October 27, 2006 @ 4:20 pm

Jay-Z: Can't Stop The Reign

He’s officially taken off the blazer and loosened up his tie and the theme of his comeback album has emerged: the rap game still needs Jay-Z. With Kingdom Come—named after the graphic novel where Superman returns from retirement to lead the old guard against the misguided new regime—President Carter hopes to emulate the man of steel’s M.O. But before he steps out the booth, VIBE.com breaks down who else is who in Hov’s parable to save hip hop. I don’t know what life would be/ in h-i-p h-o-p/ without the boy H-o-v / not only NYC, I’m hip hop’s savior/ so after this flow, you might owe me a favor/ …when kingdom come/… you ready?/…when kingdom come/ I’m ready…—Jay-Z, Kingdom Come. Jay-Z and Superman Aside from Jay-Z’s numerous Mike Jordan references, the man of steel is now the choice comparison of his to make for himself. With the help of his engineer-turned-A&R man Young Guru, who pointed out the similarities between Kingdom Come’s plot and today’s rap game, Jay-Z is setting out to reclaim his position, Superman style. right Kingdom Come was based in part on biblical revelations (Hov, anyone?) and originally published by D.C. Comics in 1996 (the same year Reasonable Doubt dropped) after author Mark Waid and illustrator Alex Ross came up with a fresh angle for the storied history of Clark Kent’s alter ego. Set in the future, the tale begins with Superman no longer donning his signature outfit (Jay and his Roc chain); instead he’s in self-imposed exile (embattled president of Def Jam among other business activities) after a younger, more rogue character named Magog (50 Cent) publicly killed the Joker, who was set to stand trial for murders at the Daily Planet, including Lois Lane. Magog was later cleared of his heinous act and championed as a hero (the new "King of New York") much to Superman’s chagrin. The tide had changed and Superman’s dated values (lyrical ability) were no longer the standard of justice. Years later, however, a renewed Superman (“Show Me What You Got”?) returned to restore order. But it won’t be easy. 50 Cent and Magog Like Magog, Fif has pulled a number of high-profile stunts on his way to stardom that the media has embraced, from feuding with Ja Rule to booting former cohort the Game out of G-Unit. And when the Queens native began to threaten Jay-Z’s dominance (ala Magag and Superman) on the charts and in the ‘hood, instead of challenging him head on, Hov took himself out of Fif’s path by retiring and leaving himself out of harm’s way. In addition, just like Magog destroyed Superman’s Kansas after the man of steel’s exit, the argument can be made that 50’s region-less flow and hook-heavy compositions have led to the rotting of New York’s core. Nas and Batman The thinking man’s emcee, Nas easily fits the mold of the Dark Knight, the gadget-entrusted hero of Gotham City. Kingdom Come finds Batman begrudgingly joining forces with Superman (friend or foe?) as the duo hope to combat the threat of evil from the upstart guard (Cam’ron and The Diplomats). Like, Batman, Nas think’s much of today’s edicts are outdated (Nas’s forthcoming album, Hip Hop Is Dead…The N). While lost for a number of years, Batman rode with a group of non-powered third rate heroes (the Bravehearts) before finding his way. Now, the caped-crusader fights without his mask (no more Esco) and hopes to set things right once more. Beyoncé and Wonder Woman The famed goddess (we’re talking about Wonder Woman, here) entices Superman out of retirement, much like B’ kept bringing Jay-Z back into the fold (“Crazy in Love,” “Déjà Vu”). Maligned from her fellow Amazonians (Destiny’s Child), Wonder Woman struggles with the responsibilities of representing change in today’s world (B’Day just ain’t doing too well). Damon Dash and Lex Luther The old stalwart (we’re talking about Dame, here) bristles at every mention of his nemesis (Hov) much like the case with Luther and Superman. Luther worked to wrestle away power from Superman (The Dame Dash Music Group, anyone?) with little success. Earl Simmons/DMX and Billy Batson/Captain Marvel The inner-child of Captain Marvel, Billy Batson (Earl Simmons) receded the superhuman powers of his outer superhero (DMX) until a final showdown with Superman (November issue of VIBE) where Marvel in hopes to deter the man of steel’s saving grace. Diplomats and the vigilantes A group of vogue characters (Cam, Jim Jones, etc) who have little respect for the previous law of the land nor the heroes (Chancletas!) in place who guarded those ideals that they deem as ill fitting and superfluous. Read more vibe.com online exclusives.

Article tags: Beyonce Knowles, Beyoncé, Cam'ron, Dame Dash, Dame Dash Music Group, Dmx, Earl Simmons, Jay-Z, Jim Jones, The Diplomats 

del.icio.us digg Furl Reddit YahooMyWeb

Page printed from:
http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2006/10/jay_z_cant_stop_the_reign/

Return to previous page