Kevin|Nottingham: This Is Hip Hop » American Gangster: Review

I have to admit, I was a little more than skeptical as to whether I would like the latest album from Jay-Z; American Gangster, a concept album inspired by the movie of the same name. Just a year ago, Jay-Z released his comeback album, Kingdom Come. To me, that was one of his worst albums to date. Aside from a few songs, that album was trash. Next I see the production lineup for American Gangster and this album has Diddy all over it! This made me even more skeptical. The last time we heard Jay on a Puffy track was back on In My Lifetime, Vol 1, which to me has always been my least favorite Jay-Z album (with the exception of “A Million & One Questions” & “Imaginary Player” — two of my favorite Jay tracks). So let’s just say going in, I didn’t know what to expect.

Like most people, my favorite albums from Jay-Z include Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and The Black Album. Jay’s got other great songs from other albums, but those three albums there are classics to me. When word started spreading about American Gangster, Jay said he was going back to the Reasonable Doubt days. My interest immediately peaked. So I gave American Gangster a listen. The first listen did not grab me. Initially my thoughts were that Jay was trying to hard. I heard elements of Reasonable Doubt along with elements of The Blueprint, but my skeptics were throwing me off. Throughout the whole first listen, my mind kept racing… Kingdom Come…. Puffy…. Kingdom Come… Puffy. Then I got it. I cleared my head and played it again the next day. Only this time I was able to get in the groove. Throwing previous doubts and misconceptions aside, I gave American Gangster a real listen and found myself wanting more. I couldn’t stop listening to it and actually left the album on repeat for the entire day. I finally got it. Jay did it again. Was he able to go back to 1996 and recreate Reasonable Doubt? No, he made something new. He was, however, able to recreate the strongest parts of my three favorite Jay-Z albums. American Gangster has the lyricism of Reasonable Doubt, the production quality of The Black Album, and the soulfulness of The Blueprint. In all honesty, Jay could have named his new album The Reasonable Blueprint Album.

Ok, so about the album… once I got it, I realized Jay was going for a more soulful album, even more soulful than The Blueprint. It’s quite possible, to me, that Jay found himself inspired also my Common’s recent release, Finding Forever, which makes me wonder why Jay didn’t enlist Kanye West for a few tracks. In all actuality, I’m sure Jay was smarter than that and didn’t want American Gangster to be compared with Finding Forever or even his own Blueprint. Two tracks that obviously don’t fit this formula are the two produced by The Neptunes, “Blue Magic” and “I Wonder”. I seriously think Jay must have sold his soul to Pharrell sometime a few years back. That’s the only explanation I can come up with. I would have liked to see a bigger variety of production credits on the album. Diddy’s production team gave Jay some hot tracks, but six is a little overkill. This album would have definitely benefited by having a beat or two from Kanye West, 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, or J. Dilla. Jay on a Dilla track would be real nice.

Aside from the production of the album, Jay-Z’s flow is a little all over the place. There are moments where he shines and there are moments where he just falls flat. My ear listens mostly to the beat and more in tune to the production behind a track, so I’ll let you decide whether you’re feeling Jay’s skills or not.

I’ve heard a lot of people hatin’ on this album because it’s not another Reasonable Doubt. People, that album was made 11 years ago!! Read this article over at Hip-Hop Is Read. Dude makes some very valid points. Point being, American Gangster is better than 90% of the albums that were released this year in 2007. Enjoy the album and quit living in the past. American Gangster is in stores this Tuesday, November 6th. Make sure to cop it!

Well, enough with my rants. Let’s get on with my track by track review…

“Intro” - produced by Chris Flame, co-produced by Idris “Driis” Elba (8/10) - “Ok, I’m reloaded!!” This is not your normal Jay-Z album introduction. Yeah it would have been nice to hear Pain in da Ass, but this is Jay’s homage to American Gangster the movie. This intro literally sounds like a trailer for the movie. Not my favorite Jay-Z intro, but it sets the stage and prepares you for what you are about to hear.
“Pray” - produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C (8/10) - Is it just me or does the production on this song sound similar to the commercial to Diddy’s newest perfume? All jokes aside, this is a solid song and a great start to the album. Beyonce is featured throughout in a speaking role and Jay’s lyrics are definitely on point.
“American Dreamin’” - produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C, co-produced by Mario Winans (10/10) - The Marvin Gaye sampled makes this track sing! Hearing the sample actually gives me chills and Jay’s flow gives it justice. I’m glad Jay found a place for this track on the album. It is one of my favorites!
“Hello Brooklyn 2.0 (feat Lil’ Wayne)” - produced by Bigg D (5/10) - Ok, I’m a little torn by this track. When I first heard it, my face scrunched up and I wondered why the hell this was on the album. Coming off of “American Dreamin’” this track just doesn’t quite fit. That’s not saying that this is a bad song. After repeated listens, the track is growing on me; however, I think Jay threw this on for publicity. Yes, we’ve all been wanting to hear Jay & Weezy on a track, but not on this album and definitely not on a track called “Hello Brooklyn”. WTF was Jay thinking?!?! Do Brooklyn a favor and put Talib Kweli or Jean Grae on the track! This is a track that could have easily been replaced by “Dead Presidents III”, which is sadly no where to be found on this album.
“No Hook” - produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C (9/10) - This track is all Jay. No hook and no overbearing sample to take away from what Jay has to say. Very powerful lyrics; Jay dug deep here.
“Roc Boys (And The Winner Is…)” - produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C (10/10) - This is the second single for the album and it should have been the first. Initially this track seemed like it came out of left field, but the horn samples grabbed me and took me in. Very surprised to see that this is a Diddy production; sounds like something Just Blaze would sample. If you listen carefully, you can hear Kanye West in the background (”We in the house”). Can’t wait to see the video; I hear it’s gonna be hot!
“Sweet” - produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C (9/10) - So far I’m pretty impressed overall with Diddy’s production on this album. He stuck with the theme, but didn’t allow each song to sound too much alike. This one isn’t a stand out track, but it’s got a great groove.
“I Know” - produced by The Neptunes (8/10) - Ok, like I said before, I don’t think The Neptunes belong on this album, but this isn’t a bad song. Typical Neptunes beat… think “Change Clothes” from The Black Album.
“Party Life” - produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C (10/10) - This is my favorite track on the whole album!! Jay’s flow is a little different and can be irritating about halfway through so I can see why some people would skip this track. But to me, it’s the sample that makes this song! It’s the only reason I’m giving this track a 10. Just let the track play… let it breathe. Jay, shut the fuck up!
“Ignorant Shit (feat Beanie Sigel)” - produced by Just Blaze (10/10) - For those of you that don’t know, this is a leftover track from The Black Album. I am so glad it found it’s way on American Gangster. A lot of people have sampled “Between The Sheets”, but not in the way Just Blaze did. He really flipped the track. The original didn’t have Beanie Sigel on it. Nice to hear Sigel on the track, but his verse is so short it doesn’t really add anything to it.
“Say Hello” - produced by DJ Toomp (10/10) - When I heard DJ Toomp was gonna do a track for Jay-Z, I couldn’t wait to hear the result. For those that don’t know, DJ Toomp has produced hits for southern rappers, T.I., Ludacris, and Rick Ross. If this track sounds familiar it’s because the sample was used in “U Can Believe It” by Playaz Circle featuring Ludacris. I think DJ Toomp made a better track with this one.
“Success (feat Nas)” - produced by No I.D., co-produced by Jermaine Dupri (9/10) - I was expecting something a little more soulful from producer No I.D., who produced the majority of Common’s second and third album. But this track is tight; it’s hard. Good to hear Jay and Nas collaborate on another joint.
“Fallin’” - produced by Jermaine Dupri, co-produced by No I.D. (10/10) - This is more what I was expecting from No I.D., although the main producer is credited to Jermaine Dupri (for some reason I don’t buy it). Like “American Dreamin’” and “Party Life”, the sample makes this track stand out. Don’t get me wrong, Jay brings the heat on this one. His flow shines here; he was definitely inspired.
“Blue Magic” - produced by The Neptunes (8/10) - Man, I’m torn again. No this song does not belong on the album and it definitely should not have been the lead single. When I first heard it last month, I cringed. However, the more I listen to it, I’m really feeling Jay’s flow. The beat is nice and simple, but Pharrell ruins it by singing that En Vogue hook. Overall it’s Jay’s Rakim-like flow that makes this track shine.
“American Gangster” - produced by Just Blaze (9/10) - You can’t go wrong with a Just Blaze track! I don’t know why this is listed as a bonus track. Maybe Jay didn’t want to end the album with “Blue Magic”? That’s probably it, cuz this track is solid. Jay-Z and Just Blaze make great music. He also seems inspired and really brings it when Just is behind the boards. This is a good ending to a good, solid album.