Kingdom Come
by Jay-Z
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    While many will no doubt have set the bar of their expectations too high, Jay-Z has pulled out all of the stops on Kingdom Come.
  2. The Guardian
    80
    At 37, he's still at the top of his game.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    63
    If he wants to save hip-hop, as he claims, Jay-Z needs to think beyond his usual game. He has the smarts and experience; perhaps his next comeback will show more royal ambition.
  5. Prefix Magazine
    70
    At its best, Kingdom Come is about possibility. At its worst, it pales in comparison to past albums.
  6. PopMatters
    70
    Kingdom Come is a solid record, and entirely worth the cost just to hear Jay-Z spit a new song, but in the end it just can’t live up the expectations it tattoos all over itself.
  7. RapReviews.com
    85
    "Kingdom Come" is everything you expected.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Four duds out of 14 tracks isn't a fireable offense. But shouldn't the corner-office mogul demand more of his top earner?
  9. Billboard
    70
    His ambitions and self-awareness have grown nearly as much as his net worth. [2 Dec 2006]
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  10. The A.V. Club
    83
    Kingdom Come follows the same sturdy formula as The Black Album, Reasonable Doubt, and The Blueprint, with a minimum of guests, a reasonable running time, and trendy beats from top producers. But the urgency just isn't there.
  11. Playlouder
    80
    People who hate the venality and misogyny of modern mainstream rap will find this a particularly joyless experience, but this unwavering and energising disc at least has the courage of its convictions and makes the immediate competition look like the mealy mouthed twats they are.
  12. Dot Music
    70
    This is far from being a bad album - Jay has never made one of those, nor given the impression he is capable of doing so - but it rarely rises to the levels he has consistently reached.
  13. musicOMH.com
    80
    The album doesn't reach the heights of the seminal Black Album but is an exciting opener to a hectic schedule for Def Jam.
  14. Rolling Stone
    70
    On Kingdom Come, the highs are really high, and the lows are really low.

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Most Discussed Album of 2006
68
#68 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 130
  3. Negative: 19 out of 130
  1. gabriscaff
    Jan 1, 2021
    8
    Kingdom Come is an hip hop album to re-admit Jay-Z into the game after three years. Based on solid production by Justin Blaze, Hova speaksKingdom Come is an hip hop album to re-admit Jay-Z into the game after three years. Based on solid production by Justin Blaze, Hova speaks bars, with unique flow. In particular, the first part of the LP is at high level. On the second part, the are some misses, and duet with Chris Martin don't make me emotions. List of features are interesting, with R&B and pop singer, some made great job (Ne-Yo and Beyonce), difference from others.
    To conclude, Kingdome Come is a solid album release by Jay-Z. Probably it will be not the best, but is not his worst.    … Full Review »
  2. axelkoch
    Aug 15, 2013
    6
    Admittedly, to return after a short hiatus and having to follow-up one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time is not an easy task. AndAdmittedly, to return after a short hiatus and having to follow-up one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time is not an easy task. And sadly, Jay-Z didn’t succeed in that with Kingdom Come. It’s not as bad as some insult it to be, but Carter only shows his ingenuity at few moments and also disappoints with almost everyone of his featured artists safe John Legend who additionally spices up one of the album’s finest moments, an emotional message to an imprisoned friend of Jay-Z. The only bad moments of the record are Anything and Hollywood, two consecutive disappointments merely focused on creating a radio-friendly tune without substance. The rest of Kingdom Come is mostly a forgettably unspectacular assemblage of the same old topics and the New York hip hop old hand exercising himself in mediocrity. Double entendres and stunning rhyme schemes are present, yet only in a handful of outstanding songs, namely Lost One, Trouble, Minority Report, and Beach Chair. All in all, this makes for an album better than Jay-Z’s Vol. series as well as The Dynasty, but simply not enough for what he already proved to be capable of.… Full Review »
  3. Mcritic19
    Aug 22, 2011
    8
    When i first heard the album i was not impressed but going back to it years later makes this album good. jay Z was ahead of the pack with thisWhen i first heard the album i was not impressed but going back to it years later makes this album good. jay Z was ahead of the pack with this album. Classic club songs like "hollywood" and lyrically great songs like "lost ones" and "beach chair" make this album.… Full Review »
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