This is the third installment of Jay-Z’s “Blueprint” albums. The first, which came out in 2001, was a return to his roots and is considered one of his strongest efforts. The second was a crossover attempt, with guest artists taking much of the spotlight away from Jay-Z.
“The Blueprint 3” falls somewhere between the two. Kanye West produced seven tracks. He appears to go for the energy level of the first album, which he produced.
“Thank You” has a horn riff that repeats throughout. Jay-Z makes an attempt at modesty. “Please don’t bow in my presence/ how am I a legend? I just got 10 number one albums, maybe now 11.” Later he disses some other rappers with language that brings in the 9/11 attacks on New York.
On “D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune)” Jay-Z lashes out at the audio processer used to correct singers who sing out of pitch in recording studios and in live performances. “This is anti Auto-Tune, death of the ring tone/ this ain’t for iTunes this ain’t for sing-alongs/ this is Sinatra at the opera bring a blond/ preferably with a fat ass who can sing a song.” It has rock guitar lines trading off with a horn line.
“Empire State of Mind” is a standout track. It has Jay-Z showing the love for his hometown through mentions of many famous sections and places in the Big Apple. “Statue of Liberty, long live the world trade, long live the king yo, I from the Empire State.” Alicia Keys sings the chorus. “Now you’re in New York, these streets will make you feel brand new/ big lights will inspire you.” Her contribution is the icing on the cake.
Keyboards and synthesizers dominate “Real As It Gets.” This song would have been better without Young Jeezy on it.
The music for “On To The Next One,” a collaboration with Swiss Beatz, is rather irritating.
Fox News host Bill O’Reilly has had his share of disputes with rappers. “Off That” finds Jay-Z taking a stab at him. “It’s not black vs. white my #!&&@ we off that/ please tell Bill O’Reilly to fall back/ tell Rush Limbaugh to get off my balls/ its 2010, not 1864.”
“Reminder” is Jay-Z’s message to anyone who may have forgot his impact on music. “Ten number one albums in a row, who better than me?/ only the Beatles, nobody ahead of me/ I crushed Elvis and his blue suede shoes, made the Rolling Stones seem sweet as Kool-Aid too.”
This tune has good production values, with a complex soundscape and female vocals on the chorus.
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