Hype builds for Blueprint 3

Hip-hop rapper, businessman and mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter recently released the third edition to The Blueprint collection, The Blueprint 3. A collection including popular singles “Izzo (H.O.V.A),” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “03 Bonnie and Clyde” and “Excuse Me Miss.”

Carter retired from the rap game leaving fans with The Black Album, a creative album with lyrics reminding fans of his departure from rapping. Three years later it was clear that Carter still had much more to say through rapping and returned with a new CD, Kingdom Come followed by American Gangster.

Both CDs left fans either falling in love or questioning whether Carter still had the ability to move his fans like his previous albums. Fans waited to see if Carter would finalize his retirement with American Gangster or defeat all the odds against him with another classic.

When rumors of The Blueprint 3 spread on popular online social networks, the anticipation built leading to higher expectations for Carter. He made it clear that this album was nothing less than magnificent when launching his first single “D.O.A (Death of Autotune).”

When “D.O.A” played over airways people questioned whether it was just a random track or was the rumor of The Blueprint 3 true. The single seemed like an attack on popular recording artists who had been using the vocal tool autotune, causing chaos in the music industry. He wasted no time in completing a video for the single and saying, “yes, I’m back.”
“D.O.A” was followed by “Run This Town” featuring Rihanna and Kanye West, another great single followed by a video that made fans hungrier for the completed project. The buzz surrounding The Blueprint 3 grew even more after hearing both singles.

The album unfortunately leaked leading to the album release date being pushed up a couple of days. The leak didn’t disturb fans much, devoted fans waited until the official release date before creating judgment for the album.

The Blueprint 3 doesn’t take too much away from who Carter is, it just a mature Carter shedding light on his reality. Songs such as “So Ambitious” are motivational, still letting fans know how much love he has for his work.

His love for his home, New York, is extremely evident especially with “Empire State of Mind.” The song soon became a theme song for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
The Blueprint 3 presents a diverse sound, with a variety of talented artists and genius producers. The CD features artists Pharrell, Alicia Keys, Young Jeezy, J. Cole, Beyonce, Rihanna, Kanye West, Drake, Kid Cudi, Luke Steele, Mr. Hudson and Swizz Beats.

Sophomore Edith Atakpa is not in favor of The Blueprint 3. “I just don’t think that he (Jay-Z) is being true to who he is as an artist. The Blueprint is the old Jay-Z and if he decided to change his image and become artsy then he should of changed the name of the album. Instead he is not acting like he is continuing what he started with the Blueprint saga. It’s like he is trying to deceive me but I’m not buying it just because he used a name of an album of the old him.” Atakpa added, “I didn’t expect anything really, the hype killed it for me.”

Sophomore Irene Jacobs, is in love with The Blueprint 3. Jacobs said, “At a time where southern rappers are taking over the scene with catchy hooks and matching dances, The Blue Print 3 is a breath of fresh air with real instruments, quality lyrics and I feel like there was a different type of energy put into this album, something new, original and Jay rapped like he was hungry. He’s proved that he still has that fire in him he conveys and undeniable passion toward his craft.”

The Blueprint 3 is an album celebrating the success and love that Jay-Z achieved. His everlasting love for his city remains, but matched with his mogul lifestyle. It isn’t the same man striving for success, but it is still the same man, an artist true to who he is.