Review: The Blueprint 3

Like any good hip-hop fan, I was highly anticipating the release of Jay-Z's Blueprint 3. Was it going to be his best work? Probably not. But Hova is arguably the greatest rapper out there right now, and I had no doubt that he'd give another solid effort. It's also probably worth mentioning that Jay-Z has something of Brett Favre syndrome going on, aka the inability to retire when he says he's going to retire. Remember, The Black Album was supposed to be his retirement album. That was back in 2003. Six years ago. When I was still in high school. Jay has released three albums since then. So much for getting out of the game. Well, he did also marry Beyonce during that time. Let's be real: you have to respect him for that alone. Okay, Hov, all is forgiven.

Anyway, back to Blueprint 3. Overall, I'd say that it's an excellent album. Not a classic, but it has its moments. The first five tracks are really solid, highlighted by "Run This Town" and "Empire State of Mind." In fact, "Empire State of Mind" is so good that it actually makes me feel like I'm from New York and that I should be reppin' the big city. Let's hear it for New Yooooork!

Anyway, after the opening five songs, Blueprint 3 is exposed as a mortal album. Some of the tracks are pretty good ("Off That" feat. Drake), some of the tracks are not so good ("Venus vs. Mars"), but most of them are so-so. However, the closing song, "Young Forever" feat. Mr Hudson, is one of the best tracks on the entire CD and redeems the relative average-ness of the last stretch of songs on the album.

Actually, I can kind of compare Blueprint 3 to a typical Cal football season: lots of preseason hype, everything starts out really solid, gets you excited and eager for more, stumbles midway through, can't completely recover, turns into an up and down remainder of the season, but manages to finish with a solid bowl win in the last game of the year.

In the end, Blueprint 3 simply reflects who Jay-Z is: a legend, past his prime, but still managing to put out solid work and make people interested in what he does. So yeah, he's basically Brett Favre, just without the constant flip-flopping and Wrangler jeans commercials.

Overall Grade: A-/B+

By the way, here are my top-three Jay-Z albums of all-time. Because I know you care.
1. Reasonable Doubt
2. The Blueprint
3. The Black Album

The Roc is in the building.