bdog08's Full Review: American Gangster [PA] by Jay-Z
Some people find inspiration in folk heroes. Others find it in their favourite Athlete. Some find it in relatives or friends. Jay Z finds it in Frank Lucas, the American Gangster. After releasing the stellar, if somewhat inconsistent Kingdom Come, many questioned whether Jay-Z return from retirement would be short winded. Jay’s heart was there but it just didn’t flow well. It lacked the polished production, the liquid flow, and consistency that one would come to expect from a Jay album. It seemed that his best days where behind him, losing relevancy in an industry known for its short attention span and snap rap anthems.
Jay Z pulled a complete 360, from being Def Jam CEO, back into, Shawn Carter, the aspirating young rapper who released a New York classic debut, Reasonable doubt. Inspired by the blockbuster staring Denzel Washignton and Russel Crowe, Jigga man puts his on take on American Gangster.
1. Intro
2. Pray
3. American Dreamin’
4. Hello Brooklyn 2.0
5. No Hook
6. Roc Boys (And the Winner Is…)
7. Sweet
8. I Know
9. Party Life
10. Ignorant S**t
11. Say Hello
12. Success
13. Fallin’
Bonus:
14. Blue Magic
15. American Gangster
P Diddy and the Hitmen handle a large burden of the production. Puff is bringing it back to the basics without all the bells and whistles, and this is immediately evident on the opening track, Pray. Over minimal yet fitting production, Jay spills a tale of a regular day in his childhood, living in Brooklyn. Jays vivid descriptions and street narratives haven’t been done this smooth since Reasonable doubt.
It is apparent early on that this is a conceptual album. Jay made it quite clear this was no soundtrack but was inspired by the movie. Jay takes us from his initial entry into the criminal underworld with the Marvin Gaye inspired American Dreamin. No Hook continues to display Jays focused lyricism. He rhymes for four minutes straight, flowing effortless over clever wordplay and thoughtful lyricism comparing himself to “Frank Lucas yet [he] aint tryin to snitch.’
The true highlights of the album come in the final segment of the album. Say Hello, Success, and Fallin are some masterful highlights of Jays career. On the former, mad underrated producer drops a triumph beat for jay to rip to pieces explaining why he is who he is. He touches on political, social and personal topics in a way that is much more subliminal yet polished than anything Kingdome Come had. On Success, the ever controversial Nasir Jones drops by to finish off a track full of tight bars backed by No It’s haunting organs. My personal favourite track off the album has to be fallin, where Jay sums up every organized crime movie ever made, by describing the rise and inevitable fall from the life of crime. The imagery on this track is unprecedented as is the atmosphere that spews from all 3 cinematic verses.
The album is like a movie, each track portraying a different part of the story. One may find fault in the somewhat awkward Lil Wayne appearance on Hello Brooklyn, or the underwhelming Sweet, but both tracks hold there own, even if they the quality is not as high as other tracks on the album. Whether it is the metaphoric approach to the creative yet very listenable, I Know, the beautiful sixties soul on the mellow party Life, or the satirical stupidity of ignorant sh*t, the album truly something for everyone.
I almost finished the review without mentioning the two stellar singles, the catchy black magic, and cheerful horn filled Roc Boys. Jay still knows how to have fun, and he ensures the listener will also. This album closes perfectly to the masterful production of Just Blaze on the title track. Jay sums the LP up wonderfully, “this is to the guy who refuses, to give up, I want the sky baby, chuuuch.”
Jay brings it back to the basics on his latest release, coming rejuvenated after the confusion of his last album. There has been a lot of quality albums out this year from Kanye’s Graduation, to Kweli’s Ear Drum, and Chamillionaire’s superior sophomore Ultimate Victory. Yet none of these were able to reach 5 star status. While I am not one to use this rating in abundance, or hand them out so early after release, in this situation it is justifiable. Jay lefty all the distractions behind, forgot about the hit singles and trendy guests, and delivered a album for the hardcore fans. Is this album better than Reasonable doubt. Probably not, but it would be worthy of the true sequel status. American gangster is 2007’s best thus far. Let Brooklyn’s own close it out with a few words…
“They sayin I’m a bad guy, how’s that
Because when my backs up against the wall I react
But I know that you admire that
And you wish you had the balls to fire back.”
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