Drop Knowledge...Not Bombs

A concept album. Defined by many by the band Pink Floyd, in their release in 1973 of "Dark Side of The Moon". Since then, however, the idea of a concept album has fallen from grace in the modern music world. With the release of "American Gangster" by Jay-Z, the idea of a concept album has been given the proverbial "shot in the arm".





After the (relative) crap that was "Kingdom Come", Jay-Z needed a blockbuster, an album like "Blueprint" that would raise the bar for the rap game. He needed a hard-hitting album that saw a return to style, with crisp production and Jay-Z's trademark flow. Any artist that composes lyrics without a pen and a paper is nothing short of amazing, and if you don't believe me, watch the documentary Fade To Black. It'll humble you.





Well, back to the album. Jay has stated that every song fits a certain scene in the film American Gangster, directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. The album does fit with the film, with the gritty nature of Jay's lyrics complementing perfectly the storyline of this crime drama.





Jay-Z has enlisted an all-star cast of The Neptunes, Diddy's Hitmen, DJ Toomp, Kanye West's mentor No I.D., and Just Blaze. Haven't heard the singles yet? Well Blue Magic was the first one released on September 20, 2007 and peaked at 52 on Billboard Hot 100. The second single Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)... was released on October 10, 2007, peaking at 64 on Billboard Hot 100. Check these tracks out, especially Blue Magic, produced by The Neptunes has one of the greatest beats on a Jay-Z album for a while-the rolling drum sounds amazing.

So see the film, and buy the album. Hell, buy 'em both if you want. It does mark a return to form of one of the best rappers in the world. You could get lost in this album, with the slick rhymes and fat rhythms. Posting two of the best tracks-so tell me what you think...and sorry for the delay in posting.

Jay-Z-No Hook

Jay-Z-American Dreamin'