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Life & Arts

Jeezy, Jay-Z shine in collaboration

Hip-hop Update

Eli Jabbe

Whenever two artists come together, great products are often made. Here are some memorable collaborations of the past:

"The Flyest" by Nas and AZ

This overlooked song from Nas' 2001 album Stillmatic is just one of several classic collaborations between the two New York artists, who are most remembered for the classic "Life's A Bitch." Especially memorable is the third verse, where AZ and Nas trade lines back and forth. This collaboration is also notable because AZ announced that the two would never collaborate again.

"I Love the Dough" by Jay-Z & Notorious B.I.G.

Whenever these two names are mentioned, most people always think of the song "Brooklyn's Finest." "I Love The Dough" from B.I.G.'s posthumous album "Life After Death" is often forgotten. I could quote the whole song because both artists had memorable quotes as always, but one line that sticks out is when Jay says, "skip the bull because we're matadors."

"Go Crazy" by Young Jeezy & Jay-Z

This song has two artists on extreme ends of the lyrical spectrum: elementary (Jeezy) and advanced (Jay-Z). The most memorable quote from Jay-Z is when he makes a reference to New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera: "More than a relief pitcher, I'm the closer / The Mariano of the Marriott / If money talks, the whole world's about to hear me out." 

"Grey Goose" by Young Jeezy & All Star

This 2005 collaboration stands out mainly because Jeezy said the same words at the end of an unprecedented three bars in a row: "I'm with All Star/ Red, white, and blue jersey with the big stars / MVP, I'm an All Star." It just doesn't get any more lyrically complex than that.

"Diamonds from Sierra Leone" by Kanye West & Jay-Z

The theme of this 2005 collaboration is centered on conflict diamonds, and on the split between former Roc-A-Fella co-CEOs Jay-Z and Damon Dash. While West addresses the former with lines like, "The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charmses / I thought my Jesus piece was so harmless / until I seen a picture of a shorty armless," Jay-Z reminds everybody why he's still the best even though he's technically retired. The legend's whole verse is full of quotables such as, "How could you falter, when you're the rock of Gibraltar? I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water."
 

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