The Official Blueprint 3 Review-Jay Z
Let me start this review by saying that I am a Jay Z stan (ie uber fan like the kid from that old Eminem song). Despite his misogyny, materialism and machismo, I actually think he is one hell of a MC. I also think that despite what some critics say, he has grown tremendously over the years and is a much deeper rapper than he is given credit for.
With that being said, I have to say that I am not the biggest fan of Blueprint 3.
More after the jump.
First, the beat selection for the album is somewhat suspect. While I gotta give Jigga a lot of credit for expanding his musical pallet, I think that tracks like “Hate,” “D.O.A.” and “Run This Town” are too stiff for Jay’s brand of lyrical delivery. He might not want to “look backward,” but the reason why Blueprint and the Black Album were classics was because of the soulful backdrops provided by Kanye West and Just Blaze. Let’s be honest, while the Brooklyn bred wordsmith can pretty much smash any beat, his message is best amplified by spirit moving bangers. While “Young Forever” and “Empire State” show you that rap’s biggest evangelist can still catch the holy ghost, Blueprint 3 is marred by soulless production. (Note to Common and T.I., please stay away from the Neptunes for at least 3 records.)
The second reason why Blueprint 3 is lack luster is because of the sequencing. I know that the full length album is a dying art form, but you would think an old head like Jay Z would have the art and science of arranging a record’s tracks properly down pat. Unfortunately, Blueprint 3 is sequenced like a kindergartner’s finger painting, it never just comes together properly. I actually think I would like the record a lot more if he would have hid some of the less inspiring songs at the back of the album.
But despite its many flaws, I actually think Jay Z proves that he still has it as a MC. Not only is he still the king of the double entendre (note the funny line below where he disses former allies Dame Dash and Jaz O below) but he also isn’t afraid to tackle political issues.
“Grown Man, want to sit on my lap, but I don’t have a beard and Santa Clause ain’t black. I repeat you can’t sit on my lap, I don’t have a beard so get off my sack!
While he doesn’t go as deep as I would like him to (although I really like “Young Forever” featuring Mr Hudson, ironically, the last song on the album), he is still head and shoulders above most mainstream MCs.
So, if I were still writing for The Source I would prolly give the album 3 mics. It’s not completely wack, but it won’t be on my iPod very long. Next time out Jigga should link up with a real musician, sort of like Kanye did with John Brion a couple years back, so that he has a more cohesive soundtrack for his still poignant lyrical delivery.
I disagree I disagree Homeboy ( in my best sneaking in the movies from hollywood shuffle voice) might I remind you that you were a harsh critic of 808’s at first.
Empire State of Mind, A star is born, Real as it gets, are incredible songs not to mention D.O.A and Run this town are #1 singles before the album is even released. Hate, Already home, So Ambitious, and On to the next shows Jay stepping out of his comfort zone and delivering good if not great songs.
Venus and Mars I really am not feeling and the song that you praise Young Forever needs to grow on me… I give B3 4 1/2 mics, In this current state of auto tune no creativity hip hop era it is a breath of fresh air, let young evolve..
Fab, Maino, Slaughterhouse, and Jada have all dropped excellent albums this year proving that hip hop is not dead. Bp3 has taken it off of Life support..
good review, biko! i can’t wait to hear BP3. but here’s my thing: how can you love jay-z and hate on drake? stylistically and thematically, they’re pretty similar — except w/ the rags-to-riches status.
first, i think drake is faker. he is a privileged kid from Toronto. I would like him a lot more if he would stop trying to be so street.
second, jay z is way nicer with the word play. Drake is a punchline rapper, jigga has a lot more intricacy to his rhyme patterns.
third, I am old. I gotta go with the older MCs.;)
thanks for the comment Jamilah!! Wiretap ROCKS~!!
I have to disagree with the review.
There is ridiculous wordplay on this album, for which Jay-Z is known. I will say that I don’t like that there were so many guest appearances, but for the most part, I liked them. I didn’t like the Young Jeezy track. Mr. Hudson, I’m still not sold on. Empire State of Mind is an incredible song, and it will be on IPODs for years.
I agree that Drake is overrated, as his lyrics are completely built upon the punchline premise. I’ll take J. Cole over him all day. This dude is for real, as you probably know if you’ve listened to either of his mixtapes.
Hate, was not the best Jay/’Ye collaboration, that’s for sure. If it had been the ‘Ye from the College Dropout days, it would have been a classic collaboration.
Right now, Blueprint 3, Relapse, and Jada’s album are the three that will be remembered in 2009 (I’m predicting Relapse 2 will be as well).
I prefer the MCs that have lyrical talent (wordplay, metaphor, dexterity). I just wish there were more of them than there were of the dudes trying to make records to bump down the boulevard, grind to in the club, or sound like Dr. Seuss is the extent of their rhyming mental capacity.