In addition to board work by Kanye, other producers such as Q-Tip, Swizz Beatz, and The Neptunes also contribute music to this amazing project. “Murder to Excellence” is a standout for the way that the beat changes mid-song while both men discuss the serious issue of black-on-black violence. The highlight, however, is The RZA-produced “New Day”. Atop haunting piano chords, each rapper drops a verse hypothetically addressing their unborn son. For as much as Watch the Throne was predicted to be an opportunity to capitalize on the popularity of the album’s two stars, it does not. They can’t leave rap alone. The game needs them. Make no mistake, before Jay-Z was a “business man” and President Obama called Kanye West a “jackass”, they were both artists at the top of their craft. And this album is a reminder of that. As well as illustrating how far that artistry has taken them, excesses and egos in all.
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