Episode 154: Make it a Classic - 534 by Memphis Bleek

The 80z Babies discuss 534, the fourth studio album from Roc A Fella's Memphis Bleek.

 

 Timestamps:

(1:09) Initial thoughts on the album and Memphis Bleek

(4:22) Where was Outlaw?

(6:19) Where was Yinka?

(12:33) Critical reception

(14:39) Overarching highlights

(19:08) Overarching lowlights

(20:44) Should Dear Summer have been on the album? Was Memphis Bleek done a disservice? Was Jay Z addicted to the spotlight? Did he do enough to support his artists?

(26:52) Track for track analysis

(27:40) Did Memphis Bleek create the template for the early 00's New York "street" rapper? Is Bleek's persona natural or cultivated?

(31:46) Is it fair to call Dear Summer a lowlight? Can we separate the song from the album?

(34:58) Was Rihanna's star quality apparent in her first feature? Did it matter that she wasn't the best singer?

(42:13) Is Smoke the Pain Away 9th Wonder's best beat?

(51:24) Outlaw makes it a classic

(1:03:30) If The Game can make a classic album, why can't Memphis Bleek?

(1:05:35) If Bleek didn't have Coming of Age, would we see his career more positively?

(1:08:03) Yinka makes it a classic

(1:22:47) Closing thoughts

 

Socials:

80z Babies: @the80zbabies

Yinka Diz: @YinkaDiz

Outlaw: @outlawbebe