Best of Both Worlds [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

R. Kelly, Jay-Z

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 19, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Roc-a-Fella
• ASIN: B000063BPE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #88,224 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Despite the star power and the hyped-up title, this mano y mano between R&B heavyweight R. Kelly and rap master Jay-Z isn't what fans might have expected. In fact, this CD teeters dangerously close to being little more than a macho vanity project. One could assume that initial intentions were good. After all, R.  and Jay's collabo "Fiesta" was a sleazy slice of playa-party fun, but this full-length project, for which the stars recorded their parts separately, is disjointed and somewhat dull. Instead of taking R&B and rap to new heights, Best of Both Worlds proves, once again, that (graphic) sex is the only thing on R. Kelly's mind and Jay-Z can probably rhyme in his sleep. There are tolerable moments, à la the title track, which features R. Kelly's trademark sweeping melodies and Jay-Z's deadpan wit, but even some good hooks and poignant observations can't excuse insultingly juvenile cuts like "Honey" and "P***y." The best of both worlds? Not even close. --Amy Linden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars ..., April 9, 2002

By	John M (Victoria,BC,Can) - See all my reviews

I like Jay-Z, and R kelly can be good ..., but this is awful and made strictly for the money and reflects the music industry's current state......in dire needs of originality.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars [Not a good choice], March 31, 2002

By	SantaCruz (Germany) - See all my reviews

Jay-Z, R. Kelly & Trackmasters - a formula which has proven to be successful in the past ("Fiesta Remix", "Guilty Until Proven Innnocent"). And now a whole album of 13 potential smash hits? What could possibly go wrong? Well, the problem with this piece of work is that all songs just sound the same due to the weak production by Trackmasters. You'll get tired of it very quickly. Yes, the beats are probably the biggest weakpoint of "Best of Both Worlds".

Speaking of which... The best of both worlds? Definitively not from the hiphop world. Jay-Z's rhymes are too simple and his flow lacks the certain something. After his epic debut "Reasonable Doubt", his follow-ups were plain wack. With his latest solo album "The Blueprint" though, he came back with a vengeance. So expectations for his appearance on this collabo were high and he couldn't fulfill them at all.

R. Kelly on the other hand does a pretty good job. His voice never sounded better and his pseudo-gangster-flow is pleasing to the ear. Unfortunatly, this isn't enough to save the record. The best cuts are "Take You Home With Me A.K.A. Body" and "Break Up To Make Up"; "Somebody's Girl" is o.k. - The rest, well, don't mention it.

So don't cop this one and save your money, unless you're a die-hard fan of R. Kelly or Jay-Z.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Best of Nothing New, March 27, 2002

By	E.J. Rupert (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

Before I start, let me just ask one question: Who was asking for an R. Kelly/Jay-Z collabo album, anyway? Sure, "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" and the "Fiesta" remix were bangers, but that's no reason to run to the studio and throw an album together. But it sounds like that's exactly what the two brothas did.

The Best of Both Worlds is full of been-there, done-that material over below average production mostly by the Trackmasters. A shame, since Jay-Z just released his critically acclaimed The Blueprint and R. Kelly got some props with his TP2.com some time ago. Truly, this album will only appeal to the die-hard fans of either artist.

R. Kelly is known for pushing some great ballads like "I Believe I Can Fly" and some corny raunchy songs like "Half on a Baby". On this effort, he shoots for the latter and brings us such material as "Naked" and "Somebody's Girl". There is also a huge lack of his soulful singing that he used to overcome his questionable songwriting like he did on his past albums. As for Jay-Z, he spits okay lyrics but they're far from his best. "Break Up To Make Up" showcases him once again biting Biggie's catalogue spitting, "Think about it while the streets you roam...", and "Shake Ya Body" features a tight flow but full of nothing special.

Sure, the song titles are generic ("Naked", "Shake Ya Body", "Get This Money", "Shorty", etc.), but production is the biggest flaw. This album is full of undercooked beats and rhythm that if you tried to bump them in the car or at a party you'll slap yourself silly. Mostly done by the Trackmasters, they are also repetitive, as you'll hear the same drum-and-hand-clap percussion in songs like "Shorty" and "Somebody's Girl" that was already used in Ludacris and co.'s "Fatty Girl", City High's "Caramel" remix, Michael's "You Rock My World" remix, and even in the "Fiesta" remix. Soon they get to be so repetitive that even the Neptunes would complain about the redundancy.

Though Jay's rap on "Honey" will make listeners wonder what if the whole album was that exciting, this album just won't be missed by anyone. If you do decide to get it, be ready to put your fast-forward button into early retirement. This is reason why you should pick up their SOLO albums instead if you want Kelly and Hova's best. Because if these guys are The Best of Both Worlds, then what are these worlds coming to?