Proceeds from the concert were donated to the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and the Children’s Benefit Fund, created specifically for extra support for families who lost police officers and firefighters in the 9/11 tragedy. Last Friday, the same day of the album release, Jay-Z gave a concert in his native New York at Madison Square Garden. This is not the same Jay-Z and this is not the same Blueprint. He’s been married, switched record labels and expanded his business ventures.

Some critics have said this Blueprint installment pales in comparison to the first, but in my opinion, it is unfair to compare the albums, especially given everything Jay-Z has done since then. I won’t delve into all the tracks, but I will say most of them could turn out to be hits. Club-bangers like “On to the Next One” featuring the hit producer Swizz Beats, and “Off That,” which features up-and-coming singer and rapper Drake, are destined to be successful. Songs like “Death of Auto Tune (D.O.A)” and “Run this Town Tonight,” feature Jay-Z’s two closest comrades Kanye West and Rihanna.įortunately for Jay-Z’s record sales, not all his hits were leaked on to the Internet. The Blueprint 3 tracks are flooding the radio airwaves and are selling like crazy on iTunes already. Taking such a strong stance in support of positive reform to a genre that has been straying away from its roots for years-is the reason Jay-Z is one of the greatest rappers in the game right now. The purpose is to bring awareness to hardships and sacrifices some New Yorkers make.

The song shares Jay-Z’s experiences from his home city, describing the everyday activities-both good and bad. “Empire State of Mind” features strong vocals from the fellow New York artist Alicia Keys. The lead in track addresses the lack of meaning in today’s lyrics and the need to reform the rap genre. The Blueprint 3 opens up with “What We Talkin’ About,” setting the stage for the rest of the album. Released eight years to the day after his sixth studio album The Blueprint, which marked a historic milestone in Jay’s career, The Blueprint 3 will be serving as a lesson for other artists on how to achieve music that is more than just lyric-deep.Įven though this marks the longest turnaround for Jay-Z, the album hasn’t suffered in any way. Sean Carter, better known to the mainstream population as Jay-Z, never ceases to amaze the public or critics with his lyrics and mature musical themes.

It may sound premature and just a little cocky, but the preliminary album sales for HOVA’s new album The Blueprint 3 support this speculation. “Please don’t bow in my presence/ how am I a legend?/ I just have 10 number one albums, maybe now 11.”

Jay z the blueprint 3 tracks