Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3 (Album Review)

Longevity in Hip Hop is rare, especially in a time when youthful “Swagger” outweighs lyricism. Since the release date of Reasonable Doubt Shawn Corey Carter has been considered one of the best doing it. Year after year he would prove this point with the exception of Kingdom Come, which did have it’s moments (the way Just Blaze chopped that Rick James sample for the title track was sick) but wasn’t well received by the masses. Two years after the release of American Gangster Jay-Z is up to his old tricks, well sort of.

“I don’t be in the project hallway/ Talkin’ bout how I be in the project all day” that line one sums up the entire album. Accused of being shallow due to the abundance of crack tales and money talk The BP3 appears to be Jay’s attempt at ushering in the future of rap music. Laying out the blueprint if you will. Unfortunately for us if this is what the future looks like, the future looks bleak. More of the same old shyt which isn’t a bad thing for some, but when you’ve come to expect so much it’s disappointing to get the same old thing, Jay-Z talking about Jay-Z.

When rappers attempt to move Hip Hop music into the “Future” it usually includes rhyming over rock records, adding more synthesizers or connecting for an unusual collaboration that usually includes the before mentioned synthesizers and rock guitars. Think Seal and Lil’ Wayne, not really but you get the picture. The attempts on BP3 produced the underwhelming Timbaland productions Venus vs. Mars and the Drake assisted Off That, which I’m still trying figure out where they fit with the rest of the album. Where Jay is at his best is on Empire State of Mind which features Alicia Keys and the Encore reminiscent A Star is Born on which Jay-Z introduces his latest Protoge’ and ROC nation family member J. Cole. The first two cuts on the album What We Talkin’ About and Thank You are the closest you’re going to get to D.O.A..

While not groundbreaking The BP3 is a good album. It sounds unfocused at times but an unfocused Jay-Z is 100 times better than half of these cats when they are focused. You will find some Jewels but don’t be surprised if it takes two or three listens before decide on what those jewels are. Tracks 1-3 are vintage Jay and the Swizz Beats production “On To the Next One” is that braggadocios Jay-Z guilty pleasure we’ve come love from him. The Blueprint 3 isn’t going to change a rap scene stuck in a period of age discrimination and regional dominance but it will provide you with some desperately needed diversity and Jay-Z’s clever lyricism. Hola’ Hovito, mid-life crisis averted.

[Via Fresh Theory]