I became a fan-girl of Jay-Z at age 61!
I never really listened to rap. Sure, I watched 8 Mile and Straight Outta Compton when they premiered and heard an occasional rap song on TV, but I never really LISTENED. That is until my adult daughter played “99 Problems” for me.
To be honest, I was in the right state of mind for this musical introduction, coming down from a dose of shrooms after a 35-year hiatus.
Tired of listening to the tripping classics from my youth like “Close To The Edge” by Yes, “Can’t Find My Way Home” by Blind Faith, and “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd, my daughter decided to open my mind to a whole new world.
From the beginning, I was entranced. To quote Stefon from Saturday Night Live, “99 Problems” by Jay-Z “has everything”: a compelling beat, pertinent lyrics, and Jay-Z’s “smooth like butter” voice. And the video… OMG… the provocative images, the sharp editing, and yes again, Jay-Z’s silky smooth voice.
Halfway through the video, my daughter asked me what I thought. I told her that I was blown away and that I immediately understood his popularity. She could not tell if I was joking; I assured her that I was not. I was mesmerized. Whatever Jay-Z was selling, I was buying—hard.
In the past, I had of course heard of Jay-Z. I knew that he was a media mogul and the husband of Beyoncé, the father of her children, blah, blah, blah, but I had no idea of his stellar talent—genius-level talent.
Jay-Z may have “99 Problems,” but this bitch ain’t one.
Joyce O’Day 