By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Hands down, the most-influential album of 2011 was Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaborative effort, Watch the Throne. Every song off the album has been freestyled over multiple times by both big-name rappers and rising rappers. On the promotional single, “H.A.M.,” Jay-Z subliminally dissed Cash Money Records, which led to Lil Wayne responding to the line on his multi-platinum album, Tha Carter IV, on the “It’s Good” track.
Not only have rappers freestyled over the Watch the Throne tracks and dissed The Throne, they have also joined for their own collaborative albums. Since the release of Watch the Throne, several other hip hop duos have announced their joint albums. Most of these albums include popular rappers and their protges trading lines. With more rappers coming together for collaborative albums, Jay-Z and Kanye West are considering a sequel to their first joint album.
The influence of Watch the Throne expands past hip hop, as comedians have drawn inspiration. Since the popularity of “Everybody Hates Chris,” Chris Rock has risen to become one of the most-popular comedians in the game. Before Chris Rock rose to his current level of popularity, one of the biggest names was Dave Chappelle. Chris Rock recently reached out to Dave Chappelle to go on a joint tour. Watching the success Jay-Z and Kanye West had with Watch the Throne inspired Chris Rock to reach out to Chappelle to do the tour, but the likelihood of the tour happening is still in doubt.
