The Blueprint 3

Jay-Z has released the Blueprint 3, which I am convinced is the REAL return since the Black Album. Yeah, 'Kingdom Come' had some shit on there that was pretty terrific, but also huge pitfalls, and 'American Gangster' was as good a foray into a movie soundtrack/concept album, but this is the real deal.

I've heard a lot of criticism about this album so far, a lot of people do not like the direction that Kanye West's production has taken since his own "808's & Heartsbreaks," which I chalk up to a matter of taste. Some good criticism has been directed to some awkward guest choruses on the second half of the album, and although I feel a bit blasphemous for saying this, Timbaland completely dropped the ball on his tracks. The second half of the album is less cohesive, and that makes it a heard sell for perfect. But with all that said, this is a very solid album (and since I have come to like Kanye's new style, I could go as far as saying 'Great' album).

What I haven't heard talked about is Jay-Z's thematic change. With 10 multi-platinum albums under his belt, and pushing 40 years, Jay-Z has done something that no other rapper has been allowed to do in the public sphere: Grow up. Most rappers consider it a gift to be given until they are 30 years old before falling out of favor with their mainstream audience. Jay has not only weathered that storm, but continues to innovate in his lyrical style and flow, which has kept him creatively relevant, but now he proves that he can also be completely socially relevant and mine the experience of being a mainstream rapper for the benefit of his listening audience.

To quote Jay-Z, "I'm talking about life and all I hear is "Oh yeah, keep talkin' about crack!"

'What We Talking 'Bout' has been seen by many reviewer's as Jay-Z rehashing his past and dealing with issues like his split from Dame Dash and Jaz-O, but few have commented on the general overview of the song, summed up in the the lines,

"Ain't nothing cool about carrying a strap, about worrying your moms or burying your best cat. Talking about revenge when you're carrying his casket, all teary eyed, about to take it to the mattress."

Jay-Z is taking a stand against the messages rappers are sending to their community throughout this album. He's challenging the community of artists to stop making light of violence, to stop following trends, to stop buying into materialistic portrayals of Black men in America (which is not to be blamed on rappers), and to act like adults. (To be blunt these are messages directed toward rappers, which is better than directing them at the consumer, because he realizes that there is a chain of command). He says, "Look, Cristal: Racist. Rims: Flashy. Etc. Etc."

No, Jay-Z is not the first 'conscious-rapper,' and not even of this generation. You've got great examples like Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, etc. But what Jay-Z has is the experience and transformation. His message becomes more meaningful because he has been playing the other side of the equation. You're school teacher is always going to tell you "Don't do drugs." But the effect is much greater when the ex-drug-dealer is telling you "Don't do drugs."

One of the stand out moments on the album is when Jay-Z addresses the urban adage of "You either rap, play ball, or slang crack." To paraphrase, he says that by rappers spreading this idea they are just perpetuating the trend of young kids thinking these are their only options.

Jay-Z's Blueprint III is "Talking about about music, not about rap." But more than that is focuses on a viewpoint that until now has been yet to be heard in the mainstream; reformed gangster rap.

One last note. For all of the positive messages Jay-Z is spreading around he still is slipping up on when it comes to images of women in the Black community and women in general. Hopefully on the next round of positivity and revision Beyonce will say, "DO you think our daughter would want to hear that? Do you think any woman would want to hear that?" But, like I said, it's a big step in the right direction, and it's already looking like it might crush the autotune, so that's a good sign.

THE EVOLUTION OF JAY Z: 15 Years ago


TODAY: (Empire State of Mind ft Alicia Keys)
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