Should Jay-Z Stay Retired?

Many think of him as the greatest rapper of all time. He is mentioned in the same breath as other greats like 2 Pac, Notorious BIG, LL Coo J and others. When he finished the Black Album, Jay-Z vowed that he was going to retire. He was no longer going to work as a solo artists and he was going to focus on his new job as the head of Def Jam. Of course we know is retirement hasn't lasted long. Last year Jay-Z released the album titled Kingdom Come. This year he is at it again with his version for the soundtrack to the movie American Gangster. Some say it is time for Jay to hang it up. Here are a few ideas to ponder when debating this issue.

Jay-Z's announced retirement after the Black Album would have made logical since. Much like other stars in other professions, Jay was calling it quits at the climax of his career. The Black Album was considered by many to be his best album. It produced the hits Dirt off your Shoulder, Change Clothes, 99 Problems,and Encore. The production on the album was amazing with the likes of Pharell and Kanye West giving Jay some of the best beats of his career. I like to think of the Black Album much like Michael Jordan winning his 6th Championship. This made the perfect end to his career. You couldn't have wrote a better ending if you tried.

Like many stars however Jay couldn't stay away from his love. His first album after retirement Kingdom Come was met with mixed reviews. The album sells were not near what his previous albums were and many claimed Jay was not the rapper he once was. With rap music industry constantly changing some wondered why Jay-Z would even want to continue making records. Controversy arose with artists on Jay's label claiming he was not promoting those artist the way he should. Some said he was more concerned about his own records. Def Jam's first artist LL Cool J was supposedly upset with Jay's promotion of his last album Todd Smith. LL got two singles off the album, but the sales from the album were not what he wanted. Some say their may be beef between the two artists but Jay-Z denies the claims.

So should Jay-Z stay retired or continue with running his label and recording. Ultimately only time will tell. He is scheduled to release yet another album this week, American Gangster. Many feel the album will not do well. The first single Blue Magic, got mixed reviews as the single took a direction more like Jay' Z's earlier records. With his new single, Roc Boys, Jay- Z may be reviving hope in the album. No one will argue he is one of the greatest rappers of all times. He has accomplished as much as any artist in history. But is it time for him to step aside and let others make their mark in history? Truly only time will tell!