Jay-Z - The BlueprintWhy am I skipping from Reasonable Doubt to The Blueprint in the terms of Jay-Z discography? Simply because I have recently watched (watching as of the write up of the history behind the album) Jay-Z's "final" show at Madison Square Garden in the movie Fade to Black, and I downloaded some Just Blaze instrumentals, AND, well, I decided to listen to Jay's second bonafide classic.
The Blueprint was released on September 11th, 2001, a date better known as 9/11. Being only 9 at the time and not having much interest in hip-hop (let alone music) and not understanding what exactly the attacks meant and how significant they were, I was more disappointed with sports being postponed for two weeks or so. However, even with what happened on that day, Jay-Z still managed to move enough units to debut at the top of the Billboard 200.
But you should know this. So let's begin...
1. The Ruler's Back
Produced by Bink
Jay-Z decides to say "fuck the intro!" and, instead, channels Slick Rick here by referring to himself as The Ruler. MC Ricky D already did that, Shawn.
2. Takeover
Produced by Kanye West
You've heard this song. Don't play that. You know he disses Prodigy and Nas. You know that if it weren't for Ether, we'd probably classify this song as "the diss that crushed Nas's career." You know this... maaaaaan.
3. Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
Produced by Kanye West
The first and biggest single released from The Blueprint. And for a radio ready track, this is pretty damn good.
4. Girls, Girls, Girls
Produced by Just Blaze
Q-Tip, Biz Markie, and Slick Rick all share hook duties... what a waste of talent. At least it could've made a potential consumer do a double take when he looked at the tracklist. In the song, Jay describes all the women he's currently dating, listing their qualities. A really cheesy idea, but it sounds pretty good.
5. Jigga That N---a
Produced by Trackmasters
Well... doesn't this suck.
6. U Don't Know
Produced by Just Blaze
One of the best Jay/Blaze collaborations. This song received a remix featuring M.O.P., which you can find on The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse, which is pretty good and one of the better tracks on a lackluster album.
7. Hola' Hovita
Produced by Timbaland
Timbo drops by for his only contribution, which sounds pretty good production-wise, but then Jay ruins it with lackluster rhymes. This could've been good, damnit!
8. Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)
Produced by Kanye West
And here's the best Kanye produced track on the album. Really soulful. One of the best tracks on here. Plus, it was in the American Gangster trailer. So... you know... that gives it some points (if only because American Gangster is an awesome movie).
9. Never Change
Produced by Kanye West
Good track... though, that's really all that I can think of to describe this.
10. Song Cry
Produced by Just Blaze
This track is just fucking awesome. Not your typical Blaze production, but it still sounds good. Plus, Jay's lyrics sound sincere. Overall, second best song on here.
11. All I Need
Produced by Bink
I'm gonna channel some Max from Hip Hop Isn't Dead here and just say meh.
12. Renegade (feat. Eminem)
Produced by Eminem
Produced by Bink
And Jay lets us roll out with a downbeat song. Pretty good, but in the term of downbeat outro songs, "Regrets" and "Where Have You Been" own this. Not complaining, though.
These are considered bonus tracks, hidden within the realms of "Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)"...
Breathe Easy (Lyrical Excercise)
Produced by Just Blaze
Hov swipes Cormega's "Dead Man Walking" and just rips it to shreds.
Girls, Girls, Girls (Part 2)
Produced by Kanye West
Kanye West drops by and provides his remix to an already good song. It's not really necessary, but meh, it's decent.
Conclusion: I'd say you should pick this up. Odds are, you already have it. In which case, I say you should listen to it again.
Also by Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt (June 25, 1996)
Coming up next is Jay-Z's The Black Album.
The Blueprint was released on September 11th, 2001, a date better known as 9/11. Being only 9 at the time and not having much interest in hip-hop (let alone music) and not understanding what exactly the attacks meant and how significant they were, I was more disappointed with sports being postponed for two weeks or so. However, even with what happened on that day, Jay-Z still managed to move enough units to debut at the top of the Billboard 200.
Rumor has it, the Blueprint classic/couldn't even be stopped by Bin LadenIn promotion for the album, Jay released one single before the release (Izzo (H.O.V.A.)). The single charted at 8 on the Billboard 100. Following the release, "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Jigga That N---a" were released as singles, charting at 17 and 66, respectively. Overall, the album was a commercial and critical success, remarkable since the date it was released on.
- Jay-Z on "The Bounce" from The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
But you should know this. So let's begin...
1. The Ruler's Back
Produced by Bink
Jay-Z decides to say "fuck the intro!" and, instead, channels Slick Rick here by referring to himself as The Ruler. MC Ricky D already did that, Shawn.
2. Takeover
Produced by Kanye West
You've heard this song. Don't play that. You know he disses Prodigy and Nas. You know that if it weren't for Ether, we'd probably classify this song as "the diss that crushed Nas's career." You know this... maaaaaan.
3. Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
Produced by Kanye West
The first and biggest single released from The Blueprint. And for a radio ready track, this is pretty damn good.
4. Girls, Girls, Girls
Produced by Just Blaze
Q-Tip, Biz Markie, and Slick Rick all share hook duties... what a waste of talent. At least it could've made a potential consumer do a double take when he looked at the tracklist. In the song, Jay describes all the women he's currently dating, listing their qualities. A really cheesy idea, but it sounds pretty good.
5. Jigga That N---a
Produced by Trackmasters
Well... doesn't this suck.
6. U Don't Know
Produced by Just Blaze
One of the best Jay/Blaze collaborations. This song received a remix featuring M.O.P., which you can find on The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse, which is pretty good and one of the better tracks on a lackluster album.
7. Hola' Hovita
Produced by Timbaland
Timbo drops by for his only contribution, which sounds pretty good production-wise, but then Jay ruins it with lackluster rhymes. This could've been good, damnit!
8. Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)
Produced by Kanye West
And here's the best Kanye produced track on the album. Really soulful. One of the best tracks on here. Plus, it was in the American Gangster trailer. So... you know... that gives it some points (if only because American Gangster is an awesome movie).
9. Never Change
Produced by Kanye West
Good track... though, that's really all that I can think of to describe this.
10. Song Cry
Produced by Just Blaze
This track is just fucking awesome. Not your typical Blaze production, but it still sounds good. Plus, Jay's lyrics sound sincere. Overall, second best song on here.
11. All I Need
Produced by Bink
I'm gonna channel some Max from Hip Hop Isn't Dead here and just say meh.
12. Renegade (feat. Eminem)
Produced by Eminem
And Eminem murdered you on your own shit...13. Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)
- Nas on "Ether" from Stillmatic
Produced by Bink
And Jay lets us roll out with a downbeat song. Pretty good, but in the term of downbeat outro songs, "Regrets" and "Where Have You Been" own this. Not complaining, though.
These are considered bonus tracks, hidden within the realms of "Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)"...
Breathe Easy (Lyrical Excercise)
Produced by Just Blaze
Hov swipes Cormega's "Dead Man Walking" and just rips it to shreds.
Girls, Girls, Girls (Part 2)
Produced by Kanye West
Kanye West drops by and provides his remix to an already good song. It's not really necessary, but meh, it's decent.
Conclusion: I'd say you should pick this up. Odds are, you already have it. In which case, I say you should listen to it again.
Also by Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt (June 25, 1996)
Coming up next is Jay-Z's The Black Album.
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