The chorus is ass, though.


FINAL THOUGHTS: The Dynasty: Roc La Familia is a hot mess. It's honorable that Jay wanted to step aside to give some of the spotlight to his friends, but with the exception of Just Blaze, Kanye, and Freeway, the shine was just wasted. But as I mentioned above, there are flashes of brilliance here which make the transition into The Blueprint seamless.


BUY OR BURN? I can't recommend this one. If you already own it, keep it, but if you absolutely need to have this one, then burning it is the best way to give the defunct Dynasty some love.


BEST TRACKS: "Where Have You Been"; "Soon You'll Understand"


-Max


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Jay-Z - In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
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