The Blueprint
Sign In to rate and review
CRITIC REVIEWS
100
Besides rhymes that challenge those on Reasonable Doubt as the most crafted of Jay-Z's career to date in terms of not only lyrics but also flow and delivery, The Blueprint also boasts some of his most extravagant beats.
100
With his well-established flow, comedic verses and “rewind-me” lines, Jay Z has hit the streets with an album that shows why he is the number one contender for the crown of New York.
87
What holds it together is Jigga's overwhelming self-assuredness-- the kind of justified confidence you can imagine witnessing from a world conqueror or cult leader.
80
Jay-Z is the don of the one-liner, the couplet, the verse and the chorus too.
70
Though he's a sharp, detailed writer, a meticulous craftsman and an influential stylist ... Jay-Z is not extremely expressive or innovative, and The Blueprint threatens at times to slide into monotony.
60
Less is often more, and with tracks like “Never Change,” Jay-Z fails to make the samples his own. They are the “blueprints” on which the rapper lays his rhymes and, in essence, takes all the credit.
Imagine bumping one of the greatest hip hop records of all time on your Sony Walkman in the morning on the train to work from Brooklyn and you see a fucking plane hit the World Trade Center. Shit crazy bro.
Original rating: 42
Wow, this album grew on me a lot.
I always thought Jay-Z was an extremely overrated rapper (still do), and up to this point I deemed 4:44 as his "only good album". But after seeing this album in Rolling Stones top 100 albums list (No.50), I decided to re-listen to it, and I'm glad I did.
The best thing about the Blueprint is without a doubt the production. Being the big debut for both Kanye West & Just Blaze, what these two bring to the table is some of ... read more
Wow, this album grew on me a lot.
I always thought Jay-Z was an extremely overrated rapper (still do), and up to this point I deemed 4:44 as his "only good album". But after seeing this album in Rolling Stones top 100 albums list (No.50), I decided to re-listen to it, and I'm glad I did.
The best thing about the Blueprint is without a doubt the production. Being the big debut for both Kanye West & Just Blaze, what these two bring to the table is some of ... read more
☆☆☆☆ 1/2
Shut up for a second and understand who the FUCK this man is in front of the mic... this isn't Hov'... this ain't even Jigga...
This man is The Godfather of Hip-Hop.
Not only does the record outclass practically everything else that's been conceived the same year of its release, but JAY-Z's acclaimed "magnum-opus" is a calibre of the genre that holds quite possibly some of the finest moments in all of Hip-Hop history.
"Takeover", to start with, ... read more
Shut up for a second and understand who the FUCK this man is in front of the mic... this isn't Hov'... this ain't even Jigga...
This man is The Godfather of Hip-Hop.
Not only does the record outclass practically everything else that's been conceived the same year of its release, but JAY-Z's acclaimed "magnum-opus" is a calibre of the genre that holds quite possibly some of the finest moments in all of Hip-Hop history.
"Takeover", to start with, ... read more
Jay-Z is an artist who needs no introduction, and The Blueprint doesn't need one either. It's been solidified as a classic, and I'd definitely agree with this status, but in my opinion it's not his best project by a decent margin. Although his classy beats and killer flows retain on this album, it lacks memorability as I struggle to remember how a handful of the songs actually sound like after listening through.
Even though the songs aren't that memorable, it doesn't take away from their ... read more
Even though the songs aren't that memorable, it doesn't take away from their ... read more
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement
Track List
- The Ruler's Back
- Takeover
- Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
- Girls, Girls, Girls
- Jigga That Nigga
- U Don't Know
- Hola' Hovito
- Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love)
- Never Change
- Song Cry
- All I Need
- Renagade
- Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)
Advertisement
