One of my running gimmicks here and a frequent snobbing device is my hatred of post-Black Album Jay-Z [we don’t bump the Blueprint 3]. He’s really the king of emulating Mike on the Wizards. This rare and meaningful video of Jigga’s ‘94 twelve-inch, “I Can’t Get With That” [below], has everything that dude is missing today. His flow might not be established as Hova’s-own (not until Reasonable Doubt, maybe In My Lifetime) as he bites style from Jaz-O, Sauce Money, Large Professor and whoever else he was feeling at the time [allegedly, nas !!]. But Jigga is young, hungry and absurdly charismatic in this video. It is obvious that they just bought those Ranges, Tims, champagne bottles, and are proud as fuck about it. The DIY camera shots of Marcy and the bridge are genuine and heartfelt. His posse isn’t wearing absurd chains [“just Hawaiian shirts, hanging with little Chase”] but sick Reggie Millers, wifebeaters, and 90s tees. Jay and Dame are still bros [miss u Rocafella], young Hov is the king of his burrough and about to blow nationally; all is right in the Jay-Z universe here. He hasn’t made classics out of RD, Blueprint or Black Album so there is no pressure or room to disappoint. The minimal key notes looping are the kind that made you want to be from NY in the 90s. His persona radiates of a guy that is ecstatic about using the craft of rapping to elevate his status. He sure as shit isn’t a cookie-cut mediocrity-factory holding down young talent with his very presence like he is today. The rapid fire flow isn’t really trademark Hova, but the energy and authenticity used to be. I don’t like the Blueprint 3 because I like Jay-Z. -mw