4:44
by Jay-Z
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 405 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 316 out of 405
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 405
  3. Negative: 63 out of 405
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  1. belzebu
    Nov 20, 2022
    10
    the one and only gooooooaaaaaaat of NY, Nas ain't even a shoe of jaaaay and if you think differently you're just duuumb
  2. clem666
    Apr 17, 2022
    9
    After four years of silence Jay-Z is back with this fire project. It is very hard to believe it was only produced by one person, No I.D. The production is just top notch, ground-breaking and pure. Samples are fire. Tracks have their own identity, they are inhabited even before Jay-Z comes to embellish them.

    He delivers beautiful and highly polished lyrics from start to bottom. Jay    After four years of silence Jay-Z is back with this fire project. It is very hard to believe it was only produced by one person, No I.D. The production is just top notch, ground-breaking and pure. Samples are fire. Tracks have their own identity, they are inhabited even before Jay-Z comes to embellish them.

    He delivers beautiful and highly polished lyrics from start to bottom. Jay almost never sounded that confident in my opinion. On top of that, he manages to be tender and vulnerable, and God knows how much these qualities are missing in the 'rap game'. I thank him for keeping the album straight-forward with ten titles 'only'. Themes addressed are as terrific as the guests appearances (Frank Ocean & Beyoncé to only cite them). I was a bit disappointed by the Damian Marley track but I think the performance remains decent.

    Very engaging and rewarding. It's a pleasure to listen to it again and again through years.    … Expand
  3. garfield7081
    Mar 25, 2022
    7
    Great album that seems to fall off upon entering the second half

    best song: 4:44

    worst song: bam
  4. CordRafael
    Feb 17, 2022
    9
    so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil
  5. Tammie
    Apr 16, 2021
    10
    It's a masterpiece! You know, this is amazing!!!
  6. erujabidi
    Apr 7, 2020
    10
    jay was back on this project. deserves much more recognition than it gets to be honest. hope to hear more from him. 4:44 is gonna be a grower for years to come
  7. Gamemod
    Feb 1, 2020
    8
    .This album was really good. I loved what Jay talked about and the production on here was amazing.
  8. Ricko
    Nov 4, 2018
    9
    This is up there with Jay-Z's, who for me is a genius, best work. A collection of influences come together to make an album that is innovative, tackles deeply personal themes yet at the same time is ear catching and inspiring. For an artist of Jay-Z's stature to open himself up to this extent at this point in his career and life is staggering. 4.44 is an album that has everything.
  9. cheiry4
    Jun 21, 2018
    10
    Best album released in 2017! Love how personal this album....Hov is the GOAT
  10. bambi
    Jun 17, 2018
    9
    An album that Jay Z can talk about what he wants to talk. He perfectly articulates the ideas he would like to talk about.

    The production of every tracks by No ID is perfect. Great samples are combined with great beats.
  11. Alessio99
    Jun 17, 2018
    9
    Love this album, especially how Hov makes you feel like anybody can have their anagnorisis late on and still make the best of a bad experience, with him and Beyonce mixing well and Frank having lovely vocals.
  12. zapV
    Jan 2, 2018
    7
    On this short but rich album Jay-z honestly ruminates on his personal struggles, family, race, success, modern music and his legacy.
  13. itsvague
    Nov 30, 2017
    7
    The 3rd album released after the infamous night of the elevator battle scene features male drama, family feuds and killer samples perfectly mixed with hip-hop/rap. JAY Z evolves drastically following some kind of Kendrick-Lamared poetic tones that'll definitely earn him some golden gramophones next year.

    HIghlights: Kill JAY Z, The Story of O.J., Family Feud, 4:44, Legacy.
  14. NintendoJapan
    Nov 24, 2017
    9
    It is absolutely incredible after all these years, Jay-Z can release a banger like he has with 4:44. His honest lyrics combined with the usual amazing Jay-Z wordplay makes 4:44 one of the best 2017 releases. His flow is just incredible to listen to and the beats on every track is on par.
  15. Willugh
    Nov 4, 2017
    7
    Really like how raw it was. The album really shows both vulnerable and egocentric side of him. Lyrics are great and deep. None of the tracks are fillers. Overall, it's a good album.
  16. Marcosotica
    Oct 6, 2017
    0
    Album bem ruim amores, nao é nada do que estavamos esperando, nao chega aos pes dos melhores albuns da atualizade, infelizmente o jay z nao tem mais talento;
  17. as1an
    Sep 5, 2017
    9
    A deep and inspirational album from Jay-Z which deals with real social issues such as building upward mobility within the black community. It questions the very materialistic lifestyle which rap was founded upon. The beats are great and Jay-Z delivers some insane flows on this project. The album doesn't need to be long because Jay-Z gives his message clearly.
  18. Hafsa
    Aug 19, 2017
    10
    Smart, insightful, vulnerable and overall DOPE album. One of my favorite Hov's work, by far. Also the production of every single song is incredibly done by NO I.D.
  19. RealOpinions
    Jul 21, 2017
    10
    Un gran trabajo realizado por Jay-Z, no hay palabras para describir la perfección de este álbum, un álbum muy estructurado en todo sentido y visualmente una Joya.
  20. MR_headphones
    Jul 20, 2017
    7
    jay z - 4:44
    mini review

    kill jay z: 6/10 forgettable
    the story of O.J: 9/10 basically perfect except for a few flubbed rhymes
    smile: 5/10 forgettable
    caught in there eyes: 5/10 forgettable
    4:44: 7/10 great beat
    family feud: 7/10 great beat
    bam: 5/10
    moonlight: 5/10
    marcy me: 7/10
    legacy: 6/10

    best:"the story of O.J, 4:44, family feud, marcy me
    worst: moonlight

    light 7
  21. FruitJuice
    Jul 17, 2017
    8
    great album............................................................................................................................................................
  22. jeesantoos
    Jul 17, 2017
    10
    The album is amazing. Full of smart and deep songs. Wordplay is amazing, and you get a sense that real Rhythm and Poetry is being delivered. Those who are looking exclusively for club bangers pass right beside the great message that's being sent. I think this will go down as another Jay Z classic album.
  23. Borwaka
    Jul 17, 2017
    8
    Jay-Z delivers introspection, maturity, growth over unconventional flows on beautifully produced tracks. This latest endeavour shows us that he still has it. The mature lyrics display the human side of Hov, which is something we've long awaited.

    Not only is the record a well crafted project but, it is also concise and focused. Jay doesn't give us a moment of pause; instead, he delivers    Jay-Z delivers introspection, maturity, growth over unconventional flows on beautifully produced tracks. This latest endeavour shows us that he still has it. The mature lyrics display the human side of Hov, which is something we've long awaited.

    Not only is the record a well crafted project but, it is also concise and focused. Jay doesn't give us a moment of pause; instead, he delivers a hefty array of subjects to contemplate. Which in turn makes this album something to listen to over and over. The great production and soulful tracks allow 4:44 to be a project to vibe to and to dissect.

    While it's overall a great album, and will most likely be within Jay's top three or four records, nothing about this album makes it perfect.

    What's missing: punchier lyrics, more complex flow, a fuller tracklist, and more introspection.

    This is a great piece of art, but it's more like an appetizer than a full LP. We're wanting more.    … Expand
  24. BigTyCoon
    Jul 14, 2017
    10
    This is Jay's best album in years and his most open and personal. It's time he did this and man we as fans are rewarded greatly. Can't wait to listen to this over and over again. And he still has bars!
  25. gersg
    Jul 14, 2017
    8
    I loved this album, and it was so good that I wasn't even expecting it, it caught me by surprise. Jay Z is brutally honest in the lyrics, criticizing mainly politics and personal matters. My favorite song "Kill Jay Z"
  26. victorcarter
    Jul 12, 2017
    10
    this is the best album that i've ever heard in my entire. Jay-Z has delivered an fantastic, insanely banging on all levels album from start to finish.
  27. joaofelin
    Jul 10, 2017
    8
    Kill Jay Z - 6
    The Story of O.J. - 7
    Smile - 10
    Caught Their Eyes - 8
    4:44 - 8
    Family Feud - 8
    Bam - 9
    Moonlight - 8
    Marcy Me - 7
    Legacy - 7

    score: 7,8
  28. Thegodfatherson
    Jul 9, 2017
    10
    Jay Z reclaims his throne, by outdoing himself on this latest record. Everything, down to the production, the choice of samples, and the vocals is carefully mastered and perfected. 4:44 is a deeply personal account, and one that entertains rather than drag.
  29. NeutralMilkH
    Jul 9, 2017
    8
    Jay-Z is at his most vulnerable here, as every song reveals what is so great about the character and lyricism of Jay-Z, while at the same time revealing how flawed he is as a human being and a person who carries certain moral beliefs. The album itself will prove to be a hard listen for people who only want to listen to music that is "popular" but will prove to be a rewarding experience forJay-Z is at his most vulnerable here, as every song reveals what is so great about the character and lyricism of Jay-Z, while at the same time revealing how flawed he is as a human being and a person who carries certain moral beliefs. The album itself will prove to be a hard listen for people who only want to listen to music that is "popular" but will prove to be a rewarding experience for those of you who choose to embrace it's witty lyrics, confident flow, and surprising consistency. I may write a longer review of this album soon, but for now, I don't want to go too deep into what makes this album a worthy listen.… Expand
  30. TimW001
    Jul 8, 2017
    9
    Great album, great beats. Especially love the depth of the lyrics. It has a classic sound and stitch back beats to an earlier hip hop era, which is welcome. Some great songs like 4:44, Bam, The Story of O.J. Obviously the Tidal issues will overshadow the album but it's still a strong album.

    "Look, I apologise, often womanise Took for my child to be born See through a woman's eyes    Great album, great beats. Especially love the depth of the lyrics. It has a classic sound and stitch back beats to an earlier hip hop era, which is welcome. Some great songs like 4:44, Bam, The Story of O.J. Obviously the Tidal issues will overshadow the album but it's still a strong album.

    "Look, I apologise, often womanise
    Took for my child to be born
    See through a woman's eyes
    Took for these natural twins to believe in miracles
    Took me too long for this song
    I don't deserve you
    Yeah, I'll **** up a good thing if you let me
    Let me alone, Becky
    A man that don't take care his family can't be rich"    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2017
24
#24 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. The Wire
    Oct 11, 2017
    60
    A few tracks stand apart: "Story Of OJ" and "Mercy Me" both impress for verve and venom if not his every chain of thought. Otherwise it's all so dry that after a couple of listens it feels more like spoken word. [Sep 2017, p.62]
  2. Record Collector
    Aug 17, 2017
    80
    A mere 36 minutes in length, it’s an all-killer no-filler triumph.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Aug 14, 2017
    90
    Already one of the greatest rappers in history, this is the kind of late career artistic push that will cement Jay-Z’s place on rap’s Mount Rushmore. This is Jay-Z walking onto the stage alone, standing contritely in front of the world, and speaking from the heart, revealing himself in order to heal.
    Read full review
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