From antaiospiano12/27/2019 08:03

Jay-Z is that first-person shooter game that only has going for itself that it has slightly better graphics. Yes, his flow flows, but that's all. And then to hear his rapping go over snippets of The Doors' "Five to One" even borrowing the bass and percussion, I'm like what's the point? Like a lot of '00s rappers the beats are so random; just the minimum they need to get their flow going. Thankfully, Kanye brought some difference in that (but not as succesfully yet on every track of this album). But all that is no problem if the rapping is something exceptionally interesting to listen to, but to some of y'all rap can only be so enjoyable to listen to and your support for the game is just an act of political correctness. Lyrically though, he might be exceptionally interesting - although "Girls, Girls, Girls" makes me put huge question marks to that statement. He likes to have his cake and eat it; have his street cred and have a rich, book smart vocabulary. And rich his vocabulary is, and OG his history is, but unlike others I don't need my black heroes to conform to white standards of quality to call them genius, and I don't need my black heroes to conform to black standards of quality to feel justified to like them, respectively. They just have to make good music.

From junodog411/09/2019 02:47

There's a reason this is known as his best; it lacks the filler that plagues so many of his other albums.

Favorite Tracks:The Ruler's Back, Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)

From Brad177012/17/2017 03:11

It’s JZ and one of his more highly rated albums. If you like his catalogue you’ll love this record

Another great album from the Jigga man. Better produced, in my opinion, than the other two albums I have listened to, as well as cooler bars.

I think this is even better than Reasonable Doubt due to the music and the wit

From souplipton06/16/2016 21:32

Jay Z brought together an all star cast of producers for his sixth album, The Blueprint. Mostly produced by Just Blaze, Kanye West, and Bink, it also featured tracks produced by Timbaland, Eminem, and Trackmasters. THe production is just about perfect, particularly Kanye and Bink, though Kanye definitely is the top producer here. Jay's lyrics are pretty on point on this album, making for what is probably his best work overall.

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The apotheosis of a bunch of tired hip hop tropes....which is super awesome don't me wrong...but still. It is what it is (Pitchfork lists indicate this is a masterpiece which it is not).

From KingNoCrown07/17/2015 21:32

Lyrically lazy at times, the production is absolutely great though. Also gave a little guy name Kanye West the break he needed. "Jigga That Nigga" is an unnecessary throwaway, but the rest of the album remains solid. Definitely a classic in my book.