After Hours - Jay McShann

Advantages: jay-z is back
Disadvantages: a few weak songs

...So jay-z is back after a retirement that lasted for about 12 months but he is a rap legend so it's good to see him back. If this album came from any other artist it would be seen as a great album but because its jay we expect only the best and Evan though it is a good album it is not that classic stuff that we used to from jay there are some great tracks such as "do u wanna ride" "lost one" "show me what you got and "dig a hole" but a couple "the new 20" and "anything are just not up to scratch Evan though this isn't jays strongest work he makes a good album I would recommend but could his crown of king of new York be slipping I think it has and nas has taken over although the real king the notorious b.i.g. Is sadly deceased Cop the album you will love it if you love jay... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Lyrically Fantastic,
Disadvantages: Music Is A Letdown By Jay-z Standards

...Well when i heard jay-z was making a new album like any other jay-z fan i was over the moon because i absolutely think the guy is a legend at what he does. When i bought the CD and played it back i thought to myself this is lyrically i fantastic album and jay-z back to his best but on the other hand when i listened to it again i was thinking to myself this album was been hyped up two much. I can back this up because as i said lyrically the album is great but what i feel let the album down is the constant poor music to accompany the lyrics. I know jay-z is know for his older style music but when i listen to this i don't think you should have a album titled American Gangster and use childish music to go with the lyrics that he has produced. My experience of the CD is average i would recommend to buy it if you are a jay-z fan but not what i... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: So many hit songs! plus hidden bonus tracks
Disadvantages: nope!

...In my own personal opinion,The Blueprint is the best crossover album of all time even more than BIG's Life After Death! I say this because Jay has made himself appeal to the masses by successfully combining commercial hit records with street anthems. The Blueprint starts off with The Rulers Back and Jay raps that hes back to run the show with triumphant trumpets bellowing in the background. Next up is The Takeover which in my opinion is the best diss track of all time he slates Nas and Mobb Deep from start to finish with heavy samples from The Doors and has a great Rock beat. He rips Mobb Deep's Prodigy to shreds with: "When I was pushing weight back in 88, You was a ballerina I got the pictures I seen ya! then you dropped shook ones and switched your demeanor, well,we dont believe you you need more people!" He smashes Nas... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful