Welp, you’re gonna have to do with this live performance of today’s song; its studio version can’t be found anywhere online. Streaming platforms are the way to go here: Spotify, Apple Music, or preferably TIDAL in Jay-Z’s case. This appears to be the first Jay-Z song I’ve covered in this long, long seven year list I’m in the process of doing, so I’ll just give you my small and insignificant thoughts on the man. I’m not the biggest fan. He’s regarded as one of the best rappers of all time, that’s fine. What do people think of when Jay-Z comes to mind? Probably Beyoncé. But then there’s his voice. Again, one of the most iconic voices behind a microphone. When he starts rapping, you instantly know it’s him. Have I ever wanted to listen to that voice on a regular basis? Can’t say yes. But the man makes good music, I can see that.

‘Lucifer’ is the 12th track on The Black Album, a record released back in 2003. That album was promoted to be Jay-Z’s last before going into retirement, and there was this whole documentary on the making of the Black Album following Mr. Carter as he worked with Kanye West, Rick Rubin, Timbaland and many more producers to get the job done. Alongside fellow album track ‘Encore’, Kanye West produced ‘Lucifer’ taking a sample of Max Romeo’s ‘Chase the Devil’ and layering a piano riff and a whole lot of percussion on top. Jay-Z raps about sinning under the eyes of the Lord, and seeking revenge on the killers of his late friend and hip-hop legend The Notorious B.I.G. The final verse is also dedicated to Robert “Bobalob” Burke who was killed in 2003, and Jay-Z prays to God that Burke is allowed into heaven because, even though he may have sinned in his lifetime, he was an overall good man. The match of Kanye’s production with Jay’s vocal here is just perfect. It wasn’t the first time the two collaborated, but everything from the groove to Jay’s confident delivery works too well. Well, the kick drum may be a bit overbearing to some, I don’t know.

My sister got The Black Album, I want to say in 2004, and I have vivid memories of that ‘LUCIFER-LUCIFER SON OF THE MORNING’ sample blaring from the computer speakers as she played it on Windows Media Player. I think that’s just been ingrained in my head ever since. I also like the song ‘Change Clothes’ from the album; that song features the one and only Pharrell Williams. I would suggest listening to the album as a whole. Below is a clip from the aforementioned documentary, showing Jay-Z and Kanye West working on this song together in the studio.