Jay-Z decided to get into the process of myth-making with
Streets Is Watching, a documentary about his life. Unlike many hip-hop movies, the film purports to be about the real
Jay-Z and how he keeps things on the street. While that matter is open to debate, it is true that the soundtrack is street-level hip-hop, both for better and for worse. Many of the artists on the collection are underground rappers --
Jay-Z and Noreaga are the best-known names here -- who all follow a similar style: hard-hitting beats and blunt (as well as blunted) freestyle raps. There are some really good moments here, enough to make it worthwhile for dedicated fans of the genre, but there's also enough repetition here to make it a little trying for casual listeners. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine