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Jay-Z Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 12/29/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Never bought a Jay-Z album since Reasonable Doubt, got the double album "Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse" as a present this christmas. Executive produced by Jay-Z, Dame Dash, and Kareem Burke. Track production comes from The Neptunes, Kayne West, Guru, Just Blaze, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, No I.D., R. Feemster, Heavy D, Charmalane, Digga. Like the first track "A Dream" Feat. Faith Evans and Notorious B.I.G., has Biggie verses from my all time favourite Biggie Track "Juicy". Next comes "Hovi Baby", the female hook on this track is wack. This is followe by "The Watcher" feat. Dr. Dre, Rakim and Truth Hurts and all I can say is it made me look forward to Rakim's next album "Oh My God". "03 Bonnie & Clyde" is a remake of Pac track, have to say at first I was annoyed with this release, so much Pac biting ("Me and My Girlfriend") , but Jay-Z pays tribute as seen in the video, and Beyonce comes out nice as well. Next comes "Excuse Me Miss" a relaxed track with nice beats. "All Around the World" feat. Latoya Williams, is similar relaxed track where Jay-Z talks to the ladies. A few less than memorable tracks follow then "I did it my Way" comes, a good closer to disc one. Disc Two opens with "Diamond is Forever" a blazing hot track, where Jay spits some nice verses, with phat background beats. "Guns and Roses" feat. Lenny Kravitz brings another feel to the album, never thought I would see these two on the same track, decent track. "U dont Know" (Remix) feat. M.O.P. is a nice banging track from Rocafellas newest additions. Jay-Z drops tragic story on "Meet the Parents". Favourite track is "Some How Some Way" feat. Beanie Sigel and Scarface, sad track, where Jay talks about getting out of the ghetto,losing friends, changing ones ways. "Some People Hate" is a banging track produced by Kayne West where Jay-Z talks about haters and the game. The title track "Blueprint 2" is a memorable one, Jays flow on this one is deadly. Last track "A ballad for the Fallen Soldier" is chilled out track, where Jay-Z talks about life, love this track. The three bonus tracks are alright, though not needed. No "Reasonable Doubt" but a good album, with some real banging tracks, an album you can bump for some time. Recommend it for the collection. 3.5"

Disappointing but....

roccov | 12/20/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"...not as bad as people are making it out to be. Nowhere near as good as his last though."

IF U CANT HONESTLY RELATE TO RAP STOP LISTENIN TO IT

roccov | 11/22/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"i just wanna say i think its funny that all these reviews seem to be from a white audience, claimin stuff like "jay z is the greatest" uhm, by far his ... ISNT the best. the cd is aight, but it aint all that. i mean, if mainstream, overproduced,made in its entirety to target suburban white america rap is what u like..... then ya i can see where ud think this album is THAT tight and Jay z is THAT good a rapper.......... u want real rap go buy reasonable doubt........ not this garbage --- dj 6"