The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly features their seasonal “must have” list of fall music releases, with No. 1 on the list being Jay-Z’s Kingdom Come. The title was inspired by the DC comic of the same name:
Yes, Jay-Z is a man of his word. Except, it seems, when he isn’t. In 2002, the rapper declared that his next CD, The Black Album, would also be his last. His future lay not in the beats but in the boardroom. And that ambition became a reality when, in December 2004, he was announced as the new president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. How to explain, then, the news that this fall Jay-Z will release a new CD, Kingdom Come? ”It was the worst retirement, maybe, in history,” he admits. And then he launches into an impromptu a cappella preview of the title track, which was inspired by a 1996 comic in which Superman comes out of retirement to save the world. The lyrics that effortlessly roll off his tongue may help explain his return: ”Take off the blazer/Loosen up the tie/Step inside the booth/Superman is alive!”
September 18th, 2006 at 9:01 am
One wonders if Jay-Z finished Kingdom Come, because, if I remember correctly, Superman’s return to work didn’t exactly end well.
Oh, and if Jay-Z’s Superman, (which would make Beyonce Wonder Woman) who’s Batman? Or Captain Marvel?
September 18th, 2006 at 9:06 am
jay-z’s so lame…ripping off a comic book how low can you get tsk tsk…
September 18th, 2006 at 9:19 am
i think that would make John Norris Batman.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:37 am
Incredible. The Ruler is back. As if I needed another reason to buy this album. Hova!
September 18th, 2006 at 10:27 am
Isn’t “Kingdom Come” from some sort of religious thingey? I love it when pop art overtakes religion in the minds of imbecils.
September 18th, 2006 at 10:52 am
Isn’t “Kingdom Come” from some sort of religious thingey? I love it when pop art overtakes religion in the minds of imbecils.
It didn’t overtake anything. The “religious thingy” is mentioned in Kingdom Come itself, and Jay-Z specifically mentions the comic in his quote.
Anyway, I think that everyone knew that Jay-Z would pull a Jordan. I’m actually more surprised that it took nearly two years.
September 18th, 2006 at 10:54 am
At last. The only rapper that still matters is back.
So he´s got some insperation from a comic book? I see no harm in that.
September 18th, 2006 at 11:04 am
EFFIN’ A MAN!!! I can’t wait for some new Jay Z!
September 18th, 2006 at 11:32 am
I don’t think it really matters if Jay-Z ever finished the comic or not, he’s stating publicly that he took inspiration from Kingdom Come and that is good for the industry. Any mainstream exposure, especially any form of endorsment from a celebrity is a good thing.
Plus, its Jay-Z and he is the man. I’m seriously pumped for this album to drop.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
“I don’t think it really matters if Jay-Z ever finished the comic or not, he’s stating publicly that he took inspiration from Kingdom Come and that is good for the industry. Any mainstream exposure, especially any form of endorsment from a celebrity is a good thing.”
Yep.
September 18th, 2006 at 2:00 pm
“Isn’t “Kingdom Come” from some sort of religious thingey?”
“Thingey”… heh
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
September 18th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
“jay-z’s so lame…ripping off a comic book how low can you get tsk tsk…”
Where’s the ripoff?
September 18th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
I’m not a fan of rap music, but if a big star finds inspiration from a comic book I think that’s a great thing.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
Taking inspiration from a comic is low lol? Don’t think much of comics do you? So what are you doing here?
September 18th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
Dear God, Jiggaman’s back.
There is a Lord God. Thank you Baby Jesus. Thank You.
September 19th, 2006 at 6:21 am
It can only be a good thing if someone so in the public eye as Jay-Z points out inspiration from a comic book!
And “imbecile?” Whaa?! The guy runs one of the biggest labels in the world – not a whole lot of fools survive in that area of work for long.
September 19th, 2006 at 10:07 am
Hopefully it’ll be better than Iced Earth’s 1997 release, The Dark Saga, which is based on Spawn. And, what a yawn it is. But, kudos to anyone who help spread the comicbubbleword.
September 19th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
jay-z iz tha best…..and he see that tha rap game iz dead so he com’n to save tha world…KINGDOM COME will be tha thriller of rap!!!!!!!!!!!line tha f*ck up!!!
September 19th, 2006 at 7:43 pm
listen jay the greatest eva is coming bac to ssave New York(because they fell off after his leave) not only that, the south is hot but each of them flls off too, they really only stay hot because new artists from the south keep coming out. Stop hatin on jay an let him continue his quotes. Be honest, the industry was callin for his return an so was the public. Since he left, noone would left him retire, you the got new artists comin out smapling his voice, featuring him on song, just to say they did asong with great Hov. Then you these others who are really fans of Jay, dissin him, just to say that they battle him, even after they sold ova 10mil. records(50cent) arent you a fan??Cameron just a hater, how you gonna wait until som1 retires to diss them, thats just gay.. Everyone wanted him bac, no other rapper was strong enough to hold down the game consistently each yr so he had to reutrn. He sold out madison sq. garden in a day.. Stop hatin on ma nigga! do ya thing Hov, ///mikieock@aol.com if u have comment..holla…mikieock
September 20th, 2006 at 10:34 am
See what niggas don’t realize is this, this the nigga that brought life to the game when nobody else could. He keeps the steets bangin constantly even in retirement.
To know that he coming back is like a breath of fresh air. Now maybe we’ll hear some good music again.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Jay is the greatest ever, PERIOD. Hip-Hop/Rap was put on hold for me but now the time has come, “Kingdome Come”.
September 22nd, 2006 at 4:43 pm
The King is back! Tell camron to get the krypto……….. He’ll need it.
September 25th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
HOVA is the best rapper to ever walk the face of the planet, point blank period. Cant wait for the album, Im BUYING about 5 copies.
September 26th, 2006 at 9:24 am
i’m happy to see hov come back. the rap game has been missin the best rapper. i just wonder will nas bo on the album.
September 26th, 2006 at 11:07 am
The dynasty is back! Still number one on THE list.
September 27th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Jay-z is the toughest thing moving. Like he said “He can’t leave rap alone/the game needs him”. He’s absolutely right… I can’t wait until his album comes out.That would be another one added to my collection…
September 27th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
[i]Isn’t “Kingdom Come” from some sort of religious thingey? I love it when pop art overtakes religion in the minds of imbecils.[/i]-The Ugly American — September 18, 2006 @ 10:27 am
One, the fact that you’re apparently not conversant with The Lord’s Prayer [[i]which one intelligent poster already reminded you of[/i]] suggests that pop art has overtaken religion in YOUR mind as well…
Two, a more cogent and effective comment could have been yours if you had (a), asked if “Kingdom Come” was a religious REFERENCE, not a “thingey” and (b), learned how to spell “imbecile”, you imbe….[i]no[/i], I’m not gonna say it!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
I Love reading all of you who continue to hate on Jay. You will all be the same ones who go out and buy the album, listen and comb over it very carefully. only to waste more time out of your hopeless and pathetic lives bashing it in some stupid forum on the internet. Hate Hate Hate.
yours truly,
Silky Johnston
October 1st, 2006 at 7:01 am
Yo cats iz dumb to be hatin on jay kuz afta pac and biggie died my nigga put hip hop on his back..along side wit him NaS..and they have ruled this ish..but itz sad to see lame pplz..wann See..Young Joc..or Dike Jones..and Paul Wall nowadayz..tha shit iz sad if u a true hip hop head holla at me
DABANDIT@TMAIL.COM peace and much love too ya
October 3rd, 2006 at 11:14 am
the returns of JAY-Z a new album supeerrrr 4Evaaaa KING JAY-Z
October 4th, 2006 at 11:04 am
Jay-z is the best rapper of all time. I cant wait for Jay-z to release this album. THE RAP GAME NEEDS JAY-Z. Jay-z set the tone for every rapper to step they game up. His music was real hip hop he was most persistant rapper ever. THE BEST.
When he retired the heart and soul of hip hop just left. A lot of rappers today just make song and dance records (like snap music)Im tired of snappin my fingers I want real hip hop Shit. Even in retirement Jay-Z controlled the rap game givin us good artists like Rick Ross and Young Jeezy. When Jay-Z release this album Wit that true hip hop He is gonna take over the whole Game!!!
all these other cats takin shots at Jigga/ they only get half a bar f–k yall Niggas/
October 4th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Y’ALL GOT AN EXTRA TALL GLASS OF HATERADE FOR ME? THESE PEOPLE ARE SOME HATERS, DON’T YOU KNOW THEY NEVER PROSPER. JEALOUSY IS UGLY AND THATS THE REASON HE RETIRED IN THE FIRST PLACE “SO UNGRATEFUL”. GO EAT ONE.
October 4th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Yo, man I luv Jay to death but Mike Jordan says it all: you play for the team you own
but Mike’s goal was to win a championship can you outdo Mike Jordan himself????
We hope so
October 6th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
One word, Encore!
October 7th, 2006 at 6:34 am
Show me what you got! I think the comic title is cool it shows creativity, eventhough being from a comic, becuase the rap world is dominated by the dope boy image and it’s refreshing to have a rapper with more substance in his lyrics.
October 8th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Listen up.
The title for hova’s album is simply an allegory. He is using it to convery a message that he is back,ready and out for blood. Jay Z is in fact BRILLIANT if you think about it. the rap game is SHIT ever since he has left along with the absence of many other great revolutionary artist. Hova left like superman did into his cave of solitude. Superman left for revenge and to save the world. S Carter is simply stating he will overthrow the lamo-s of the rap industry with ill beats and a new found flow. I am nervous about the content of this album but not of its potential. Jay Z is one of the smarted african american artist, not just through his talented lyrics but his business sector as well.
I have Studied JAY Z and all of his lyrics, life and business because i know he is the man.
there is a quote from Isaac Newton saying “as we look to the future, we do so by standing on the shoulder of giants” , basically to all you kids with out education, this means newton used the wealth of knoledge from other philosophers and great inds of he past inorder to make way for his findings and research. This is EXACTLY what Hova did, but you dont see him getting a nobel prize or credibility for it. instead hes claimed a biter not a writer. Hova is a dog not only with a bite but a bark, and the bark speaks much, much louder.
Get ready everyoone. Hov is back.
October 10th, 2006 at 1:07 am
my nigga jay-z aka hov aka jigga aka the best rapper alive came back jus 2 show dis rookies how rap for example cam’ron. keep doing ur thing
October 26th, 2006 at 7:52 am
It’s the Takeover from ya boy
November 18th, 2006 at 6:43 am
I admire a strong black man. Why we as people act like crabs in a barrel. Why cant we show one another love. For our success.He has something to say and he says it with compassion.I love em
November 29th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
i mean he is my favorite rapper. im a rapper strait out of milwaukee and most of my inspiration came from him. allow him to reintroduce himself, they calll em HOV!
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