![]() To give credit where it’s due though, the success of this track is at least as much to do with the cameos not to mention a hype re- working of the original by Dre with a definite James Bond flair. The past present nigga the future, proper Know the shit I DON’T write be the illest shit that’s ever been recited in the game word to the hyphen in my NAME! Niggaz that got life really like what I singĬause they know is he really like, niggaz feel my pain It’s only right I got the right to be king “I blew breath for you midgets, I gave life to the game Dre featuring Truth Hurts and Rakim, Hova suddenly switches up from his trademark flow to the kind of rapid fire spit he hasn’t hit since “The Originators”: Not satisfied with just being known as the new King of New York, Jay-Z plays with his breath control, flow and his timing to surprise the listeners with his ability to paint in entirely new ways over the very same canvas. What’s surprising about “The Blueprint 2” is that the one thing Jigga has innovated is his FLOWS. It’s well known Jay-Z can spit a variety of topics, from the streets to his personal life to music that’s designed to make you straight up bounce and party. With a splash of Monster Kody, shoot faster than Kobe, niggaīig homey from the Roc, I think you pastors lonely It’s like a old negro spiritual, but I mastered Tobey ![]() They try to take me out the game, but I’s alive I’m back, stronger than ever, surprise surprise I bob and weave, move my feet from side to side ‘Fore they get to rappin, start believin it “I guess I’m what niggaz wanna be and shit On the excellent Kanye West produced song “Some People Hate,” Jay-Z gets into exactly the things that frustrate him the most about being a successful rapper: Of course, it wouldn’t be like Shawn Carter to release an album and not talk about his foes and detractors. I swear, I only make good from my mouth to God’s earsīut I was born in the city where the skinny niggaz dieīorn in the city where the skinny niggaz ride And as a skinny nigga I had beef with high size” I was out there sellin hope for despair, but stop there I had work, fiends purchased, it was clear How so, how Jay get up out that, here, yeah ![]() Jay-Z is out to prove that myth wrong though, as he starts out with some fire hot material on the autobiographical opening track of disc two “Diamond is Forever”: Rap artists who release two disc albums often seem to display all the fire on the first disc, where the second seems to be the afterthoughts or the B-sides. It’s worth nothing that everything discussed to this point has been on the first disc of “The Gift & the Curse,” which really isn’t that surprising. Down to ride ’til the very end, it’s me and my boyfriend” “ All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend Foxy Brown may not be happy about being replaced on this new sequel by Beyone Knowles though: ![]() lifted from “Juicy” in his double album’s opening song “A Dream.” If that wasn’t enough though, the lead single “’03 Bonnie & Clyde” draws directly from Shakur’s Makaveli release “Me and My Girlfriend” for both it’s beat and chorus. First, there’s his inclusion of a verse by B.I.G. It’s already established that he is drawing parallels between Biggie and ‘Pac by putting out a double album, but he goes a little bit BEYOND that. Jigga is playing with metaphorical fire on this one though. It’s like you tryin to make “The Blueprint 2″ before Hov'” Not surprisingly he’s even willing to address that perplexing conundrum on “The Bounce”: Despite having possibly the WORST release date for an album in all of rap history (September 11th, 2001) Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint” went on to be a smash hit. There’s really no reason he shouldn’t be. Seven straight summers, critics might not admit itīut nobody in rap did it, quite like I did it” Only two restin in heaven can be mentioned in the same breath as him When I unwrap “The Gift & the Curse” in one session How they propose to deal with my perfect present? Look behind you, I’m bout to pass you twiceīack to the future and gotta slow up for the present “I’m so far ahead of my time, I’m bout to start another life If “Hovi Baby” is any indication, Jigga Jay-Z is feeling just that cocky: Usually a double album comes out at a time when they are supremely confidant in their ability to sell to a large fanbase, even if it’s at least possible that by putting out such a large release with so many tracks some of them just won’t be up to par. More than that, it signals a shift in career for the rappers or rap groups who make one. Notorious B.I.G.’s last album was the double disc “Life After Death.” Tupac Shakur’s last album not released posthumously was the double disc “All Eyez On Me.” It’s probably a coincidence, but it’s still an ominous one. Double-disc albums seem to be the death knell for rappers.
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