The Blue Print

Description

This new album by Jay-Z drops into our bins without too much surprise, once again showcasing the rapper's virtuosity, the producer's relevance, and the power of lyricist Shawn Carter. Reiterating his recipe from the Hard Life trend of East Coast rap, with a solid mix of radio-friendly tracks like the already classic "Girls, Girls, Girls," as well as some slightly unconventional themes, such as "Takeover," a brutal manifesto with a gritty, stretched sound (which also serves as a direct attack on Nas), Blueprint stands in line with the best productions of the artist. One naturally thinks of Reasonable Doubt, released in 1996 from the halls of Priority Records, but one also recalls some tracks lost on certain New York mixtapes that showcased the man's narrative abilities, his astonishing ease in recounting phases of his life with a constant, tense flow always under pressure. Supported in this task by the equally high-caliber flows of some local talents (notably Q-Tip (ATCQ), Eminem, Biz Markie, and Slick Rick), the rapper once again rises above the fray to give this album a classic feel. With dark beats echoing the vibrations of the street and more refined compositions bolstered by strings, all enhanced by Jay-Z's impactful, incisive, and powerful flow, Blueprint is a meticulously produced album that ranks among the gems of East Coast hip-hop in recent years.