The Blueprint²: The Gift & The Curse is Jay-Z’s seventh studio album released on November 12, 2002. Parts of the album were later reissued as The Blueprint 2.1 in 2003.
This album, like Jay-Z’s previous four, debuted at #1 with over 545,000 units shipped in its first week of sales. The album was criticized for its more pop-oriented sound as well as its plethora of guests, while The Blueprint had been almost devoid of guest appearances.
Though the album has no strict concept in view, the first disc The Gift generally has more upbeat, party tracks, including the hit singles “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” and “Excuse Me Miss.” The Curse has a somewhat darker tone, including fewer guest appearances, disses to Nas, and Jay-Z’s former mentor Jaz-O on “Blueprint 2″ and a dramatic street tale on “Meet the Parents.”
Signed Roc-A-Fella Records producers Kanye West and Just Blaze, as well as longtime collaborators The Neptunes and Timbaland contributed heavily to the album’s production. Other producers include Dr. Dre, Heavy D, and No I.D.
Singles
- “People Talking (Promo Single)”
- Released: March 12, 2002
- “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde”
- Released: October 24, 2002
- “Hovi Baby”
- Released: November 12, 2002
- “Excuse Me Miss”
- Released: February 4, 2003
U.S. Billboard Charts
#1 on Billboard 200
#1 on Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
- The above information was taken from Wikipedia
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I really think if Jay woulda put this out as 1disk (sort of how they did w/the Blueprint 2.1, but with a lil better tracklist) this coulda been considered a lot higher in his discography.
He coulda used the leftover songs as a mixtape or stretched em out as different bonus cuts.
the biggest knock on this album is that there’s too much filler, which I agree with, but the highs are some great tracks from Jay.
Meet The Parents, Poppin Tags, all around the world, the watcher, the bounce, i did it my way, u dont know remix, some people hate, as one, ballad for a fallen soldier, bitches & sisters…that’s 10 good tracks right there off top.
I agree Myk…. this album doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It’s got some really great tracks on hear and just needed to be trimmed down. For me, as a Jay stan, I loved it as a two disc set. There honestly isn’t a single song I skip on here… except for “I Did It My Way.” I might have to break this one out again.