(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Since announcing his retirement in 2003, Jay-Z hasn’t slowed down. He did a joint album and tour with R. Kelly that ended sour. He collaborated with Linkin Park on the successful mash-up, “Collision Course.” He squashed his beef with longtime rival Nas in the epic “I Declare War” concert. He collaborated with Beyonce, both on her second solo album and on the final Destiny’s Child album. Not to mention he became the CEO of Def Jam Records.

It should be no surprise he boasts “I am the Mike Jordan of recording,” in his new single, “Show Me What You Got” off his first album in three years, “Kingdom Come.”

“Kingdom Come” shows Jay-Z still commands respect and proves he is worthy of the title MTV gave him on his tenth solo album.

The notable difference in “Kingdom Come” is from his other collaborations. He doesn’t feature any other rappers on the disc, but chooses to share the mic with vocalists ranging from Beyonce — naturally — to, oddly enough, Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

“I see your jealously as you’re watching … it’s the life, you’re blinded by the action, you need that Hollywood,” Beyonce sings over Jay-Z’s rhymes. “Hollywood” explains the glitz and glamour and seems to be a look into the relationship between the two superstars.

Jay-Z worked with the best as far as producers go, including The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Swizz Beatz and Chris Martin.

The resulting collaboration between Jay-Z and Martin, “Beach Chair,” is unexpected and a far departure from the rapper’s previous works. Jay-Z raps “Life is a but a dream to me,” while Martin sings with his familiar soothing tone.

Jay-Z addresses the treatment of blacks during Hurricane Katrina on the dark “Minority Report.”

Jay-Z said in an interview with MTV he got the inspiration for the title of the CD from the Superman comic that bares the same name, where Superman returns from self-imposed exile to a chaotic and apocalyptic world.

With all of his ventures, including being a part owner of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets, owning a club, owning a shoe and fashion line, recently being named GQ’s man of the year and being coined the “Greatest MC Of All Time” by MTV, Jay-Z may as well compare himself to Superman.

“Kingdom Come” is rap’s Superman stepping out of retirement and facing the rap world, which, lately, is purely gimmick and lacks substance, with songs such as “Walk It Out” and “Money In The Bank” clouding the airwaves.

With this album Jay-Z has not only upped the ante for the rap game but proved he won’t be retiring again anytime soon.