As a writer, Jay-Z was much more focused, precise, and nuanced on "American Gangster" than he was here. The concept songs were more thoroughly executed, his flows were tighter, and he had a more compelling story in general. He was clearly more inspired with American Gangster, and Magna Carta Holy Grail is more or less a standard Jay-Z album (a good one, BTW).

Mind you, I like MCHG. But tracks like "Oceans" or "Heavens" put more depth into clever lines than they do into fully exploring the concept, IMO. You have decent imagery/symbols, but he doesn't *really* dig. They're dope songs, and I think they get satisfactory grades. But by contrast, American Gangster's songs like "I Know," "Fallin'," and "Pray" delve deeper and are more descriptive. I think the flossing/spitting songs are better on American Gangster, too.

MCHG has better production, I'd say. But I think AG wins with the rhymes.