The Emperor Strikes Back. Jay-z drops Blueprint 3

"...We're not in the same bracket; not in the same league, don't shoot at the same baskets"

This is a line from a track on the Blueprint 3 called "Already home". It has Kid Cudi and its one of my Favorite songs on the album. I know some of you are saying: "Jay-z drops blueprint? Its not out until Sept 11th". No I'm not one of Jay-z's homies nor do I work at a music store. No, the truth is the Blueprint 3 came out quietly on Tuesday in CD form like the olden days. Not only have I heard the album but I bought it from target as soon as I discovered it was out. It will be out everywhere digitally September 11th, but I believe Rhapsody has been selling it for sometime now. Why would Jay-Z do this? doesn't he want to make money?

The truth is I have no idea why he would release an album ahead of time without telling anyone. Maybe the fame has finally gone to his head and he thinks he can sell albums without even mentioning that its out. He must truly believe that he has such die hard fans that they'll support him even when hes not asking them to. Honestly; Hov is probably right. He might have a classic on his hands.

Jay-Z has been around almost 20 years now. Dude is turning 40 in December; one should assume that he may know a thing or to about making songs by now. Upon hearing this album if you are a fan of Jay-z or a hip hop lover in general its the correct assumption to make. I don't think it's his best album; I haven't even decided if its in the top 3 or 5 yet, but due to Jay-Z's planning and timing. This is the best hip hop album of 2009. As Nas mentioned some years ago, hip hop is dead.

Hip hop has been crap, crap, crap, Lil Wayne, crap, crap, Kanye, annnnd crap. Don't get me wrong I have people that I listen to (Lupe is one of my favorites. Very underrated) but Jay-z has timed the release of this album to where when you hear it you might think its the best hip hop album ever made. This would be a lie but that's just how clean the production is and how sharp Jay-Z's rhymes have become. Jay-z does have better albums but I would say the only reason why the others are better is because the content was different when he was more hungry. His rap style and flow have improved by leaps and bounds however and he has this down to a science now.

He continues the momentum from American Gangster and he is coming at people hard. He openly disses nay sayers throughout the album without really naming anyone (cough cough Game), but he's killing them. I don't think anyone should really respond to some of the jabs he is throwing; if he directly aims at someone its going to be ugly. These rappers really aren't in the same bracket. Normally when a rapper says that its just hype, but in Jay-z's case its 100% true. It is rare when a rapper is consistent and relevant to rap for this long and most have not made as much money. Lil wayne is poised to take the crown next,  but he is going to have to wait until Jay-z is done. Once Hov is done however, Wayne will have to battle with Kanye. The Blueprint 3 is exactly what you would expect from Jay-z and his Blueprint series. If you're a fan of his or hip hop in general you won't be disappointed.

Highlights= venus vs mars: a seductive club banger waiting to happen, Already Home: a clean Kanye beat jayz gets off as usual, Empire State of Mind: an ode to New York. This song makes me want to go there NOW