|
|
BookPrices.net - The Blueprint
|
List Price: $13.98
Our Price: $9.19
Your Save: $ 4.79 ( 34% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Roc-a-Fella
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0731458639626
Format: Enhanced
Label: Roc-a-Fella
Manufacturer: Roc-a-Fella
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Roc-a-Fella
Release Date: 2001-09-11
Studio: Roc-a-Fella
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Hip-Hop Album That Will Appeal to the Hardcore and the Mainstream Alike
Comment: While I've always been a fan of Jay-Z, I did not originally intend to even pick this album up. When I was at the record store about six years ago I was actually looking to purchase 'Word of Mouf' by Ludacris. However, that was sold out, and the highly praised effort by Jay-Z, 'The Blueprint', seemed like the next best thing to purchase (hey, I had to leave with SOMETHING).
In the end, however, I was happy I gave this one a purchase over Luda's 2001 effort. While Jay-Z's past albums before this have been hit or miss, 'The Blueprint' is a consistently good release that has stood the test of time (and even sounds better today considering the trash that's heard on the modern mainstream hip-hop stations).
'Izzo (H.O.V.A')' and 'Girls, Girls, Girls' were the main two singles off 'the Blueprint', and they're actually below the quality of the rest of the album. Jay-Z's diss track towards Nas ('Takeover') is pure lyrical fury ("...that's one hot album every ten year average" says Jigga, him considering 'Illmatic' Nas' only good release up to this time period). 'Hola Hovito' features a fantastic instrumental, 'U Don't Know' is some of Jigga's best lyrical work here, and 'Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)' is by far the track on this album.
Eminem is the only guest artist found here, and he actually outshines Jigga on 'Renegade'. Jay-Z's verse actually sounds ho-hum when compared to Em's. Also, while the soulful songs such as 'Song Cry' and 'Never Change' contain great beats, something about them feels a bit manufactured and insinsure. They're great to listen to, and feature gorgeous beats, but the lyrical work on those could have been beefed up a little.
Regardless of its few flaws, 'The Blueprint' still stands tall as some of Jay-Z's best work. Although it's definitely not his best album, it is still a fantastic release that seems to sound better as time goes on. 'The Blueprint' has enough mass appeal to find a mainstream audience but is of high enough quality to make hardcore fans of the genre satisfied as well.
Standout tracks: 'Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)', 'Takeover', and 'Renegade (featuring Eminem)'.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not a Classic
Comment: If I was in a bad mood i might have given it 3 stars, but its really not that bad. Compared to ALOT of rap Jay-Z is very good, but held up against his previous this doesn't hold up to me. His lyrics aren't as tight, and really, many his themes and ideas have become recycled. But of course, why stop if you can continue making money? right?
One thing Jay-Z did with this album is hook a lot of new rap fans and brought them into the game. That is why it's considered a classic by so many. Me... not really. His style is too cocky and too pop for me. He still has his roots deeply in hustling and street life, but he comes across very arrogant and as an over achiever. I won't complain about Jay-Z making money, cuz his is a philanthropist, but i definitely question who a lot of his fans are. Too many D-riders, just because somebody is famous and MTV tells you they're hot. DON"T LISTEN TO THE MEDIA, make up you're mind on your own. Just because you listen to this music doesn't mean you have good taste in rap. Too many people just buy whatever is popular, and hardly take the time to truly listen to the lyrics deeply enough.
Overall, it is the production that makes the Blueprint good. The beats by Kanye, Just Blaze and Bink are excellent. Lyrically, Jay-Z has gotten weaker, and that's not why this album is so popular. A lot of this CD is so hyped up and over-rated. Still makes for good listening though ;]
Also***** it should be noted that even though Eminem's verse is much better than Jay's on Renegade, it was originally not a Jay-Z song. It was for Royce Da 59. Eminem had already written lyrics. And of course, Eminem is just a better lyricist than most rappers.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Ruler's Back
Comment: All Jay Z, no filler. That's exactly what you get when listen to the Blueprint. This is Jigga's best album, beaten out only by Reasonable Doubt. It has hits singles such as "Izzo", "Girls, Girls, Girls", and "Song Cry", as well other tracks such as "Takeover", the famous diss aimed at Nas, and "Renegade", with a guest appearance from Eminem. The Blueprint also has two of the best producers in all of hip hop here, Kanye West and Just Blaze. This album not only solidified Jay Z as the King of New York, but also put Kanye West on the map as one of the hottest producers around. In short, The Blueprint is an all time classic.
Customer Rating:
Summary: clarification on lyrics
Comment: In several of the songs, Hova says "Jewels" and it's often mistaken as "Jews." Big difference. H to the Izzo.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Yea..
Comment: If yall enjoyed this album as much as I did then you will most likely find the album No Mercy No fear by 50 Cent and Whoo Kid. It's off the chain.
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
