The Good: Jay-Z "The Blueprint 3"

The Blueprint (2001), pretty good. The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002), not so good. The Blueprint 3 (2009), most played album on my iPod. Whoever said sequels can't make it back to the top of the charts was proved wrong. Jay-Z made a successful comeback with The Blueprint 3 after trying too hard with The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse album, which might i add never made the listings in 2002. There really must have been a curse. After being hyped up with the success of his sixth album release The Blueprint, Jay-Z was anxious and quick to release a sequel, which turned out to be a huge disappointment. By taking some time off, Jay-Z was able to hit it hard and make his way back to the top with The Black Album in 2003 and Kingdom Come in 2006.

The Blueprint 3 is the eleventh studio album by Jay-Z, released in Septemeber 2009. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album charts, selling over 476,000 albums in the first week. Rappers Drake and Kid cudi, and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna made guest appearances on the official tracklist. The song "Empire State of Mind" featuring Alicia Keys was not only the best single on the album but also made over 15 million views on YouTube (click the link to the right to watch the video via YouTube). It's a must see.



The song reflects Jay-Z and Keys's native New York City lives. They performed the song at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards and in Yankee Stadium before game 2 of the 2009 World Series. Jay-Z commented that "I make the Yankee hat more famous than the Yankee game." Agreed!! The song was a major hit that made everyone want to drop what they were doing, throw on some all black and a Yankee hat, and hit the dance floor. This is the song that Jay-Z needed to make his return to the top.



Jay-Z made a thriving return with The Blueprint sequel after taking a few years off. All it took was a little time. I give the album an 8 out of 10 and two thumbs up.