Video: Jay-Z: "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)"
Someday, Jay-Z might invite you to a party. If this happens, you will attend. The video for second American Gangster single "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)" has hit the internet, and it has all the self-confident grandeur necessary to keep the excitement about the rapper's latest album mounting. Diddy, Nas, Mariah Carey, Freeway... there's barely time to notice all the hip-hop guest stars in the house, let alone recognize them (taking notes, Common?). "This is black superheroes' music," Jay proclaims, as action-hero horns blare.
I still slightly prefer preceding single "Blue Magic" for its knotty wordplay and stark beats, but there's no denying the triumphant exuberance of "Roc Boys"-- and in terms of videos, there's hardly any comparison. "I get away with murder when I sling yay," (i.e., cocaine), Jay declares, as the video recounts a young drug-dealer's rise to become a legendary kingpin. Starting with a snippet of Lil Wayne-guesting "Hello Brooklyn", the video ends with the whole "to be continued" cliffhanger thing, but for once, this is a rap video you suspect might actually get a sequel. "Hovie's home," Jay concludes. Everybody know who the winner is?
[from American Gangster; out now on Def Jam]