Jay-Z "American Gangster"

[Mr Films]

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003644055

Sounds more like a soundtrack? But I dunno cuz it seems to be all Jay and all new material so I guess we could call it an album.

After Kingdom Yawn, I could go either way.

[BeticoCM]

american gangster is a new denzel washington movie thats coming out.

[Mr Films]

right.

that's why I said it might be a soundtrack.

However, I just read another article saying that there is an official compilation soundtrack coming out and that Jay-Z's album is not officially connected to the film. He just watched it and wrote songs after being inspired by it.

I'm sure someone will think to connect the two. But it actually appears to be Jay-Z's return.... uh, again.

[g-mile7]

JIGGA!!

[hpdrifter]

I guess I'm the only one that liked Kingdom Come.

The first five or so songs and the last three were good. The whole middle (except for 30 something) is crap and I'm glad someone had the good sense to group them all together so I can skip them in one fell swoop.

[Kid Presentable]

I was gonna eat humble pie too, and say that Kingdom Come had really grown on me, but I didn't want mickill and padster braying about it.
"Bray! Bray!" I can just hear it now. (n)

Fuck, I nearly started a thread about it the other day.

[Loppfessor]

right.

that's why I said it might be a soundtrack.

However, I just read another article saying that there is an official compilation soundtrack coming out and that Jay-Z's album is not officially connected to the film. He just watched it and wrote songs after being inspired by it.

I'm sure someone will think to connect the two. But it actually appears to be Jay-Z's return.... uh, again.

When did he ever leave? He's pretty much been garbage since he started fucking Beyonce anyway....

[hpdrifter]

Seriously, how could you concentrate on anything else if you were fucking Beyonce?

I have this gut feeling they're gonna bust up any day now and maybe we'll get a hungry angry album.

[DeeJayZap]

yeah, it's not an official soundtrack, he was just inspired by the flick. it's apparently out in Nov (that's pretty soon considering it was just announced the other day). A track leaked off it called Blue Magic (Prod. and Feat. Pharrell).

I'll upload now, hold up.

edit: here it is http://www.zshare.net/audio/3779602a00c8bf/

[Jitters]

Jay's voice sounds different somehow.

It's an interesting track even though it's nothing mind-blowing.

[Mr Films]

He's pretty much been garbage since he started fucking Beyonce anyway....

dude, The Black Album is great.

[Mr Films]

oh shit, this song is tight.

[g-mile7]

I guess I'm the only one that liked Kingdom Come.

The first five or so songs and the last three were good. The whole middle (except for 30 something) is crap and I'm glad someone had the good sense to group them all together so I can skip them in one fell swoop.

Agreed!


I still say the 5 strongest tracks off Blueprint II trump the 5 strongest off Black Album.


Its a hard track...I mean no "Kingdom Come" but its really gritty...almost simlar to his flow on Volume II

[g-mile7]

I mean this LP might be better given the fact he's got inspiration and material to draw from. I mean already we can agree the Pharrel contribution is BETTER then his drop on "Kingdom Come". Also they're might not be so many "pop" sounding material given the grittiness of the movie/story. Heres hoping we can get a good official sdtk with Common, TI and RZA all said to be in the movie.

[g-mile7]

Thursday, October 4th, 2007

Uncontrollable Hustler’s Ambition

I don’t know where Cam’ron is, but I sure as hell know where Jay-Z is. He’s at a studio in Manhattan, CEO in full artist mode, feeling inspired and making his first true “concept” album. No he still doesn’t write his rhymes down but a pen and paper is getting heavy use today. It has the rough titles of the 14 songs Jigga has created and he’s carefully trying to create the perfect musical sequence for his new album. Inspired by the Denzel Washington flick that stays in rotation on a TV screen above him, Jay wants the album to tell a story from beginning to end.

He’s 100% sure he wants the album to begin with a song called “Pray,” his most intricate and vivid storytelling since the severely-underrated “Meet The Parents.” I believe it’s one of the four songs that will make the album that was produced by Puffy and the Hitmen. That’s right, Puffy and the Hitmen.

Jay told me a funny story in the elevator on the way to get his first look at the Hype Williams-directed “Blue Magic” video. He said Puff would always bug him like, “Nigga let me executive produce your next album.” Jay would basically be like, “What the fuck you talkin’ about? I’m a boss. And you’re a boss. That don’t even make any sense.” But finally Hova gave in and agreed to at least listen to what the Shiny Suit man had cookin’ in the stu. Surprisingly, he was blown away.

Supposedly, Puff had gotten all the D-Dots, Amen-Ras, Nashiems, Stevie J’s and Carlos Broadys back together again and they’ve been creating some funky 70’s soul inspired grooves. Jay asked Puff, “What are you doing with these tracks?” Puff was like, “I don’t even know. It’s just some cool shit, I listen to around my house. Walking around with my socks on and shit.”

Just how Just Blaze’s work inspired the beginning of Kingdom Come, the Hitmen tracks built the foundation of American Gangster. As it’s been widely reported (NY Times I see ya), most of Jay’s vocal content recounts hustler tales over neck snapping beats. Jay likens it to the lyrical side of Reasonable Doubt meets the musical majesty of Blueprint.

The album marriages Jay’s real life experiences like buying out the bar with his hustler buddies (the d-boy celebratory next release “Roc Boys”) with songs inspired by scenes from the movie. Notably, the one where Denzel as Frank Lucas is distraught that his nephew played by T.I. has abandoned his dreams of being professional baseball player and wants to get into the “family business.” Jay moved by that scene applies it his own cautionary lesson to his nephews for them to always stay on the right path.

Fuck what ya heard. Truth be told, “Blue Magic” is not even one of the strongest songs on the album. But Jay insists it was the best way to introduce the direction of the new record. (“Let’s take ‘em to the ‘80s, before we take ‘em to the ‘70s.”) The other record that the Imperial Skateboard P did, is the only song that sounds like it could be a commercial smash. It’s a song about the effect of heroin disguised as a love song. The rest here is straight gutter. A lot of “aggressive content” for you goofies and doofies.

Tracks like “Success” (produced by No ID “The Mentor”) will have your trunk rattling as well as the somewhat Dream-inspired “No Hook.” Light on the choruses, Jigga flourishes when he addresses some of the hot stove topics you want him to touch on. DeHaven, the mad extorter, gets it on a couple of tracks. And Beyonce, the fiancée?, gets a dedicated verse on which Jay declares, “She’s on my dick and I’m on her bra strap.” Besides y’all haters of the male persuasion couldn’t afford to take ole girl on a “million dollar vacation” like the big homie.

As it stands now, the album has a surprising end. The final song is called “Fallen,” produced by Jermaine Dupri. That’s right Prez Carter’s supposed corporate rival. Bilal’s on the hook but again this ain’t no commercial ish. It aims to bring the whole album full circle. That as always, gangstas don’t get chubby and move to Miami, they end up in jail or they die. Thankfully, American Gangster will prove Young Hova’s career is alive and well.

Loose Ends:
There’s a DJ Toomp track Jay is still working on and another one with a Marvin Gaye sample that Jay still feels needs some more production muscle. There’s also a new version of “Ignorant Shit” that features Beanie Sigel (the only guest rapper I heard so far) and Jay lets Imus have it in the final verse.

Jesus, that’s it for now, I got an interview to prepare for. Any of you fuckers got any questions you want me to ask the Great One, holla atcha boy. Y’all owe me.
http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=14486

[ScarySquirrel]

I didn't think that Kingdom Come was too bad, but it certainly wasn't some of Jay's stronger work. Since I heard about his American Gangster concept album, I've been pretty interested in how he's going to capture the film and how he's going to blend his real life experiences in with the music.

For some reason, I also think it's really cool that he's making a concept album for something that he's not even really associated with. Of course, that got me thinking how much cooler it would be if artists started making the entire soundtracks for movies just like they used to do back in the old days.

[roosta]

Diddy and Dupri producing?

Goodbye.

[adam_f]

You'll still buy it.

[roosta]

You'll still buy it.

I know

:(


well, actually, possibly not. cuz "Kingdom Come" was the first jay-z cd i didnt buy. I assumed i would after getting the advance download like usual, but then i realised i was a poor student and jay-z has more money than god so I thought, fuck that.

[g-mile7]

Diddy and Dupri producing?

Goodbye.

Well technically Diddy isn't producing I mean its just his team of beat makers and he comes in and add's this or that.

Dupri can make a good beat when he tries...I mean he's made some good shit for Usher and recently Mariah Carrey so dont count the CD as a dud yet....XXL seems to be really on its nuts right now.

[mickill]

This (http://nahright.com/news/2007/10/07/not-for-commercial-usage/#more-2298) guy's opinions are usually on point. I think this MIGHT POSSIBLY end up being his best album since THE BLACK ALBUM.

[roosta]

Video for "Blue Magic" (http://videos.onsmash.com/v/u3ixDTlvZl45L87s)

Im quietly excited about all this. Seems like it should be a nice, old-school Jigga story telling album.

You get the feeling he doesn't really care about big massive launch dates or hype anymore..he's done that. He just wants to release stuff that he feels, which is always good.

*wees pants*

[g-mile7]

This (http://nahright.com/news/2007/10/07/not-for-commercial-usage/#more-2298) guy's opinions are usually on point. I think this MIGHT POSSIBLY end up being his best album since THE BLACK ALBUM.

Even though I know folks wont admit it even if it is I hope its BETTER than Black Album so folks will get off its jock.


But yep like Ive been saying this album sounds good so far and in theory

[adam_f]

I'm not a fan of Blue Magic, and from what I read, it might not even make the final album cut but instead might just be a bonus track. That being said, I can't stop listening to Roc Boys, even though I can't get over the fact he's like 37 and is worth half a billion, yet he still talks about his "connect"

Maybe I read that from a link here, I don't know. I'll try to find it.

[mickill]

^I prefer Blue Magic over Roc Boys, personally. But yeah, it's a "bonus track" apparently.

1. Intro
2. Pray
3. American Dreamin’
4. Hello Brooklyn 2.0 ft. Lil Wayne
5. No Hook
6. Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)…
7. Sweet
8. I Know
9. Party Life
10. Ignorant Sh*t feat. Beanie Sigel
11. Say Hello
12. Success feat. Nas
13. Fallin’
BONUS TRACKS
14. Blue Magic
15. American Gangster

[Lex Diamonds]

When I saw that Hello Brooklyn 2.0 my first thought was that he might use some part of the Beastie Boys beat, as it does have the fattest bass ever. Or am I being a dork and missing some obvious Jay-Z song?

[adam_f]

What the hell is Lil Wayne doing on a song called Hell Brooklyn 2.0? I'm sick of that ugly fuck appearing on other people's songs, let alone appearing on his own.

[mickill]

Lil Wayne isn't without his flaws (forced rhymes, repetitive subject matter etc), but he's a monster compared to T.I. a/k/a "HUMAN NYQUIL IN THE FLESH". I'm just glad Jay has yet to feature him or Young Jeezeball on one of his albums.

[Lex Diamonds]

Well luckily for you T.I. won't be featuring on ANY more albums from now on LOL!

[Auton]

When I saw that Hello Brooklyn 2.0 my first thought was that he might use some part of the Beastie Boys beat, as it does have the fattest bass ever. Or am I being a dork and missing some obvious Jay-Z song?

yeah ditto.. i was about to post the same thing..

[g-mile7]

Lil Wayne isn't without his flaws (forced rhymes, repetitive subject matter etc), but he's a monster compared to T.I. a/k/a "HUMAN NYQUIL IN THE FLESH". I'm just glad Jay has yet to feature him or Young Jeezeball on one of his albums.

The thing is his flaws can be GLARING ((forced rhymes, repetitive subject matter, delievery/voice used on some songs from ADHD kid to wannabe Jamaican). I've tried hard to give Wayne a chance to prove all the internet, mainstream america hype, I really have been following Wayne every since Cash Money given their connection to Louisiana (my home away from home), but damn he keeps letting me down.

For every "Hustla Muzik", "Go DJ" (his two best SINGLES so far) and "Uh oh" theres verses like the ones found on "Barry Bonds", "Fireman" and "Brown Paper Bag".

And comparing Wayne to TI isn't saying much about Wayne. That and the fact TI is better at making "songs" then Wayne.

[g-mile7]

good god that "Blue Magic" video is kiiling "Show Me What You Got", let alone the song..."Roc Boys" is crazy hot (see Roosta Diddy and the Hitmen did this shit). Heres hoping that Dead Presidents 3 gets released





damn Jigga is one cool cat'

[mickill]

Wayne's delivery is what puts him over the top. I think he has a lot of sharp lines, but his flow is what really makes him stand out.

Jay in XXL (http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=15128)

[g-mile7]

Wayne's delivery is what puts him over the top. I think he has a lot of sharp lines, but his flow is what really makes him stand out.

Jay in XXL (http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=15128)

When he tries, yes, he is pretty damn good...but I guess I have to keep in mind that he is 25 so you'd hope he learn how to pick flows, deleiveries that match the songs he does as he ages. He also needs to work on cutting out many of his 8-grade punch lines which could be either taken as good or bad.


Like I said I have my share of Wayne songs I like....but theres just too many whack songs/lines for me to even consider him top 5 as of right now. Maybe top 5 in terms of active (cause he is right now the hardest working rapper in the game jumping on everything he can) but top 5, let alone number one. Please. And thats considering both mainstream/non-mainstream artist

[mickill]

He goes off the top of the head in a lot of his less than spectacular verses. You can hear it. There's a dramatic difference between his written and freestyled shit. I'm not sayin he goes a whole 16 bars all the way through, but he punches in a few lines and builds the verse. I know what you're saying, but if you put out hundred songs a week, you're bound to start spreading yourself a little thin. Which is fine. The guy's just hungry.

[Kid Presentable]

I gotta say, everything I've heard about this project, and all the various snippets, has me pretty excited. It sounds like his best stuff in years. I wish all artists I listen to could bounce back from a mediocre release with something dope (Hint Hint). I couldn't even give two shits about the movie.

[RobMoney$]

I'm considering going to this. (http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN2326966220071023)

[mickill]

"And no i'm not through with it
In fact i'm just previewin it... (http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=15334)"

Sounds like he's hungry again finally.

[Kid Presentable]

This may sound retarded, but I hope the Hello Brooklyn beat slips back into the 'Bass--Snare' rather than the 'BassBassBassBass' thing. Just for the sake of hearing Jay flow over the actual track. Also, I am interested to see who gets the production nod on that. It's Adrocks beat.

[mickill]

Maybe Just Blaze did it. He's redone a few vintage beats in the past. But more than likely it's some no name producer, since it's one of the 2 or 3 uncredited tracks left from the album.

[Kid Presentable]

Haha yeah, Adrock it is. Nah, I hear you on the Just Blaze thing.

[roosta]

Hahaha...deadly! Hello Brooklyn 2.0 IS a Beasties redux...good stuff.

[g-mile7]

I gotta say, everything I've heard about this project, and all the various snippets, has me pretty excited. It sounds like his best stuff in years. I wish all artists I listen to could bounce back from a mediocre release with something dope (Hint Hint). I couldn't even give two shits about the movie.

A Harlem heroin kingpin, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) smuggles the drug into America by hiding it in the coffins of American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is a detective who works to bring down Lucas.




that doesnt excite you? its one the craziest stories ever.

and with RZA, Common and TI in it too

[mickill]

Common plays T.I.'s dad in the movie. I don't know who that works out worse for.

Actually, I'm gonna have to say T.I.

[Lex Diamonds]

It's a great movie. Still (http://stage6.divx.com/user/fc04tylerdurden/video/1773722/10/23-News) need to see it in the cinema, though.

[adam_f]

Even thought it takes place in the 70's, it looks like Common is wearing the same shit he wore in those Gap ads.

[g-mile7]

Even thought it takes place in the 70's, it looks like Common is wearing the same shit he wore in those Gap ads.

hahaa

[g-mile7]

Common plays T.I.'s dad in the movie. I don't know who that works out worse for.

Actually, I'm gonna have to say T.I.

meh well they at least the same complexion...

good god the sampler is making me even more hyped!! I mean there was only one or two songs I didnt feel, but it was mainly the beat (and no it wasnt HB 2.0 which sounds like its going be amazing even from Wayne verse)


I hope he adds some special treats on the final cut (rumor that he mentioned he'd like Primo to get on it)...this cd is sooooo going bump.

[mickill]

I'm saying would you rather be playing another rapper's little son or play some other rapper's old ass dad?

Here's (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572773/20071025/jay_z.jhtml) the answer as to who did the Hello Brooklyn track. It turns out it came from Lil Wayne's camp. And it was originally one of the several thousand supposed Carter 3 joints.

And there's going to be a Dynasty 2 album.

And Jadakiss is about to officially sign to Roc/Def Jam.

And Jay wants people to believe that Memphis Bleek's got something worth checking for. Again.

[mickill]

No Hook (http://www.zshare.net/audio/44640710e3228e/)

[Lex Diamonds]

That link's deaded already, man. I got it yesterday and it's pretty hot, somewhere between Blue Magic and Roc Boys in my opinion. The album should internet-leak any second now, there's already CDs out there. So far sounds like it should easily be better than KC and somewhere between Vol. 3 and Vol. 1. Here's hoping anyways.

And even though it's not on the album, I'm still most hyped about a leak of DP3. That shit sounds crazy.


PS
Sorry 'bout the meaningless comparisons, it's just the easiest way to rate things, despite the fact that Jay himself has stated he hates being compared to his earlier work.

[Lex Diamonds]

OK, just heard the leak. Needs to grow on me, I think. Won't bother reviewing it yet as it needs to sink in. It's not amazing, though.

The beat on the Nas song is so wack, it's a real wasted opportunity. :(

[Lex Diamonds]

Listened to it twice, and don't think it's as good as Kingdom Come.

What does everyone else think? I'm still hoping it'll grow on me.

[mickill]

Listened to it 10 TIMES NOW. JUST SAYIN'. HAD IT FOR A WEEK NOW. YOU KNOW....JUST SAYIN'.

1. Intro - Not bad. Does a good job of setting the mood.
2. Pray - Nothing special, but solid.
3. American Dreamin - Not my cup of tea. The beats a little to Sade for my tastes.
4. Hello Brooklyn 2.0 - Nice track. Weezy stands to the side and lets Jay do most of the work. The hook's decent.
5. No Hook - Most original flow on the album. I dig it.
6. Roc Boys - Not my favorite shit, but it's still solid.
7. Sweet - Cool blaxploitation-styled beat. Reminds me of some Blueprint shit.
8. I Know - The drum intro is a bit deceiving, but it's cool for some chick tune. Pharrell doesn't seem to like supplying Jay with anything actually dope still.
9. Party Life - One of the more generic tracks on the album. I don't mind it, though.
10. Ignorant Shit - Most pointless addition to the album. Still a cool song, just.....how old is this shit now?
11. Say Hello - Kinda has a dirty south feel to it. Like something UGK or Three 6 Mafia would do.
12. Success - I dig it. The beat's no nonsense. Nothing frilly. No gimmicks.
13. Fallin’ - Kinda whatever. Don't really care for it, but still decent.

14. Blue Magic - Still my personal favorite. I wish the whole album sounded like this.
15. American Gangster - Strong track. Don't know why he didn't close the album out with it.

Overall, I think it's his most consistent work since Blueprint. It's nowhere near as strong as the Black Album, but twice as good as Kingdom Come.

[DeeJayZap]

oh damn, how'd you get the full album?

[RobMoney$]

Mickill is street. That's how.


I've heard a bunch of those tracks on some of his new mixtapes. Everything I've heard sounds lovely.

Check out my Freeway thread for the new song Jay & Free got called Big Spender, shit's the truth.

[RobMoney$]

BTW, I got the bootlegged copy of the movie today.
Can't wait till I get a minute to sit down and watch it.

[Lex Diamonds]

14. Blue Magic - Still my personal favorite. I wish the whole album sounded like this.
I agree with this but no way is the album better than Kingdom Come. If you take two tracks out then Kingdom Come is more consistent and nothing on this album comes close to that title track.

I've still only heard it twice but it hasn't really made me want to listen to it any more. Will check it again now though.

[mickill]

No, the album is better than Kingdom Come. You'll eventually agree with me. You'll see.

[Lex Diamonds]

Maybe the beats will grow on me but the lyrics are plainly not as good as KC. Hopefully when my expectations have died away it'll sound like a decent album but it's not as good as KC.

[mickill]

It's not as good. It's better than KC.

[g-mile7]

It's not as good. It's better than KC.

easily better...by miles. KC had no structure let alone memorable lyrics.



The album doesnt have a "Kingdom Come" type track but it makes up for that with the consitency of beats, lyrics and such

[Mr Films]

hey somebody be a doll and send it my way.

ayyyyy?

[RobMoney$]

It's everywhere.
Show a little "internet" initiative why don't you.

[Mr Films]

It's everywhere.
Show a little "internet" initiative why don't you.

no need.
someone was nice enough to hook me up. (y)

[Lex Diamonds]

Well whoever that was must have a huuuge dick and be good with the ladies.

[p-branez]

roc boys

[roosta]

i really like it.

Its definitely better than Kingdom Come, lyrically and beat-wise. Its a throw back to the pre-mentioning-hanging-out-with-Bono-doing-songs-with-Coldplay Jay. Crack dealing song Jay.

[Lex Diamonds]

You can see that as a good or a bad thing. It's nice stylistically, although I heard someone sum it up by saying "it's quite sad to hear a millionaire approaching 40 talking about nickel bags he sold 20 years ago".

[roosta]

You can see that as a good or a bad thing. It's nice stylistically, although I heard someone sum it up by saying "it's quite sad to hear a millionaire approaching 40 talking about nickel bags he sold 20 years ago".

well...c'mon, he's not literally talking about real things he did with every song. Its a clichéd argument, but the whole "he's like a film director" thing is kinda true. is it sad that scorcese is still making films about gangsters at his age?

[mickill]

I don't think I've ever heard Jay talk about selling "nickel bags". And if he did, I don't think that would be anything to brag about. Gown men bring billions of dollars in drugs into the US every year, not the teenage dirtbags doing hand to hands in the park.

I'm really feeling Success, No Hook and Sweet.

LET THAT BITCH BREATHE.

[Kid Presentable]

Success is so good. It's fucking ill, actually. The album drops on Kingdom Come from great, great heights. I still love Blue Magic, and Hello Brooklyn is wicked too. Nice one. (y)

[g-mile7]

Success is so good. It's fucking ill, actually. The album drops on Kingdom Come from great, great heights. I still love Blue Magic, and Hello Brooklyn is wicked too. Nice one. (y)

Yea Hello Brooklyn is a banger and Wayne chose a vocal style that went great with the beat... Im glad it came out well!! Really good almost a mix of RD/BPI in terms of the production and lyrics.

Really no need to type out a full review since its been getting jocked by all the reviewers (which is a good thing). I did notice how the middle seemed very strong in comparison to KC which had its weakest section in the middle (3 lack luster songs in a row). You can tell he did use the movie for a backdrop though....starts off rugged in the begining, living the phat life in the middle and starting to see it all crash the last two tracks. It is amazing that a man of his age (damn near 38) could put toghter something lyrically (and beat wise by extension since he chose the tracks to use) this good. It's unheard of in Hip-Hop...unless your Ghostface Killah (in terms of LP's)




My Fav:

Roc Boys
Sweet
No Hook (his flow is ill)
I Know (and I know peeps will say they dont like it but in the scheme of the movie and the fact the beat is so clean (better then Pharrels KC contribution)
Say Hello *(made me laugh with the BIATCH at the end)
and even though its old Ignorant Shit (BEANS killed it)


Songs that will have to grow on me are American Dreamin' and Fallin'...but they are still great tracks (even Jay in an earlier interview didnt know if American Dreamin' was going make the final cut)


hahaha Nas brought the heat again.

[g-mile7]

You can see that as a good or a bad thing. It's nice stylistically, although I heard someone sum it up by saying "it's quite sad to hear a millionaire approaching 40 talking about nickel bags he sold 20 years ago".

hahaha every song I've heard dealing with dealing was done in retrospect plus this is built around the movie and the shared simaliraties between him and Lucas PLUS lots of peeople have been wanting Jay to return to this type of rapping.


He ain't saying he still in the streets like some rappers man. And whoever said that quote is dumb. Why are you listening in the first place I would ask that person, let alone not even listening to the lyrics in its proper context...

[mickill]

C'mon baby (http://www.zshare.net/audio/4725283bf86eda/)

[mickill]

My man... (http://videos.onsmash.com/v/lpfbTekxRAM2HP6L)

[RobMoney$]

Anybody catch him on Sirius, he took over the Hip-Hop channel 40 for like 3 days.
He broke down the entire album, track by track, and explained the entire story behind the concept of the album.

[g-mile7]

My man... (http://videos.onsmash.com/v/lpfbTekxRAM2HP6L)

hahahahaa thats amazing....


http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/3/3/7/3/14453733-14453735-large.jpg



the video reminds me of this picture once more haha


Jay-Z will be on VH1 tommorow as well on StoryTellers

[Mr Films]

after some thought, I think I just might like this more than the Black Album.

[mickill]

I think that The Black Album is his overall strongest album. The Blueprint is a close second. Reasonable Doubt had too many familiar/re-used samples and sort of lost momentum towards the end.

American Gangster is like a slightly weaker Blueprint. Both are very consistent.

[cubsfirstplace]

this is my new favorite album of the year

[g-mile7]

after some thought, I think I just might like this more than the Black Album.

You know I was thinking that.....



and songs like Moment of Clarity, Change Clothes, Dirt off Your Shoulders and to an extent Justify My Thug hold Black Album back. Not to mention the whole "reminisce" vibe of the album (similar to Kingdom Come) kind of took some of the power out of it (its your victory lap man go out swinging all the way through the album..Threats, 99 Problems, PSA, etc are songs that are swinging)


I still hold Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt up there before Black Album (there were maybe two songs that I thought were meh on that album not counting the remix at the end)....Ima give American Gangster time before I say "YES" it's better then Black Album all I know is I weight albums based on the strengths of their weakest and strongest tracks and both production. lyrics and flow wise American Gangster is pretty on point. Shit even the "I Know" song lyrically is pretty damn tight (rapping from the point of view of the drug or drug dealer depending on your interpatation of the song)

[RobMoney$]

My only knock on this is the fact that I think he's glamorizing being a Heroin dealer too much. The album makes me wanna go out and sell that shit.

[g-mile7]

In related Def Jam/Jay-Z news....I didnt know Nas' Greatest Hits came out the same day?

http://www.myspace.com/nasgreatesthits




Cool that hye put his Less Than an Hour on there its a pretty clean jointand the remix to Street Dreams (also no tracks from Nastradamus)

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17216041/nas_greatest_hits_a_trackbytrack_journey_with_the_ pride_of_queens

[yeahwho]

I was watching this snippet of Jay-Z on Charlie Rose (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzmAav8yCkI), then I clicked this link to DUNHAM RECORDS (http://www.myspace.com/dunhamrecords), fuck, if that isn't some of the finest music I've ever heard and I thought I knew the platters.

Great Album, one of my top 10's of '07 without a doubt.

crank up that DUNHAM RECORDS link, it's on fire.

[SobaViolence]

i didn't think Black Album was great. it was ok.
Kingdom Come wasn't better, but less sub par tracks than Black.
American Gangster is better than both of them.

[Mr Films]

I dunno, I came to not even count Kingdom Come as a proper Jay-Z album as time went on. I will personally view AG as his "comeback".

[g-mile7]

i didn't think Black Album was great. it was ok.
Kingdom Come wasn't better, but less sub par tracks than Black.
American Gangster is better than both of them.

Reasonable Doubt is a 5 star album(Can't Knock the Hustle even the video is hot, Feelin It, Can I Live, D'evils...come on I could keep going)....not to mention thats NY hip-hop at it's finest. Black Album is light years ahead of Kingdom Come though eevn though songs like the title and 30 Something are standout tracks on the LP.





Just alot of folks dig Black Album cuz it was Jay's "last" album (thus the allure), the movie Fade to Black and it had 99 Problems with Rick Rubin producing that old school feel. It had nice songs (which I listed) but both BluePrint and Reasonable Doubt had stronger songs lyricaly and production wise (not to mention the three albums run about the same length roughly) on average. And they were more a tighter package which is what I base my criticism on.


At the end of the day if Jay was to retire now (which I know won't happen) I'd be more satisified with this offering more than Black Album. After all originally Black Album was to be shaped as American Gangster with the return of the Reasonable Doubt feel. This album just feels/sounds "cool" to me. I didn't feel that with Black Album.

At the end of the day American Gangster is a welcomed suprise. Me and Auton were kind of bummed the Beastie Boys didn't get a writers credit though (and what the fuck is with "all instruments played by Bigg D" in the booklet??)

[The Notorious LOL]

about time he put "Ignorant Shit" out. That track has to be at least 4 years old though.

[g-mile7]

about time he put "Ignorant Shit" out. That track has to be at least 4 years old though.

Funny thing is that song is still relevant today...shit. It's a banger.

[The Notorious LOL]

I think overall this album is probably Jays most impressive based simply on the timeline. He started the recording process in late September and the album is in stores in early November. Pretty much everything else he has done was announced way in advance. I remember seeing press ads for The Black Album in 2002 that listed Dre and Premier amongst the producers.

I think Kingdom Come probably sucked because he made too calculated of decisions in the recording process. A lot of that "well how can I do this REALLY well' mentality rather than just recording and seeing what happens.

[Mr Films]

Yeah, I remember reading a billboard article with the headline...

"Jay-Z in no hurry to record another album."

Then, like 2 weeks later it was...

"Jay-Z to release American Gangster Nov. 6"

[Kid Presentable]

If the intro is the walk into the cinema, Pray is the opening credits, and American Dreamin is the 'funnel' to the '88 of Hello Brooklyn. That's the only way I can really hear the first 4 tracks of this album.

He really laces unconventional (read: Mediocre) production on Pray. I don't like the beat at all, especially that slowed-down techno sound of kick drums. I hear that on a song and I'm instantly put off. I wish I weren't, but he does the work to make it listenable. Rest of the album is great.

[Lex Diamonds]

I've gotta admit it's kinda growing on me. I still think the production is average, though.

No way is it as good as Blueprint like some chumps are saying. I could still pick 3 or 4 tracks off Kingdom Come that beat any of the songs on AG.

[Mr Films]

some of the production on KC might be better than production on AG but his flows/lyrics on this one kill anything off of Kingdome Come. I can't even recall a memorable line from KC, to be honest.

LOL is right about the recording process being different here. It's what yielded such badassery as "Success". That track is barely even a "song" but it still mops the floor with anything off of Kingdom Come.

[Lex Diamonds]

some of the production on KC might be better than production on AG but his flows/lyrics on this one kill anything off of Kingdome Come. I can't even recall a memorable line from KC, to be honest.
Some of my favourite Jigga lines are from that album.

"Guess who's back?
Since this is a New Era got a fresh new hat"

"Take off the blazer, loosen up the tie
Step inside the booth, Superman is alive!"

"Seeling blow in the park, used to know in my heart
Now I'm so enlightened I might glow in the dark"

"In lieu of lil' niggas tryina play that boy
I *pow pow* lil' niggas with the latest toy"

"We used to ball like that...
Now we own the ball team, holla back!"

"I'm afraid of the future, y'all respect the one who got shot
I respect the shooter" (<--- Subliminal 50 diss?)


In my opinion KC had more memorable lines.

[roosta]

KC has a very weak middle section, and not a very strong end. Basically, it starts really good.

This ,however, is consistently pretty good. Nothing amazing, nothing very shit.

[Lex Diamonds]

KC has a very weak middle section, and not a very strong end. Basically, it starts really good.

This ,however, is consistently pretty good. Nothing amazing, nothing very shit.
The way I see it, KC has 3 shit songs: Show Me What You Got, Anything, and Hollywood. The rest ranges from good to crack.

Fair enough AG doesn't have the shit 3, but for me nothing really gets above "good" except Blue Magic, which isn't even part of the concept.

[g-mile7]

I think overall this album is probably Jays most impressive based simply on the timeline. He started the recording process in late September and the album is in stores in early November. Pretty much everything else he has done was announced way in advance. I remember seeing press ads for The Black Album in 2002 that listed Dre and Premier amongst the producers.

I think Kingdom Come probably sucked because he made too calculated of decisions in the recording process. A lot of that "well how can I do this REALLY well' mentality rather than just recording and seeing what happens.

agree




and KC had more than just 3 weak tracks....production wise it's only strong point was the title track really (and Beach Chair and Do U Wanna Ride was mentioned on alot of critics top 3 list).


And if you think "Blue Magic" is the best track on the album(or at least the one you feelin the most)...shame on you. But I guess you like the "gritty" shit and it is pretty "Clipse" with the production (although I like the track and like the Volume II flow he uses on it)

And you talking about lines?


Look.. mind state of a gangster from the 40's
meets the business mind of Motown's Berry Gordy
Turned crack rock into a chain of 40/40's
Sorry my jewelry is so gaudy


Geah.. anywhere there's oppression
The drug profession
flourishes like beverages
Refreshing, ahhh! Sweet taste of sin

I'm trying to beat life 'cause I can't cheat death

Who in the F knows how to be successful
Need a "Personal Jesus," I'm in Depeche Mode
They say its celestial, its all in the stars
Like Tony LaRussa on how you play your Cards

Are you sayin what I'm spittin
Is worse than these celebrataunts showin they kittin, you kiddin!

Tell him I remove the curses
If you tell me our schools gon' be perfect
When Jena Six don't exist
Tell him that's when I'll stop sayin bitch, BIAAAAATCH~!

Niggas said Hova was ova, such dummies
Even If I fell I'll land on a bunch of money


This is not for commercial usage
Please don't categorize this as music
Please don't compare me to other rappers
Compare me to trappers, I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris
And Luda's my dude, I ain't trying to diss
Like Frank Lucas is cool, but I ain't trying to snitch


you kiddin me Paddy? You kiddin me?

But whatever bump KC it does have some lines but its still not close to this album

[g-mile7]

KC has a very weak middle section, and not a very strong end. Basically, it starts really good.

This ,however, is consistently pretty good. Nothing amazing, nothing very shit.

I thought Say Hello was pretty epic though...but I do agree like I said there is no "Kingdom Come" like track on this LP, which I think is for the best since 3 memorables songs out of a CD of 12 or more tracks doesnt cosntitue as a classic/amazing album to me

[Mr Films]

"I used to give a fuck
now I give a fuck less
what do I think of success?
it sucks
too much stress."

[Kid Presentable]

"I used to give a fuck
now I give a fuck less
what do I think of success?
it sucks
too much stress."

That's a great line, but it's Eminem.

[Mr Films]

yeah, I know.

I just felt like quoting it cuz it was playing at that particular moment.

[hpdrifter]

Wait, I was going to throw that line out there for why I like this album.

What you mean its Eminem?

[hpdrifter]

I really like the beat on Blue Magic.

That sample on Ignorant Shit has been used about a million times but they sped it up a little and I guess that's better than just lifting the vocal and putting a new one on top of it.

I like that song, though. I've only listened to it a couple times but I think its good.

[mickill]

Trouble had the single best line off of Kingdom Come:

"Fuck that!", exclamation, comma
quotations, I love drama, period

Apart from that track, Kingdom Come and Minority Report (and possibly The Prelude), there were no real stand out songs on that album. But it wasn't necessarily "bad". If it wasn't labeled a comeback album and if he had just left out garbage like Anything, Hollywood, Beach Chair and Show Me What You Got, I think more people would have given it a chance. Also, if he'd just refined the lyrics on I Made It and Do You Wanna Ride a little they could have contributed some actual significance to the overall album, that would have helped. But even the so-called "strong" tracks on the album had very little replay value; Oh My God, 30 Something and Lost Ones were just some really boring songs. It might be light years ahead of Hard Knock Life in the intelligence department, but Kingdom Come was probably his weakest album to date.

[Lex Diamonds]

Geah.. anywhere there's oppression
The drug profession
flourishes like beverages
Refreshing, ahhh! Sweet taste of sin

Niggas said Hova was ova, such dummies
Even If I fell I'll land on a bunch of money


This is not for commercial usage
Please don't categorize this as music
Please don't compare me to other rappers
Compare me to trappers, I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris
And Luda's my dude, I ain't trying to diss
Like Frank Lucas is cool, but I ain't trying to snitch
I'll give you those, they are hot as fuck.

I'm not saying it aint a good album, just saying I think Kingdom Come is a more consistent album and even though most people hate on the whole "grown man" steez I kinda like it. This hustler shit is getting stale and even though he's still good at it, I like to hear him do something new.

[mickill]

This hustler shit is getting stale and even though he's still good at it, I like to hear him do something new.

Well, I think :rolleyes:. Also, :rolleyes:. But, you know, :rolleyes:. Anyway, :rolleyes:.

Oh, and :rolleyes:.

[hpdrifter]

Answer my question about Eminem you jerks!

I liked Dig a Hole off of KC too.

[Mr Films]

Eminem "I'm Back"

I used to give a - fuck, now I could give a fuck less
What do I think of suc-cess? It sucks, too much press I'm stressed

[g-mile7]

She like it hardcore, So I grind slow
Iller than Albee Square Mall back in the 9-0
My fine hoe we got some victims to catch
So in a couple years baby I'm a bring you some "Nets"

This is the genesis of a nemesis
Mother America's not witnessed since
The Harlem renaissance birthed black businesses

I ain't no ordinary nigga
Look around, this ain't what ordinary gets ya (IT AIN'T~!)
Extraordinary figgas (damn)
I'm an extra ordinary nigga

My mind on my money, money on my mind
If you owe me ten dollars you ain't givin me nine!
Y'all ain't give me 40 acres and a mule
So I got my glock 40 now I'm cool


They're all actors
Lookin at themselves in the mirror backwards
Can't even face themselves (even though its old its still on this CD)

So don't believe everything your earlobe captures; it's mostly backwards
Unless it happens to be as accurate as me
And everything said in song you happen to see
Then, actually, believe half of what you see
None of what you hear, even if it's spat by me
And with that said, I will kill niggaz dead


Spike Lee's everywhere, game on the flight
You might see me anywhere, day in the life (just like the rhyme scheme on this part)

Pink Rosay, think OJ
I get away with murder when I sling yay

Rare Porsches, rare portraits
Rare guns if you dare come near the fortress
This apple sauce is from the apple orchid
This kinda talk is only reserved for the bosses

[g-mile7]

"I'm afraid of the future, y'all respect the one who got shot
I respect the shooter" (<--- Subliminal 50 diss?)


In my opinion KC had more memorable lines.

and for correction more people think that line is at Cameron, not 50.


Without a #1 record, I'm the number-one man," he began rapping. " ... I'm so cool, I'm my number-one fan/ ... Now I'm standing on Elvis' blue suede shoes, 'cause I'm #1 again."


mtv.com (from his show at the Apollo)