The Grey Album: Jay-Z and the Beatles

Genius. Pure genius. I finally got my hands on a copy of "the Grey Album," and I can't stop listening to it.

So what is "the Grey Album?" It is an outstanding cross between "the White Album" by the Beatles and "the Black Album" by Jay-Z. I know that, from the description, it sounds like it must be weird, but I swear, these 2 records must have been made to go together.

The mastermind behind this project is not John, Paul, George, Ringo, or even Jay-Z. This guy from NY called DJ Danger Mouse (AKA Brian Burton) took the a-cappella tracks from Jay-Z's "The Black Album" and laid them over samples from the Beatles' "the White Album." He then mixed up some new beats and, magic was made... THE GREY ALBUM. Guitar rifs from "Helter Skelter" give the arrogant and clever words of "99 problems" an aggressive drive and an instantly classic feel. The rhythms and rhymes of Jaz-Z just sound so good when played over top of "while my guitar gently weeps." It is so interesting and so different, you really have to hear it to fully appreciate it.

This release has been very controversial because of copyright laws etc. DJ Danger Mouse didn't write a single word or note of this album, but he released it as his compilation. There are tons of people who think that the dead members of the Beatles are rolling over in their graves in reaction to this desecration of their art. When confronted the DJ had this to say: "If somebody like Ringo or Paul McCartney heard it, I think they would dig it." Nonetheless, he does not have the rights to commercially sell this work, so you have to utilize different channels if you want to hear it. I got mine from my brother who got it from his friend who got it from his friend who got it from his friend who's friend is my wife's brother in law's brother's friend. You will probably have to get it in a similar manner (or you could download it).