Jay-Z ‎– The Blueprint 2LP

Jay-Z ‎– The Blueprint

The Blueprint may be Jay Z’s most captivating record since Reasonable Doubt, but its predictably detached mood reflects the master hustler’s superior ability to trick out lackluster subject matter with lyrical complexity and brief flashes of manufactured introspection. The Blueprint, a solid mix of preprogrammed radio hits (“Izzo,” “Girls, Girls, Girls”) and better-than-average mid-tempo compositions (“Never Change,” “Song Cry”), confirms the Brooklyn rapper’s legendary status. Blistering flames of the Queensbridge/Jay Z feud fan high with “Takeover,” a direct attack on Nas, set over the Doors’ rock & roll burner, “5 to 1.” “Renegade” provides the album’s only full-on guest appearance. Jay and Eminem take this opportunity to address haters (within the industry and in the general population) who don’t understand the mind of an artist. Jigga spells it out on the title track: “Reasonable Doubt–classic, shoulda went triple.” The Blueprint might not be quite on par with Reasonable Doubt but it is reasonably good. –Rebecca Levine

Tracklist:
A1    The Ruler's Back    
A2    Takeover    
A3    Izzo (H.O.V.A.)    
A4    Girls, Girls, Girls    

B1    Jigga That Nigga    
B2    U Don't Know    
B3    Hola' Hovito    
B4    Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love)    

C1    Never Change    
C2    Song Cry    
C3    All I Need    
C4    Renegade    

D1    Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)    
D2    Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise)    
D3    Girls, Girls, Girls (Part 2)

Label: Def Jam
Released: 2001/2018