Jay-Z/Vic Mensa

Likely to be nominated and inducted into the Rock Hall in his first year of eligibility in 2020, rapper and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z continues to release albums that matter. His latest effort, 4:44, includes cameos from Frank Ocean, Damian Marley, Beyoncé and his mother, Gloria Carter. Songs such as the slow-mo “The Story of OJ” and “Smile” sound like urban fairytales as Jay-Z raps about a few of his personal trials and tribulations and makes references to the gentrification of his native Brooklyn. Arrive early to catch opener Vic Mensa, a guy who also chronicles his hard knock life on his latest effort. (Niesel)