Jay-Z’ “Picasso Baby”: Annoying Artsy Performance Film, or Work of Rap Art? Posted by Lucas Garrison on 08/05/13 | Filed under Videos, Jay-Z

While it might be hard to believe, it was only a month ago that Magna Carta Holy Grail dropped (only to Samsung people of course); for some reason, it feels like so long ago. Granted it was the top album on Billboard - until it was dethroned by the legendary Selena Gomez - but for the most part, I think the album has been largely cast aside and hasn't really been talked about much since the initial splash. For me personally, aside from “Picasso Baby” and “Somewhereinamerica”, I really haven’t spun the album that much. It was cool at the time and has some great beats, but was more of a flash in the pan than anything “classic”.

Well, in true MCHG fashion, Jay dropped an 11 minute visual for “Picasso Baby” which was less of a music video and more of mini-movie entitled Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film, but did it rekindle my love the luxurious summer album?

To be frank, no it didn’t. Don’t get me wrong, the video was interesting, well-done, and really fit well with the concept of the whole album, but it just felt too manufactured. Throughout the video, you see Jay rubbing elbows with some of the art worlds elite and writers, musicians, and actors like Michael K. Williams (Omar from "The Wire"). There are even a few regular folk, like a few kids, a street performer, and a really bizarre artist who seems to really, really love art. The video itself is a total microcosm for the whole album where Jay weaves together high-society and hip-hop in an over-indulgent, lavish manner. The idea was cool and novel to me a month ago, but now I think I am kind of over it, which makes "Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film" seem more pretentious and over-blown than groundbreaking.

I think the big turn off for me was that it feels like one massive “you had to be there” story. It was probably awesome to be in the audience and see this live, but I think the experience is lost on those watching from home. It’s kind of like watching a concert video; you can see how cool it is, but there just isn’t anything like actually being there. We get it Jay has transcended the hip-hop world and become something greater (and we love you for it), but wheeling out art dealers, artists, and all of his high-profile friends only goes so far; the lavish, self-indulgent vibe was novel and shiny at first, but I have grown a little tired of it. This feels less like a merger of two cultures and more like being pretentiously artsy for the sake of being pretentiously artsy. Hey it wasn’t all for not, that piano remix of "Picasso Baby" at the end was so awesome; I need that version of the song more way more than I need to see Jay dancing with some strange lady.

As always, lets hear from you Refined Hype Nation. Nathan and I disagree on the video, so I am especially curious to hear what everyone else has to say about the mini-film. Do you like it? Are you tired of the high-society Jay?

See Also:  Here’s a Stream of Jay-Z’ “Magna Carta Holy Grail”. Let the Debate Begin…