On ‘The Dynasty,’ Production Isn’t Equal to Jay-Z’s Talents

Maybe Jay-Z should have waited a little longer to release his new album. Only 10 months after issuing his fourth collection, the Brooklyn rapper returns with an album that lacks the punch usually associated with this supreme lyricist. While his last two albums included spectacular singles, “The Dynasty” is essentially a collection of album cuts.

The strongest work comes when Jay-Z and his colleagues explore the heartbreak accompanying damaged or broken relationships. On “Where Have You Been,” Jay-Z and protege Beanie Sigel express the pain they’ve experienced because of absentee fathers. Sigel sounds as though he’s about to cry as he revisits the memories, making for a tremendously emotional performance. In other standout cuts, Jay-Z proclaims that he’s not worthy of a romantic relationship (“Soon You’ll Understand”), and Snoop Dogg guests on a damnation of money-chasing women (“Get Your Mind Right Mami”).

As strong as Jay-Z and, to a lesser degree, his guests are at times, the production remains largely flat throughout, a stark contrast to the rest of his body of work, which has consistently featured an explosive sonic approach. Jay-Z remains at the top of his game, but those surrounding him can hardly keep up.

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