Def Pen
  • News
    • World
    • US
    • Politics
  • Music
    • News
    • Hip Hop
    • R&B
    • Pop
    • First To The Aux
  • Sports
    • Basketball
      • NBA
      • WNBA
      • NCAAB
      • EuroLeague
      • High School
    • Football
      • NFL
      • XFL
      • NCAAF
    • Baseball
      • MLB
    • MMA
    • Boxing
    • FIFA
    • Sports Betting
    • Track & Field
  • Fashion
  • Business
  • Movies
    • Trailers
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Women
    • Spotlight On Empowerment
  • Shop
Def Pen
  • News
    • World
    • US
    • Politics
  • Music
    • News
    • Hip Hop
    • R&B
    • Pop
    • First To The Aux
  • Sports
    • Basketball
      • NBA
      • WNBA
      • NCAAB
      • EuroLeague
      • High School
    • Football
      • NFL
      • XFL
      • NCAAF
    • Baseball
      • MLB
    • MMA
    • Boxing
    • FIFA
    • Sports Betting
    • Track & Field
  • Fashion
  • Business
  • Movies
    • Trailers
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Women
    • Spotlight On Empowerment
  • Shop
  • Breaking News
  • Movie Reviews

Jay-Z & Kanye West “Watch The Throne” Review

  • August 9, 2011
  • Def Pen

Foolish is the music critic who refuses to kneel before ‘The Throne’ (Shawn Carter & Kanye West) which recently blessed society’s ‘lessers’ with the greatest collection of songs ever recorded: Watch The Throne—an extravagant ‘Rich N*gga Rap’-masterpiece dripping with champagne-flavored pomposity & pretentiousness.

OK, I’m lying…kinda, but that’s what critics are expected to say about a mega-hyped ‘event album’ hailed as a classic by thousands 15 minutes after its digital release. To me, Watch The Throne is one of the few critique-proof albums in Hip-Hop history. All eyes are on the throne to worship or frown upon it. It’s thee album of the moment and we’re all prisoners.

Sensationally-polished, Throne is lavish private jet music that adds three extra zeros to every listener’s bank account (“What’s 50 grand to a motherf*cker like me/Can you please remind me?” – Jay-Z). It’s high-end musical escapism; the wealthy-minded broke person’s soundtrack. I, personally, felt LESS BROKE listening to it. And that’s the point.

Tracks like Frank Ocean’s (official) introduction to mainstream relevancy “No Church in the Wild,” “Illest Muthaf*cka Alive” (Feat. 3 pretentious minutes of silence) & the [Insert Pusha T ‘Echk’ HERE]-worthy “N*ggas in France” (destined to make exotical Cannes hoes touch their toes) separate Throne from 99% of 2011’s rap releases.

Say what you want about Kanye & Hov’s reported ‘feud,’ Throne is HOV’s album…featuring Kanye West, who’s just happy to be rocking alongside Big Bro. At times, it’s like watching Mike Jordan score 60 points while Scottie Pippen shoots 4-17 from the floor.

Where Hov punished magnificent soundscapes (“I’m losing myself. I’m lost in the moment. I look in the mirror. My only opponent“), Kanye spit wretched struggle bars (“N*ggas talkin, they b*tch-made, Ix-nay off my d*cks-nay/that’s Pig Latin, itch-bay“) with the utmost arrogance. Yes. Kanye took 35195740567 steps back as an MC on Throne. Fight me.

Other cracks in the Throne include Queen Beysus’ unlistenable “Lift Off” hook, Kanye & Hov’s clash with Otis Redding on “Otis,” ‘odd’ usage of slang by middle-aged rap legends (Jay-Z: “I invented swag“/”I’m planking on a million” — Kanye: “Maybachs on bachs on bachs“/”DAT SH*T CRAY!”) & the incredibly-corny “Made in America” that sounds like Track #14 on the Get on the Bus Soundtrack.

Overall, Watch The Throne is a dope album (with a sonically-superb sound quality) that I imagine Uncle Scrooge would bang while breast stroking through his millions. Classic? NO. Insanely-overhyped? Absolutely, but that won’t matter to most music heads. Throne is ALL about the spectacle, and will serve as the rare ‘Where were you when the Throne dropped?’-moment for casual music heads. Admit it, Kanye & Hov are now…legendary. 3/4 stars. Cop the Deluxe version.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Def Pen Radio.

Related Topics
  • Jay-Z
  • Kanye West
Def Pen

You May Also Like
View Article
  • Boxing
  • Movie Reviews
  • Movies
  • Sports

Review Roundup: Here’s What Everyone Is Saying About ‘The Fire Inside’

  • Ryan Shepard
  • December 25, 2024
View Article
  • Movie Reviews
  • Movies

Review Roundup: Here’s What Everyone Is Saying About ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

  • Ryan Shepard
  • July 25, 2024
View Article
  • Movie Reviews
  • Movies

Review Roundup: Here’s What Everyone Is Saying About ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’

  • Ryan Shepard
  • July 6, 2024
View Article
  • Movie Reviews
  • Movies

Review Roundup: Here’s What Everyone Is Saying About ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’

  • Ryan Shepard
  • June 7, 2024
View Article
  • Breaking News
  • News
  • Politics
  • US

EXPLAINED: Here’s Why Trump’s Election Interference Trial In Georgia Could Be Televised

  • Danielle Germain
  • August 15, 2023
View Article
  • Movie Reviews
  • Movies

Review: ‘Creed III’ Is A Dramatic Story That Packs Trauma, Tears & Brotherhood Into A Boxing Ring

  • Ryan Shepard
  • March 2, 2023
View Article
  • Album Stream
  • Breaking News
  • Hip Hop
  • Music

J. Cole Releases His 6th Studio Album: ‘The Off-Season’

  • Travis
  • May 14, 2021
View Article
  • Breaking News
  • Hip Hop
  • Videos

J. Cole Shares New ‘Applying Pressure: The Off-Season Documentary’

  • Travis
  • May 10, 2021

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

©Copyright 2025 DefPen.com. All rights reserved.

Def Pen is a registered trademark. DefPen.com is part of the Def Pen Media Group, LLC.

  • Contact
  • Advertising
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Shop

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT