December 6th, 2009

Release Date: September 8, 2009

Genre(s): Hip-Hop

Runtime: 60 minutes, 43 seconds

Record Label: Roc Nation, Atlantic

Myspace Page: Click Here

As time presses on, so does evolvement. In this case being hip-hop music, we have seen many changes in the music over the years -- some good, some bad. For the most part, the term "relevant" seems to be a favorite word amongst the elite. As for Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, now nearing the age of 40 (no shots intended) is still standing strong, is still here, and is still very much relevant.

From '96’s classic “Reasonable Doubt” all the way to the '09 release of “Blueprint 3,” HOV is still staying consistent with making just overall great music oozing with substance, clever structure, and his always signature witty wordplay, delivery, and overall lyrical prowess.

For the man we thought was officially retiring from rap after his “Black Album,” he's still managing to keep things fresh, though some could easily question, is Jay running out of things to talk about?

Now mind you, I am a HUGE Jay-Z fan, but I do indeed notice the change in Jay’s content over the years, in which is very understandable. But if you can go basically your comeback album (hence “Kingdom Come”) and now the “Blueprint 3” talking about how grown up you are, how much money you posses, etc… It could easily leave a few very distraught in a sense. I must say even though Jay has managed to do that with this album, it’s his signature demeanor that makes up for everything.

The album opener “What We Talkin About” conveys that signature Jay aura with very cunning delivery and definitely an ear opener as far as Jay calling out a few people. Up next we have “Thank You,” which goes back to what I was saying about Hov staying in that box of gloating.

None the less, the song is still strong and solid, especially the production with that space groove galactic soul feel to it (think Kanye’s “Graduation” which I feel this album has a much similar sound but a tad more evolved. Not to forget Kanye and No I.D. are the at the helm of the majority of the production alongside with Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, The Neptunes, and more…). With loud claps, synth loops, and some stellar pitched horns that give that distinctive Chicago jazz appeal which I adore absolutely (hence Kanye and No I.D. being Chicago natives).

Sticking with that Chicago based beautiful music, track 3 is the first single “D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune)," which I personally feel is a much-needed track and anthem to music heads and hip-hop connoisseurs world-wide. No I.D. flipped the sample on this song in absolute justice. Jay received a lot of backlash for this track but, come on, he’s Jay! Track 4 is the smash “Run This Town” with Kanye and Rihanna. No shots intended, but I think Jay could’ve got a better vocalist for this track, but that’s just me. As well as I feel Kanye had a better verse then both of jay’s. On the production scale, it’s definitely a different Kanye (I don’t care what anybody says, 'Ye has so much versatility).

Then we come to which has now become the New York street anthem “Empire State Of Mind”. Myself being a Los Angeles native though, I dig this track very much as Alicia Keys' vocals soar on this song. “Real As It Gets” with Young Jeezy is one of those tracks that come on and you feel in awe of it’s sound and concept. Boasting that stadium status feel with Jeezy’s hook sounding harmonized in the sense of the mix, definitely a strong track for sure. Then the album kicks up further with more concept heavy tracks such “Onto The Next One” with Swizz Beatz, “Off That” with Canada’s wonder boy Drake, “A Star Is Born” with the new Carolina phenom J.Cole (who I honestly feel is about to give the rap game a much needed face lift), “Venus vs. Mars,” “Already Home” with Kid Cudi, “Hate” with Kanye, and another Timbaland produced track “Reminder”. All of these tracks fit the more upbeat, more heavy tempo driven portion of the album. Some of it fits, a select don't.

Now to my personal favorite song on the entire album with Pharrell is “So Ambitious”. Just the title alone left me awaiting what was in store. With that signature Neptunes marching band appeal through the creative abstract synths, this track should boast being a single and great anthem catered towards not only people in general but mainly the youth, giving the hope and praise that you can be whatever you want to be in this world. Coming to the close of the album is “Young Forever” with another one of Kanye's protégés Mr. Hudson. This track threw me off in the sense of it just didn't seem like the perfect ender to an already solid album. As well as what was being discussed on the track kind of contradicted what Jay was aiming for with the rest of the album, but who I am to complain?

Overall, I feel “Blueprint 3” is a solid album though even with stellar production, clever hooks, a few good concepts here and there, it still fell short in the sense that I think Jay could've been a tad more creative but that's just me. Besides albums in Hov's catalog such as “Reasonable Doubt,” “In My Lifetime Vol.1,” and “American Gangster,” which are pretty well structured albums, I would have to say “Blueprint 3” seemed a tad bit thrown together towards the end, but even with that said, the album is definitely worth picking up, and definitely something that all my fellow Hov fans will appreciate.