Dear Jay-Z

Kudos Jay, kudos. I've been one of your most staunch critics over the past year, saying that you were going through the motions of rap to some degree. However, after watching this video, I realize that your eye for detail is so much greater than most could imagine. Arguably, this was the best song on The Blueprint 3. Not only did it quench the thirst of people like myself who were doubting your hunger, it also showed your lyricism was never lost to the wind. Not to mention, the video is visually enthralling. From the black and white theme, to the slow motion drops, to the wires dancing, to the avante-garde caricatures, this video was an experience. It fits the song, and doesn't follow the traditional scope of rap visuals. I may have spoken badly about your approach to hip-hop in the last decade, but I suppose ringing in the new year with a bang more than suffices. Again, kudos, Mr. Carter...

PS: Who exactly is the dude behind you and Swizz though?? Not that it's important, but I hate random cameos in music videos without explanation...