The Blueprint is Jay-Z's (real name Shawn Carter) sixth studio album released on September 11th, 2001. The album sold 426,000 in its first week despite the tragedy on its release date, it was Jay's 4th consecutive album to go straight to the top of the album charts in America, and has since ... Read review
The Blueprint may be Jay Z's most captivating record since Reasonable Doubt, but its ... more
predictably detached mood reflects the master hustler's superior ability to trick out lacklustre subject matter with lyrical complexity and brief flashes of manufactur...
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Advantages: Jay-Z at his best, fantastic prodcution throughout Disadvantages: None for me, suppose some people may be offended by the language used at times
The Blueprint is Jay-Z's (real name Shawn Carter) sixth studio album released on September 11th, 2001. The album sold 426,000 in its first week despite the tragedy on its release date, it was Jay's 4th consecutive album to go straight to the top of the album charts in America, and has since gone platinum.
Many people view this album as Jay's best work but few realise this album was produced in the studio within 2 weeks, while it only ... ...and very soulful samples, the Blueprint would mark a shift in Jay's style to a much more melodic and thought out production, something he would return to time and time again over his career. This album earned him the rare 5 mic award from the source and XXL magazines, came 5th in Rolling Stones Albums of 2001, and 4th in NME's albums of 2001.
The Blueprint is Jay-Z's (real name Shawn Carter) sixth studio album released on September 11th, 2001. The album sold 426,000 in its first week despite the tragedy on its release date, it was Jay's 4th consecutive album to go straight to the top of the album charts in America, and has since gone platinum.
Many people view this album as Jay's best work but few realise this album was produced in the studio within 2 weeks, while it only took Jay-Z a reported 2 days to write all the lyrics, helped by the fact the man has a photographic memory and doesn't need to write lyrics down, so there was bounded to be some he already had in there.
An album full of perfectly picked and very soulful samples, the Blueprint would mark a shift in Jay's style to a much more melodic and thought out production, something he would return to time and time again over his career. This album earned him the rare 5 mic award from the source and XXL magazines, came 5th in Rolling Stones Albums of 2001, and 4th in NME's albums of 2001.
The Album
(Sample information taken from wikipedia)
Track 1 - The Ruler's Back
A laid back track to start the album with. Jay-Z sounds ultra relaxed on this track, rapping effortlessly but still with rhythm and style. Good track.
Samples
'If' by Jackie Moore 'The Ruler's Back' by Slick Rick
8/10
Track 2 - Takeover
An mix of two of my favourite artists of all time - Jay-Z and Jim Morrison/The Doors., as the beats are mainly taken from '5 to 1' by the Doors. Kanye West produced this one (way before he was a platinum selling artist in his own right), I've always liked Kanye's production, he takes chances with his beats and I applaud him for that. The track is mainly a diss song taking shots at Nas, Prodigy of Mobb Deep among others. The lyrics are excellent in this one, it makes me wonder why someone like Prodigy would try and beef with someone so talented.
Samples
'Five to One' by The Doors 'Sound of da Police' by KRS-One 'Fame' by David Bowie (interpolation) 'Oochie Wally' by Bravehearts
Choice lines
I don't care if you Mobb Deep, I hold triggers to crews You little f*ck, I've got money stacks bigger than you
Youse the fag model for Karl Kani/Esco ads Went from, Nasty Nas to Esco's trash Had a spark when you started but now you're just garbage Fell from top ten to not mentioned at all to your bodyguard's "Oochie Wally" verse better than yours Matter fact you had the worst flow on the whole f*ckin song but I know - the sun don't shine, then son don't shine
You said you been in this ten I've been in it five - smarten up Nas Four albums in ten years nigga? I can divide That's one every let's say two, two of them sh*ts was due One was - NAHHH, the other was "Illmatic" That's a one hot album every ten year average And that's so - LAAAAAAAME! Nigga switch up your flow Your sh*t is garbage, but you try and kick knowledge?
10/10
Track 3 - Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
One of the more well known tracks on here, one he performed brilliantly at Glastonbury, and the next one to be produced by Kanye. This track was made to be the first single from the album and you can tell, it's bouncy, has an easy to remember and sing chorus, and is quite mainstream friendly in many respects. I do like this one.
Sample
'I Want You Back' by Jackson 5
8/10
Track 4 - Girls, Girls, Girls additional vocals from Q-Tip, Slick Rick and Biz Markie
A slow, laid back song about how much Jay loves girls (surprise, surprise) with great production from Just Blaze. This was the second single and has many of the same qualities as the last track. The raps are basically about the different girls Jay has all over the world.
Samples
'There's Nothing in This World That Can Stop Me from Loving You' by Tom Brock 'High Power Rap' by Disco Dave & The Force of The Five MC's
8/10
Track 5 - Jigga That Nigga
This track was the 3rd single which surprised me as its not the best track on here by a long way, but I guess like the other singles its got a catchy chorus, is bouncy, and is radio friendly (sort of), but I'm not keen. Production in this one is from Poke and Tone.
6/10
Track 6 - U Don't Know
An ok track produced by Just Blaze. The lyrics are decent and there's a really nice beat, love the distorted voices. Jay's raps are excellent in this one.
Samples
'I'm Not To Blame' by Bobby Byrd
7/10
Track 7 - Hola' Hovito additional vocals and production by Timbaland
A fantastic beat, this is one of my favourite tracks on the album, and one of my favourites to have on in the car. A great mix of different sounds in this one (a mark of Timbaland's production), while Jay raps with his unmistakable flow and grace. Love the chorus, love the verses, love this song.
Choice lines
Catch Hov' in the drop, nasty thang lane switchin Once you turn your neck for a sec your dame's missin Bujando, bujando, the cops is comin Got that rap patrol behind yo, get to runnin I'm unstoppable Hov', untoppable flows I'm the compadre, the Sinatra of my day Ol' Blue Eyes my nigga, I did it my way If y'all not rollin with Hov' then hit the highway
10/0
Track 8 - Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)
People may remember this track from the advert for the brilliant movie 'American Gangster', or Jay rapping this over U2's 'Bloody Sunday' track at Glastonbury. Another great song with Jay rapping about how times are changing but people are still jealous of him and how people around him are falling from the public eye but he's not. Nice laid back track in a contrast to what Jay's saying, it's no surprise Kanye West produced this one.
Samples
'Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City' by Bobby Blue Bland
Choice lines
Look scrapper I got nephews to look after I'm not looking at you dudes, I'm looking past you I thought I told you characters I'm not a rapper Can I live? I told you in ninety-six that I came to take this sh*t and I did, handle my biz I scramble like Randall with his Cunningham but the only thing running is numbers fam Jigga held you down six summers; damn, where's the love?
10/10
Track 9 - Never Change additional vocals from Kanye West
Laid back track produced by Kanye, basically about whatever happens Jay-Z won't change (yeah right lol). It's a nice track to listen to, very easy on the ears but there's better on here.
Sample
'Common Man' by David Ruffin
7/10
Track 10 - Song Cry
About the closest to a love song you'll ever get in rap music, this track was produced by Just Blaze. Jay's rapping about a relationship he's in. Decent track with top music.
Sample
'Sounds Like a Love Song' by Bobby Glenn
7/10
Track 11 - All I Need
The worst track on here by far, I really can't stand this one, the beats are average at best and badly paced, while even Jay's raps cant save this one.
Samples
'I Can't Break Away' by Natalie Cole
4/10
Track 12 - Renegade featuring and produced by Eminem
I'll start of by saying I'm not the biggest Eminem fan in the world, he does make good music but it's pretty much pop-rap these days, give me the Infinite album or the Slim Shady LP and EP any day over his later stuff.
Jay-Z and Eminem are two of the true rap greats when it comes to sales and popularity, possibly both being in the top 5 ever, while both have fantastic skills for both making songs and freestyling so a track with them both on was always going to be interesting. Jay starts the song of with a great rap but once Eminem takes the mic he completely out does Jay from start to finish which is no easy achievement, Nas even mentioned it on his tracks 'Stillmactic' and 'Ether'. Like I said I'm not a massive Eminem fan but he's truly brilliant o this track, plus his production is fantastic.
Choice lines (all Eminem)
See I'm a poet to some, a regular modern day Shakespeare Jesus Christ the King of these Latter Day Saints here To shatter the picture in which of that as they paint me as a monger of hate and Satan a scatter-brained atheist But that ain't the case, see it's a matter of taste We as a people decide if Shady's as bad as they say he is Or is he the latter - a gateway to escape? Media scapegoat, who they can be mad at today See it's easy as cake, simple as whistlin Dixie while I'm wavin the pistol at sixty Christians against me Go to war with the Mormons, take a bath with the Catholics in holy water - no wonder they try to hold me under longer I'm a motherf*ckin spiteful, DELIGHTFUL eyeful The new Ice Cube - motherf*ckers HATE to like you What did I do? (huh?) I'm just a kid from the gutter makin this butter off these bloodsuckers, cause I'm a muh'f*ckin Renagade!
10/10
Track 13 - Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)
This track samples heavily from the great Al Green's 'Free at Last' track, and I love it. Easily the best of the laid back songs on here, this is really one to put on and kick back and relax to.
Sample
Free at Last" by Al Green
9/10
The track has a small break of silence then goes into a great freesyling session, with a Just Blaze produced beat that has been used by rappers countless times on mix tapes, I personnaly have at least 10 different tracks with people rapping over this beat.
Sample
Got to Find My Own Place" by Stanley Clarke
8/10
The same track then flows into a remix of 'Girls, girls, Girls', this time with new production by Kanye, the music is totally different to the original, its not bad but not so good either.
Sample
Trying Girls Out" by The Persuaders
6/10
Overall a 9/10 from me, one of Jay-Z's best albums, with only maybe Reasonable Doubt being better. I would recommend this for nearly everyone unless rap music offends you.
Advantages: Great songs, Great artist Disadvantages: none that I know of
...From reasonable doubt to the blueprint he hasn't lost his flair. Jay-Z started out rapping back in 1996 on his own record label roca-fella-records. He was also good friends with rapper biggie smalls and attended the same school in brooklyn as busta rhymes.
I decided to get this album simply because I have all his other releases and wanted to carry on the collection. Nothing has been able to touch his first album until this was released. As soon ... ...I knew I had to have it.
Here is the track listing for the blueprint
1. The Rulers Back
2. Takeover*
3. Izzo (Hova)*
4. Girls, Girls, Girls*
5. Jigga That N***a
6. U Don't Know
7. Hola' Hovito*
8. Heart Of The City*
9. Never Change*
10. Song Cry
11. All I need
12. Renegade*
13. Blueprint
Extra Track - Girls, Girls, Girls (Remix)
All the songs I have marked with a star are my favourite tracks on the album. I will give a description ...
Sheringham_19 16.04.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Blueprint Vol.1, The [PA] - Jay-Z
Advantages: wicked production from eminem and kayne west, kicked of the beef with nas Disadvantages: none soild album few week tracks
The Blueprint is one of Jay Z best works as all of his album has been rated good by critics. But this album seems to edge above the rest. Reasonable doubt being his best album it seems to touch it in quality. This album has the right mix of club hits and solid hip-hop for the true fans but it includes the low tempo R&B songs as well. This album will be famous for starting one of the most famous battles in hip-hop was Jay Z took on Nas with his diss ... ...10/10
13. Blueprint (Momma Loves Me) 9 /10 – very good song tell jay z life story a bit. Followed by the two bonus tracks ***Plus Two Bonus With Producers like Timberland, Kayne west, Just Blaze, Eminem and bink. This album was destined to be a success. This album shows a more personal side to the jigga man. As Jay Z kept it to 4-5 producers it shows a more quality album and with hardly any appearances it shows as a more solo album and makes it ...
lilro 18.08.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Blueprint Vol.1, The [PA] - Jay-Z
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 ... ...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's credibility by personally and comically running through his poor lyrics of late, poor record sales and totally ...
a1townsend2002 26.08.2005 (29.08.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Blueprint Vol.1, The [PA] - Jay-Z
Advantages: Classy, Excellent use of sampling, Effortless Disadvantages: Not long enough!
...at his very best, 'The Blueprint 'exhibits all the essential of a modern hip hop album. Combines raw beats with funky riffs and soulful voices to create an atmosphere of a smoky blues club meets the MC battle stage. Whilst popular releases such as 'Izzo' and 'Girls, Girls, Girls' bring Jay Zs ever-strong talent respectfully into the mainstream, 'Song Cry' is pure genius, showing the multi-faceted side his writing skills. 'Hola Hovita' introduces ... ...To sum up, sublime would be the essential word. Jay Z himself claims this to be one of his favourite albums, and rightly so. If (and it will) The Blueprint leaves you gasping for more, check out the MTV Unplugged album - a live and acoustic beauty of this masterpiece. ...
Jesst2401 29.06.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Blueprint Vol.1, The [PA] - Jay-Z
This album is truly remarkable, no one could ever think that Jay-Z could top his multi-platinum selling first album, however i think he has achieved it with this. The singles he has released of this album include Izzo ( Hova ), Girls Girls Girls, Song Cry. It also includes the very famous comeback to Nas's song off his massively acclaimed album "Illmatic", 'The Takeover'. The lyrics in this song are absolutely brilliant, and im sure you all know ... ...on this CD is Renegade, this features Eminem, and is the first duo with, in my opinion the best rappers to ever live. The four long verses are great, and will have you smiling at some of the lyrics these two geniuses come out with. This really is as every bit as good as the Dynasty, if not better. This is deffently worth the buy, you can pick this CD up for no more then £10 which is a true bargain. I would recommend this item to anyone even considering ...
friddela 20.02.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Blueprint Vol.1, The [PA] - Jay-Z
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
Value for Money
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Advantages: Missing You - Aaliyah tribute fantastic song Disadvantages: seems like a rip off changing a couple of tracks
As I said when I reviewed the original BP2 it is not one of Jiggers better albums and this updated version did nothing to change my opinion except with the tribute to Aaliyah who tragically died in a plane crash and was also engaged to Jay's business partner Dame Dash. The track sampled Aaliyah's track Miss You and is the pefect melody behind Jay's excellent lyrics and flow on the song, he is for once not boasting about his wealth but shows he is more than capable of empathy and reflection. I think Jay will change a lot of peoples opinions with this song and it is great but I still feel the album was quite badly put together.
His early offerings such as Reasonable Doubt and Vol1 were lyrical journeys that gave the listener value for money and an insight into hip hop along with good lyrics. I found this a very frustrating album in ...
Product Information for "Blueprint Vol.1, The [PA] - Jay-Z" »
Product details
Title
Blueprint Vol.1, The [PA]
Performer
Jay-Z
Genre
R&B
Sub Genre
East Coast Rap
Release Date
17/09/2001
Recomended Retail Price
13.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2001
Label / Distributor
Roc-A-Fella / Universal Music
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
731458639626
Catalogue Number
5863962
Additional notes
Album Notes
Personnel includes: Jay-Z, Eminem, Q-Tip, Slick Rick, Biz Markie (rap vocals); Josey Scott (vocals); Victor Flowers (organ); Bink (programming). Producers include: Kayne West, Just Blaze, Trackmaster, Timbaland, Bink. THE BLUEPRINT was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Song Cry" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Male Rap Solo Performance. It's official. With his fifth album, aptly titled THE BLUEPRINT, Jay-Z has crowned himself the king of rap music. Laying a foundation for other MC's to follow, Jay Hova presents a lyrical masterpiece. And to make matters worse (for the competition, that is), he does so over a selection of the tightest beats (Jus Blaze, Timbaland) to come by hip-hop since fellow Brooklyn-ite Notorious B.I.G. changed the game. Jay-Z sets it off with a clear and concise statement of his purpose, "The Ruler's Back." From then on, each track dares rappers who tried to test his skills to answer back this time. There's also the cleverly worded (sort of a) love song "Girls, Girls, Girls," where Jay calls out every type of woman in the book. He limits the guest appearances to just one when he collaborates with Eminem for "Renegade." As always, classic material proves why Jay-Z retains his iconic status in the hip-hop world.
Album Reviews
Q (12/02, p.67) - Included in Q Magazine's "The 50 Best Albums of 2002." Vibe (1/02, p.74) - Rated as Vibe's "Best Album" of the year, 2001. Rolling Stone (1/03/02, p.119) - Ranked #5 in Rolling Stone's "Top 10 2001". Spin (1/02, p.76) - Ranked #7 in Spin's "Albums of the Year 2001" - "...Dig the planet's most charismatic egoist flowing like Cristal....Punk record of the year? Fo'sheazy!" The Wire (1/02, p.40) - Ranked #12 in Wire's "50 Records of the Year 2001". NME (12/29/01, p.59) - Ranked #4 in NME's 50 "Albums Of the Year 2001". Vibe (11/01, pp.145-6) - 5 discs out of 5 - "...Like a bookend [to his forst album 1996's REASONABLE DOUBT], or the second key on a double-bolt lock. Only better...he is our cleanest poet, rethinking space..." Q (11/01, p.122-3) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...Drenched in slinky, '70s soul samples this time round, the hooks, and inevitably the hits, just keep on coming." Entertainment Weekly (9/28/01, p.72) - "...Jay spits his outlaw boasts and pimp-slap toasts with the same cooly obstreperous flow that's always gilded his thug-life cliches..." - Rating: B- NME (10/6/01, p.41) - 8 out of 10 - "...Eloquently maps out life's foundations: laughter, tears, joy and pain, and marks the Jigga as the complete rapper..." Uncut (12/01, p.108) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...The sonics here are relentlessly ear-catching. Almost every tune sounds like a hit..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Ruler's Back
2.
Takeover
3.
IZZO (HOVA)
4.
Girls Girls Girls
5.
Jigga That Nigga
6.
U Don't Know
7.
Hola' Hovita
8.
Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love)
9.
Never Change
10.
Song Cry
11.
All I Need
12.
Renegade - Jay-Z & Eminem
13.
Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)
14.
Lyrical Exercise (bonus track)
15.
Trying Girls Out (hidden track)
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