Holy Grail

Todd plays "Holy Grail" on the piano.

JAY-Z ft. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - HOLY GRAIL A pop song review

Todd: Hov!


 * Video for "Dirt Off Your Shoulder"
 * Jay-Z: You're now tuned in to the motherfuckin' greatest
 * Get. That.

Todd (VO): One thing I love about Jay-Z is that, even with how long his career's gone at this point, he clearly still cares a lot about being the biggest name in music. The only rapper still around with a career like his is [clip of...] Snoop Dogg, and Snoop gives off the impression that he's more than comfortable being a living legend who doesn't have to flex nuts 'cause he knows he got 'em.

Todd: And that's certainly impressive, but there's also something to be said for Jay-Z at his age still going out there like he's got something to prove.


 * Clip of Magna Carta Holy Grail'' commercial

Todd (VO): And Jay-Z is still very much trying to be the biggest name in the name, as evidenced by his twelfth—[album cover] yes, twelfth—studio album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, an album Jay-Z felt was so stunning, he named it after two of the most renowned, legendary artifacts of Western culture.

Todd: Who else would dare to elevate their record to this level of religious grandiosity... [promo poster for Yeezus by...] oh, of course. Don't ever change, Kanye.


 * Clip of Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film 

Todd (VO): And Jay-Z clearly means for this album to be perceived to be as legendary as its namesakes. Skipping the normal promotion cycle, Jay dropped his new album very suddenly and with no warning but a three-minute commercial during the NBA Finals and a six-hour performance at the New York Art Gallery. Clearly, Jay-Z means for this album to be seen as a towering masterpiece.

Todd: So let us look at this, his lead-off single from this album, featuring frequent collaborator and fellow biggest name in music, Justin Timberlake. It is entitled, "Holy Grail". Enjoy.


 * Video for "Holy Grail", intercut with brief clips of Todd rocking out, pretty much entirely by habit.
 * Justin: You take the clothes off my back
 * And I let you
 * You'd steal the food right out my mouth
 * And I watch you eat it


 * Jay-Z: Blue told me to remind you niggas
 * Fuck that shit y’all talkin' about
 * I'm the nigga
 * Curtains all in my window
 * This fame hurt
 * But this chain works
 * I think back
 * You asked the same person
 * If this is all you had to deal with
 * Nigga deal with


 * Justin: Ooh...don't know why.

Todd: Well, that sucked!

Transcript in progress