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The Blueprint

Jay-Z

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iTunes Review

Jay-Z could just as easily have called The Blueprint, his sixth album, “Takeover.” On the song of that name, he methodically disses pretenders to his throne over a Kanye West-chosen sample of the Doors’ stomp “Five to One.” His anger feels undeniable, but he’s smart enough to know that battle rhyming is kind of a joke, too (“Yeah, I sampled your voice,” he tells Nas. “You was usin’ it wrong”). That rather complex blend marks The Blueprint as a whole, with fun, seriousness and intimations of danger marking tracks like “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “The Ruler’s Back.” But while Jay-Z spends much time examining all around him and liking what he sees (the playful “Girls, Girls, Girls”), and spinning gripes — the poor-little-rich-kid showcase “Ain’t No Love (In the Heart of the City)” — he drops his various degrees of schtick several times, most notably on “Song Cry,” a deeply felt remembrance of an early love affair. Could it be that bragging and cash just aren’t enough?

Customer Reviews

Hova's second classic

Hov might not bring the lyrical skills he did on Reasonable Doubt or even on some of Vol 1. (City is Mine, You Must Love Me.) However the production value on this album makes this the east coast verison of Dr Dre's 2001. Remember this CD put Kanye West on the map and his beats on this are better than the ones on College Dropout. Plus you have Just Blaze and Timbaland contributing with their best beats and Hova shines on them. H to the Izzo is the anthem and the whole ablum flows with it. Takeover is an incredible diss song and the Nas fan of me is killed when I play it (like wise with the Jay-Z fan with Ether.) No tracks are skipped, all and all its a classic and a must have for a hip-hop fan. Track for track The Ruler's Back - 8.5/10 Takeover - 10/10 Izzo (H.O.V.A.) - 10/10 Girls, Girls, Girls, - 10/10 Jigga That N***a - 8/10 U Don't Know - 10/10 Hola' Hovito - 8.5/10 Heart of the City - 9/10 Never Change - 9/10 Song Cry - 8/10 All I Need - 7/10 Renegade - 10/10 - Em's verse is fire Blueprint - 8/10 Lyrical Exercise - 8/10 Girls, Girls, Girls, Pt. 2 - 9/10

Maybe

Illmatic all day. Jay is full of himself. Jay is good, but Nas is great.

Jay's Second Masterpiece, Since Resonable Doubt

This Is Jay-Z Back From The Resonable Doubt Days, Maybe A Little Bit Improved P.S. iTunes Needs To Get Resonable Doubt On Here!!!!!!!

Biography

Born: December 04, 1969 in Brooklyn, NY

Genre: Hip Hop/Rap

Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

Embodying the rags-to-riches rap dream, Jay-Z pulled himself up by his bootstraps as a youth to eventually become the reigning rapper of New York City and, in turn, a major-label executive following his short-lived retirement from music-making. In the wake of his 1996 debut, Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z's albums sold millions upon millions with each release, and his endless parade of hits made him omnipresent on urban radio and video television. He retained a strongly devoted fan base and challenged whatever...
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