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THE BLUEPRINT (EXPLICIT VERSIO |  | Artist: Jay-Z
Label: Mercury Records Ltd (London)
Category: Music
List Price: £9.99
Buy New: £4.13
as of 21/11/2009 12:08 GMT details
You Save: £5.86 (59%)
New (46) Used (14) from £2.75
Seller: born_in_the_usb
Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 1475
Format: Enhanced, Explicit Lyrics
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Running Time: 64 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 586396
UPC: 731458639626
EAN: 0731458639626
ASIN: B00005O54T
Release Date: December 23, 2002
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | 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 | | • | Renegade - Jay-Z, Eminem | | • | Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)/Lyrical Exercise/Girls, Girls, Girls Part 2 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
IThe Blueprint/I may be Jay Z's most captivating record since IReasonable Doubt/I, but its predictably detached mood reflects the master hustler's superior ability to trick out lacklustre subject matter with lyrical complexity and brief flashes of manufactured introspection. IThe Blueprint/I, a solid mix of pre-programmed radio hits ("Izzo", "Girls, Girls, Girls") and better-than-average mid-tempo compositions ("Never Change", "Song Cry"), confirms the Brooklyn rapper's legendary status. Blistering flames of the Queensbridge/Jay Z feud fan high with "Takeover", a direct attack on Nas, set over The Doors' rock roll burner, "5 To 1". "Renegade" provides the album's only full-on guest appearance. Jay and Eminem take this opportunity to address haters (within the industry and in the general population) who don't understand the mind of an artist. Jigga spells it out on the title track: "IReasonable Doubt/I-classic, shoulda went triple". IThe Blueprint/I might not be quite on par with IReasonable Doubt/I but it Iis/I reasonably good. --IRebecca Levine/I
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 31
 WHOA!!! Hova shows everyone why he is the king... September 29, 2001
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
After reading reviews and comments on U.S.A forums i was really excited about the realease of this album, and i was not dissapointed! For this album Jay drops his Roc-A-Fella rap team and his usual commercial super-producers and instead goes solo for all but 1 track and uses BINK, Kanye West and Just Blaze for production (He does 1 track with TIMBO.) This has def. worked for him, the beats are full of emotional samples and the lyrics are very personal! Forget Bling Bling! Here is my track breakdown : 1: The Rulers Back-This is sort of the intro to the album my least fave. 2:Takeover- One of the best songs, Jay's diss to Mobb Deep and Nas great sample of a classic rock song by 'The Doors' also hot production by Kanye West. 3:IZZO (H.O.V.A)- The 1st single nice hip pop style song. 4:Girls,Girls,Girls- A good track about all of Jigga's Ladies nice sample and good production by Just Blaze (Hooks sung by Q-Tip, Slick Rick and Biz Markie) 5: Jigga that N***a- Hot club joint with production by TM. 6: U don't Know-One of the best sample uses iv'e ever heard and a hot track. 7:Hola Hovito- One of the other commercial tracks with great production by Timbaland, cool lyrics and great hook. 8:Heart of the city (Ain;t No love)- Great production by Kanye West incorperating a great sample of a bobby BLUE bland song (One of my faves on the cd). 9: Never Change- Yet another hot sample and great lyrics and hot production by Kanye West. 10: Song Cry- A personal song about an ex girl of Jay's nice song! 11: All I need- Good production by Bink and nice lyrics and flow. 11:Renegade Feat. Eminem- Probly the best track on the album great flow by Em and Jay and eerie production by eminem. 12: BluePrint(Momma Loves Me) Nice slow song representing Jay's life story! BONUS TRACKS 13b (Found at 4:05mins into the track)- Lyrical Excercise(Breathe Easy) Good hardcore track made for the streets. 13c (Found straight after 13b)-Girls, Girls, Girls Remix-A great RMX of girls ... New sample new lyrics and a great new beat, i prefer this to the original G,G,G! Overall this is Jay Z's best album in a very long time definetley worth buying for anyone who even considers liking rap music. br Tracks: 13 with 2 bonus-overall 15 songsbr Producers:5br Guests:1-EminembrOverall Score- 5/5
A great Album by the BEST RAPER EVA October 9, 2004
Guhan Swaminathan (Essex, UK)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Shawn Cater is known by many different names. Jigga, Hova and of course, Jay-Z. He made his name with such classics as Reasonable Doubt, Hard Knock Life and The Life And Times Of Shawn Cater. The Blueprint carries on the legacy of Jay-Z. Some standout tracks are Renagade and Song Cry. Some say that Jigga has turned pop, but it doesn't mean this album can't be a classic.pThe Rulers Back 5/5brTakeover 4/5brIzzo (H.O.V.A.) 5/5brGirls, Girls, Girls 5/5brJigga That N***a 5/5brU Don't Know 4/5brHola Hovito 5/5brHeart Of The City (Ain't No Love) 5/5brNever Change 6/5brSong Cry 6/5brAll I Need 5/5brRenegade 6/5brBlueprint (Momma Loves Me) 5/5p(There are two extra songs after Blueprint (Momma Loves Me) One is a Girls, Girls, Girls Remix)pThis allbum is great, and after a year, I'm still not bored of it. Buy it today!
A Certified Hip-Hop Classic February 7, 2004
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Following the platinum success of Jay's debut album "Reasonable Doubt", big things were expected. What followed was a series of albums that never quite lived up to the buzz that had been created, leaving many hip-hoppers scratching their heads as to what may have gone wrong. Many thought Jigga had crossed over to a market more in line with commercial "hip-pop" than his debut which boasted quality lyrics, delivery, flow, production, street-orientated subject matter and even an appearance by the late great Notorious B.I.G. (the result of which was arguably one of the finest collaborations in Hip-Hop history). Make no mistake, The Blueprint is not only an answer to those headscratchers and critics alike, but a testament to Jay-Z's progression as a rapper and proof that he truly is a top contender for the "King of New York" crown. pThe first thing I noticed when reading the inlay of this album was the lack of guest appearances. As purchasers of previous Jigga material will know, Hova liked to share the mic with various guest rappers. Non moreso than those from the Roc-a-fella camp such as Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek. Indeed the previous offering (The dynasty) was not so much a Jay-Z solo album as a Roc-a-fella showcase. Not this time though. Jay keeps the majority of the limelight for himself. There's also a distinct switch in production style. pThe Blueprint is executively produced by the usual Roc-a-fella trio of Jay, Dame Dash Kareem Burke. However, the small handful of producers used on this album really does breathe new life into Jay's game. Especially with the addition of rookie producers (at the time) Just Blaze and Kanye West. The introduction of sampling soul material and fusing it with Jay's lyrics and flow-switching delivery is pure genius. pThe album opener "The Ruler's Back" really does set the tone accurately. For what essentially is an intro, there is fire interwoven in his lyrics and the sample of Jackie Moore's "If" rings with authority. Even at this stage it's evident that the jiggaman has a new confidence about him, not only in terms of voice tone, delivery and flow, but also in the clarity and certainty with which his lyrics are hammered home. Almost at times as if he were in general conversation with the listener, surely a rare skill by anybody's standards. pJay brings it back to the streets with "Takeover" on which he addresses his feud with fellow rappers Nas and Mobb Deep. It's hard not to enjoy the comedic straight-to-the-point jabs that Jigga lands on the afore mentioned, over a thunderous beat whilst sampling The Doors "Five To One". Listen out for the almost sly David Bowie reference too. pFor those who enjoy Jay's commercial sound though, fear not. Hova definately does not disappoint on tracks like "Jigga that N***a" or the Jackson 5 sampling lead single "Izzo (H.O.V.A)" brJay expresses his love for the female population on the album's second single "Girls, Girls, Girls" in a humorous fashion. Though uncredited on the reverse of the CD case, the chorus features cameo appearances from Hip-Hop veterans Biz Markie, brQ-Tip and Slick Rick. pIf you're a REAL Hip-hop head into skilled wordplay and hard production then you'll check for the Just blaze produced "U Don't Know". Jigga takes the opportunity to reclaim the streets with this one, as well as schooling you as to how he got where he is today. This is Jay-Z "The business man" and he ain't into joking when it comes to commerce - this track makes that crystal clear. You'll also appreciate the track that follows. What Jay-Z album would be complete without a Timbaland production? Well, The Blueprint sees Timbo and Hova teaming up once more on the bouncy, hi-hat laced "Hola Hovito" which is a certified Jay-Z anthem for your party, your car, your walkman and so on. pOne of the album's standout tracks, for me, comes in the form of the Kanye West produced "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)". It boasts a fantastic use of a Bobby Blue Band sample, which is also exercised as the basis for the chorus. Jay takes the opportunity to address his "haters" on this track and in doing so makes you wonder why they bother.pThe soul sampling continues to wow the listener on tracks such as "Never Change" and "Song Cry", the latter being one of the most personal, open and indeed touching tracks in Jay's catalogue. He reveals feelings that you sense have been locked away for quite some time. Even rappers have an emotional side. Well worth a close listen. pJigga reps for the Roc-a-fella camp on "All I Need" which paves the way for the Eminem featured and produced "Renagade". It's difficult to describe the sheer brilliance of this track in words and do it justice. Jigga and Em lace two verses each with their trademark (and very different) flows. And to say it works is an understatement. Originally this track was recorded by Eminem and fellow Detroit M.C. Royce Da 5'9". With all due respect to Royce (I am a fan), you get the feeling that slim made the right choice when he decided to polish up the production, remove Royce and let Jay present some of the more negative aspects of his life, past and present. If you've ever heard "Don't Approach Me" by Xzibit featuring Eminem, this is almost like a new and improved "part II" of that with Jay in Xzibit's place. pDespite the track listing, the album doesn't end with "Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)", listen for the two excellent hidden tracks "Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise)" and "Girls, Girls, Girls (Remix) providing a brilliant ending to a brilliant album. pIn a nutshell, this is a certified Hip-Hop classic. 13 (+2) tracks of pure Jiggaman magic. Don't hate him for his past mistakes, Jay has redeemed himself. Hand the King of N.Y. his crown and take a bow.
JAY-Z AT HIS BEST!!!!!!!!!!!! February 22, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is one of the best albums around, and is Jay-Z at his best. You never normally get albums where they could all be released as singles but this is one you can. It has Izzo on it, which is one of his best songs ever and other great songs like Girls, Girls, Girls and Renegade. A must buy!
Immense October 19, 2001
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
jay-z is going to clean up with the blueprint. Why?brThe combination of lyrically tight vocals dropped onto awesome backing tricks, complemented with originality. brEasy Money.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 31
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