Categories: Archives

Jay-Z leaves a disappointing ‘Blueprint’ for latest album

Jay-Z

The Blueprint 3

Roc Nation

Rocks like: The styles of every collaborating artist, with… Jay-Z

The Blueprint 3

Roc Nation

Rocks like: The styles of every collaborating artist, with no Jay-Z

Grade: C+

“Run This Town?” … not anymore. Yes, I said it, and sadly, this album proves it.

Jay-Z, successful entrepreneur, mogul and emcee, just dropped his eleventh studio album, Blueprint 3. Despite its title, the album sounds distinctly different from other Blueprint albums, which included classic tracks like “Izzo (H.O.V.A),” “Song Cry,” “Bonnie & Clyde” and “Excuse Me Miss.”

Luke Steele, Rihanna, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Young Jeezy, Swiss Beatz, Drake, J. Cole, Kid Cudi, Pharrell and Mr. Hudson all make appearances on this pop-rap album. In fact, there are only three solo tracks on the entire album, which is extremely disappointing.

Blueprint 3 is actually a mild cop-out. Although there are moments of lyrical genius, the rest of the album uses his celebrity and his wife Beyoncé as a steel crutch. What happened to the lyrical genius that didn’t buy into the pop-rap phenomenon?

Not to say that the album isn’t enjoyable. Who doesn’t like to listen to “Forever Young,” “Empire State of Mind” or “Run This Town?” But it leaves listeners and fans nostalgic for the old Jay-Z. Guess we’ll just have to wait for The Blueprint 4.

Pitt News Staff

Share
Published by
Pitt News Staff

Recent Posts

Students gear up, get excited for Thanksgiving break plans 

From hosting a “kiki” to relaxing in rural Indiana, students share a wide scope of…

3 hours ago

Photos: Pitt Women’s Basketball v. Delaware State

Pitt women’s basketball defeats Delaware State 80-45 in the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday, Nov.…

3 hours ago

Opinion | Democrats should be concerned with shifts in blue strongholds

Recent election results in such states have raised eyebrows nationwide, suggesting a deeper shift in…

12 hours ago

Editorial | Trump’s cabinet picks could not be worse

Over the past week, President-elect Donald Trump began announcing his nominations for Cabinet secretaries —…

12 hours ago

What Trump’s win means for the future of reproductive rights 

Pitt professors give their opinions on what future reproductive health care will look like for…

14 hours ago

Police blotter: Nov. 8 – Nov. 20

Pitt police reported one warrant arrest for indecent exposure at Forbes and Bouquet, the theft…

14 hours ago