Avg Rating: 
3.0 ( 10 total votes )
Jay Rock - Checkmate
Artist: Jay Rock
Producer: The Futuristiks
Album: None (Promo Single)
Label: TDE/Strange Music
Life is a lot like chess: it was invented in India in the 6th Century A.D., it takes place on an eight-by-eight grid, and I can never seem to remember how all the pieces move. OK, OK, so my analogical reasoning might be a little rusty. For an alternate take, we turn to Jay Rock, whose latest promo single, Checkmate, sees him using the simile to illustrate the vital importance of careful planning and step-by-step action for those seeking to survive and thrive in the urban jungle. The Futuristiks set an appropriately gritty yet contemplative mood behind the boards, layering organ loops and bell flourishes over a leisurely percussion rhythm as the freestyle series alumnus tutors listeners on the delicate art of the hustle. Drawing on his own many years of experience in the streets, he advises those pursuing illicit paper to avoid recklessness in word as well as deed: “Phones tapped like leaky facets, so faulty / Your speech can be so costly; tread softly.” This joint isn’t attached to a larger project, but those digging it can find more dope beats and lyrical wisdom on debut set Follow Me Home, released last year via Jay’s former label home, Strange Music (Rock recently moved, along with his entire TDE stable, to Interscope.)
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11662 |
Rating:
Has Jay Rocks started to drink more green tea? Stopped smoking? Taking allergy meds? Not sure what it is, but his trademark raspy drawl is not always present. His vocals seem more clear, which isn't bad but always means his emotional connect to each word is also not as impactful. Still, this is a solid record.
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| Posted on Mar 28, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 7999 |
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Nice flow by Jay Rock on this hard-hitting production by the Futuristiks... I'll run it back again.
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| Posted on Mar 29, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 1638 |
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Dope flow from Jay Rock, this is a tight track.
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| Posted on Mar 29, 2012 |
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| Posted on Mar 29, 2012 |
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| Posted on Mar 29, 2012 |
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| Posted on Mar 30, 2012 |
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| Posted on Mar 30, 2012 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2919 |
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Pretty smooth joint right here
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| Posted on Apr 03, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 428 |
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lacks emotional impact as DJ Z wrote, the flow is clear and unshocking but has a hip beat.
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| Posted on Apr 04, 2012 |
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| Posted on Aug 08, 2012 |
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