Jay-Z's Songwriting Secret, Thriller vs Off The Wall + First Callers | Essential ELR 4.29.26

Essential Ebro Laura Rosenberg · Apr 29, 2026 · 28m

Key Moments:

(00:00:00) Launching the New Phone Lines: 844-ELR-ELR3

(00:01:25) The Thriller Backlash: Is the MJ Debate "Sacrilegious"?

(00:04:15) First Ever Caller: Juby from Westchester

(00:06:50) RZA, Hasan Piker + Zohran Mamdani Guest Teases

(00:08:45) NYT 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters List

(00:10:45) The Debate: Does Young Thug Belong on the NYT List?

(00:13:30) Jay-Z’s Interview: "Flow State" and the Art of the Triple Entendre

(00:16:30) Did Jay-Z Sub Drake for Trying to "Stay Young"?

(00:19:30) Aging in Hip Hop: Jay-Z, Nas + The Wu-Tang Runway

(00:23:45) Michael vs. Prince…