Jay-Z’s American Gangster in stores !

Jay-Z is one of the greatest rappers of all time.

He was so taken with Ridley Scott’s new film, American Gangster, starring Denzel Washington as a drug kingpin, that he’s written an entire album that provides, he said, "the back story to the story."

Early reports have described the album as a throwback to Jay-Z’s stark debut, Reasonable Doubt, which was filled with stories of street life. His last album, Kingdom Come, got mixed reactions from fans.

Separate from the official motion picture soundtrack, this collection of all-new original material is a musical journey and lyrical interpretation of snapshots from the upcoming motion picture American Gangster. The conceptual, full body of genius work from the new album balances the line between pure entertainment and real life.

Jay-Z draws upon past experiences, speaking to the harsh reality of the drug trade still taking place in our nation’s cities. While not glorifying the Frank Lucas story, Jay-Z articulates the lure of a gangster’s life and stands as an example of one who chose to leave those streets behind to go on and become one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time.

After a short intro, The album starts with dramatic Pray where you also can hear the spoken words of Beyonce. It feautures violins and church choirs and sets the tone for what’s coming. The song is semi-autobiographical where he talks about his childhood and what made him a hustler. References to Sinatra, Berry Gordy, Kennedy an be heard here. In the last verse he’ll make a reference to a Kanye West’ song by saying "Everything I’ve Seen Made Me Everything I Am". Second song "American Dreaming" heavily samples from Marvin Gaye, even by using his voice. Lazy as that may be the lyrics are really good where he talks about how he chose fast money over education. "Hello Brooklyn" Pt 2" is unfortunately a miss-step. The minimalistic production is inadequate and Lil Wayne singing the hook is just corny. It simply doesn’t fit in here. "No Hook" is another autobiographical song simular to "Pray" with no hook just verses and a deep laidback sound. He said that hustling was his ticket out of the hood and even if he promised his mom to stay out of trouble he was going to die inside if he didn’t try. Roc Boys (And The Winner is) is the closest to hit potential here, it uses a soul horn sample and would work fine for radio. It’s a celebration to a successful lifestyle. More classic soul/funk on "Sweet". Pharell provides the beats and backround vocals for "I Know", but it does feel a little out of place here but the song is really good.

With "Party Life" we have another decent midtempo backed by a soul singer while on the Beanie Sigel collaboration Ignorant S*it we have a song that samples The Isley Brother’s "Between the Sheets". The Dj Toomp produced "Say Hello" follow the path of soul-funk and is pretty good aswell. Next up is something that most Hip Hop fans don’t wanna miss. Success is another duet between Jay-Z and his former rival Nas, just like on "Black Republican". It was produced by Jermaine Dupri but got to say the beats here suits the song perfectly. The same producer follows up with the jazzy "Fallin" where Bilal sings the hook. It reminds me of some of the songs from Common’s last album, where Bilal also appeared. "Blue Magic" from Pharell was the first single and it one of the best songs with it’s minimalistic production and beats, if you liked the Clipse’s last album you’re gonna love this one. The album closes with the title track which is 70’s soul-funk aswell.

Overall, This album isn’t perfect but it’s the best Jay-Z album released in a long time and it’s obvious he’s trying to drop another album simular to Reasonable Doubt dealing with the issues he knows best. It’s a conceptual album, it got good lyrics and a production that both feels suitable as a score and as an autobiography. The production is quite simular from song to song and it doesn’t have the obvious hit single like most Jay-Z fans are used to. But neither did "Reasonable Doubt" with few big hits or major album sales after it’s release. This album is much diffrent then what most people would expect from one of the most commercially appealing Rap stars, but that also why I like it and admire him for dropping it. American Gangster is the best Jay-Z album in a long time and if he finally decides to call it quit now atleast he’ll do it by the knowledge on retiring on top.