I don’t have much to say about Beyoncé and Jay-Z as a couple aside from the former being a pretty, and stunningly sexy, woman who probably wouldn’t be romantically involved with the latter if he weren’t a virtual billionaire. He seemed to acknowledge that with a satirical line about being “ugly” on his last album. This one, a duet pompously credited to The Carters, serves as a follow-up. “Yeah, we had marital problems in the past,” the message seems to go, “but we still in love.”

With that, the title would be better flipped around. Love Is Everything or at least the main theme of this set, which happens to include the same amount of songs as Thriller. “Billie Jean in his prime,” Jigga raps, making no sense, “For the thousandth time, the kid ain’t mine.” If he’s referring to Rymir Satterthwaite, it’s a clever bit. But while his wife might be comparable to Michael Jackson as far as popularity goes, the couple are nowhere near when it comes to the quality of the music.

I like Friends. It’s the one song with a catchy hook. The others represent the type of mediocrity I’ve come to expect from two of the most overrated song artists in the world, though I was (am) a fan of Destiny’s Child. Beyoncé, who now raps, has gotten ratchet and annoying over the years. The Summer starter, co-produced by Cool And Dre, sets the tone for the season; the beats are easily the best thing going here; but The Carters aren’t as Nice as they apparently think they are.

my rating : 3 of 5

2018
 

L. Hill :

Yes! Yes! Yes! Beyoncé’s popular but when it comes to quality music, DO NOT compare her to MJ. However, even with her popularity (and overrated status), she hasn’t had a #1 song in a decade.