November 24, 2000
THE DYNASTY ROC LA FAMILIA (2000 - )
By DARRYL STERDAN

THE DYNASTY ROC LA FAMILIA (2000 - )
Jay-Z
(Roc-A-Fella / Universal)

For a while there, it looked like Shawn (Jay-Z) Carter was heading for Puff Daddy territory. Between his dependence on cheeseball samples, his blatantly bling-bling lifestyle and his clubland rap sheet, it only seemed a matter of time until he started dating a big-booty Latina starlet. Well, it finally seems Jigga has got a grip. Despite its ridiculous title, Roc La Familia etc. is a big step back to reality -- the reality of the streets. With the help of crew members, proteges and guests including Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Scarface and Snoop Dogg, Jay digs deep and throws down 16 hard-nosed old-school gangsta rap blasts with titles like Streets is Talking, Guilty Until Proven Innocent and This Can't Be Life. And while Jay frees your mind with his rhymes, the smoking blaxploitation grooves, p-funky soul and bouncing hip-hop beats that anchor these tracks make sure your ass follows. Unlike most rap albums, Dynasty keeps you coming back for more. Which is more than we can say about Puffy's last CD.

Track Listing 1.Intro
  02.Change The Game
  03.I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)
  04.Streets Is Talking
  05.This Can't Be Life - Featuring Scarface
  06.Get Your Mind Right Mami - Featuring Snoop Dog
  07.Stick 2 The Script
  08.You, Me, Him And Her
  09.Guilty Until Proven Innocent - Featuring R.Kelly
  10.Parking Lot Pimpin'
  11.Holla
  12.1-900-Hustler
  13.The R.O.C.
  14.Soon You'll Understand
  15.Squeeze 1st
  16.Where Have You Been