Jay-Z - The Blueprint

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Music reviews of The Blueprint

Music Review: Jay-Z Delivers A Gem
Rating: 5 Stars

The amazing thing about this album is that Jay just writes. He spills his guts and spits what he is actully thinking unlike many artists who just ride on what's hot right now. But Jay doesn't try to fit a certain mold on "The Blueprint" and that's what makes it so hot, even after two years since the recording.

Ruler's Back is the intro and it's a steller intro, one of the best I've heard in some time. Nasty beat, nasty lyrics, vintige Jay-Z. You knoe this joint is going to be fire.

Takeover is the first real track and it is full of raw, unadulterated hate toward his arch-rival Nas, the popular East Coast bred MCs Mobb Deep, and sucka MC's in general. This was a mean-spirited, classic diss...(until Nas made a better one with "Ether" off the equally-good "Stillmatic".)

"Izzo" follows Takeover and it is the smash hit off the album. It has a light, bouncy chorus and a very catchy beat. One of the better Jay-Z hits...much better than "Excuse Me Miss" or "Me and My Girlfriend" off "Blueprint 2: The Gift and Curse".

"Girls, Girls, Girls" is another track that recieved major airtime on urban radio stations. The lyrics are both hilarious and intrigueing and a hook done well by legends such as Biz Markie and Slick Rick among others. I know Jay does alot of songs about girls but this is defiantly his best one espically because of the beautiful beat it features.

"Jigga That Nigga" also got some time on the radio but unlike the first two doesn't hit as hard. It is a decent track, nothing more or less. Skipable.

"You Don't Know" features that famous Roc-A-Fella beat that label mate Cam'Ron often uses, most famously on "Oh Boy" which blew up in early 2002. Nice track though as Jay Z comes lyrically ready for any challenger.

"Hola Hovito" has the best beat on here by far. Not taking anything away from the rest of these producers like Kayne West and Just Blaze but Timbaland laces Hova tight. And the lyrics are top notch. And the chorus has one of the best melodies I've ever heard.

"Heart of the City" has a unique beat with Jay flowing his ... off. Nice.

"Never Change" is without a doubt number one on here. The beat (done brilliantly by Kayne West) is probably one of Hova's Top 3 or 5 of all-time as it is a Mafia-like killer beat. And the lyrics as well as the chorus are fire.

"Song Cry" and "All I Need" are the next tracks and are a bit slower. Both are good but nothing to rave about. "Song Cry" is about a releationship gone bad and "All I Need" has one of the famous Harlem beats that the Roc made famous.

"Renagade" lyrically is the best joint on here. Eminem is the tighest he has ever been and Jay Z is...well, Jay Z. It has the me against the world type of feel and addresses all haters. Orginally, Royce Da 5'9 was where Jay Z is but apparently Sean Carter liked the song so much he wanted it for himself. Em uses the same verses that are on the orginal one but it still is as hot as ever. And Jay replaces Royce quite nicely although Marshall Mathers is simply better (on this joint).

Next is "Blueprint" where Jay thanks everybody who has helped get him to where he is. Slow, relaxing beat. Following this (but still number 13, just a little while after) another track comes on and it is solid. After that the last featured song is "Girls, Girls, Girls Remix" which is as good or even better than the original.

Is this a classic? That's the one thing that is often discussed and debated and to be honest I'm not sure. It's not as good as "Reasonable Doubt" but than again it would be near impossible to top it. It is the second best Jay Z CD no doubt though. I would say yes, this is a classic. Modern day classics are VERY hard to come by. In 2003 there has been no 5-mic, jaw dropping releases. Nor in 2002. This dropped in late 2001 (was supposed to on 9/11 but of course was delayed).

"Stillmatic" followed Jay-Z's "Blueprint" and in my opinion was equally as good and saved Nas's AND Jay-Z's dwindiling career. They were both modern day classics I beleive both recieved 5 Mics in The Source. So if you like this you should defiantly cop "Stillmatic." Even if you are a Jay fan it's worth having both.

But anyway, this is a must-buy. Hell, "Never Change" is worth it alone. Cop this now. And than on November 28th, 2003 get "The Black Album" a HIGHLY hyped album with Jay saying it will be one of the best CDs EVER. And it will have an unheard of 12 producers on 12 tracks. So jam to "The Blueprint" until Thanksgiving and you won't be sorry. Peace.

1

-PimPentel

Description of The Blueprint

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• Music > Styles
• Rap & Hip-Hop