JAY-Z RETURNS! "AMERICAN GANGSTER"
Less than a year after Jay-Z’s “comeback” album Kingdom Come, the president of Def Jam has hit the studio to record his first “concept” album. Inspired by the upcoming Denzel Washington / Russell Crowe film with the same title; American Gangster. A Ridley Scott directed film that portrays the life of Frank Lucas, a 1970’s heroin kingpin out of Harlem.
In a recent interview with The New York Times Jay revealed that the film sparked his creative side; leading to nine recorded tracks, in which almost everyone was impelled by specific scenes in the movie. “It was like I was watching the film, and putting it on pause, and giving a back story to the story,” he noted.
After Brian Grazer (the film’s producer) and Scott resisted grabbing Jay-Z for the film’s soundtrack, Jay offered to put out his own album in association with the movie; while Def Jam will take care of the official soundtrack (including songs from the Staple Singers, Bobby Womack and Sam & Dave).
“Watching that film, it brought back all these memories … It took me back to those emotions,” Jay said and while stating that American Gangster will be a return to the gritty, uncensored view of life on the streets.
Throughout the interview Jay was said to be elated about his creative process while repeatedly interrupting himself to mouth lyrics like the following, from a track entitled No Hook…
“Poor me, dad was gone, finally got my dad back/ liver bad, he wouldn’t live long, it snatched my dad back”
And the following from another track…
“This is the genesis of a nemesis/ mother America’s not witnessed since/ the Harlem Renaissance/ birthed black businesses”
Author: Shake OF Hiphopdx.comTHOUGHTS FROM HSH...
Alright people, it is what it is! Basically, Jay Z...uh, I mean JIGGA (which is what he'd rather be called these days!) is the man! Plain and simple, case closed, stick a forck in it, call Reynolds 'cause it's a wrap, the fat lady's singing, etc, etc. And ANY fool that thinks that got something for Jigga (well, other than Nas lol) can have a seat waaaaay in da back of da class. Because the hip-hop game is NOT strong of enough lyrically for him to even take anyone seriously.
KRS said, "Since when have selling the most records indicated that you're the best MC?". And ya know what? He's right! Hey, if the MTV panel can pick 'Lil Wayne as hottest MC (I still ain't over that one lol) I can pick Jigga! Right? Or am I wrong? Ya know, maybe I'm wrong. To hell with the sales and that this cat has outsold most MC's in history, let's look at the body of lyrical work! Reasonable Doubt (My god!! Do I have to say anything else?), The Blueprint (Good Lawd, am I still really explaining this?), The Black Album (CLASSIC, FOOL!!!), and now we come to this... "AMERICAN GANGSTER (WHAT!!!! that's it, I give up yo, I'm gonna faint...*Ba-dump!*).
Jigga is a constant mainstay of "Newness" everytime out the gate. He is the ONLY rapper in history to have a totally different 1st single EVERY TIME OUT! Let's just say, he's about ot do the damn thing again. Hey, ain't no jock-riding here, because my personal favorite lyrical MC of all time is Ra-kim! But facts are facts, and the truth is the truth. And if the truth will set you free, then let 'cho ass outta mental jail and face the facts...Jay Z (aka Jigga) is top dawg until he puts the mic down...or someone else comes along. And all I hear is crickets...'cause ain't no one around yo!
"Aside from Big or Pac, I really ain't trying to hear it from no one else" - JAY Z
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