Hip-hop's never seen anything like this before. It's never had the chance to see a legend reflect on his career, taking a step back and offering insight into the madness before the fame, while objectively considering the consequences and chances. But in the world of hip-hop, Jay-Z may be the exception to every rule. No rapper has achieved his success in both the rap world and under world and lived to tell it.
Not truly needing any form of validation, American Gangster is Jay-Z's authoritative stamp on the rap world, his answer to all those who doubted him after 2006's Kingdom Come. Inspired by the 1970's based Ridley Scott film of the same name, Gangster shows Jay-Z at his most mature, most composed, and most vindicated.
Beats play like a victory march; a celebration of all things hustler. It's a journey through the lifestyle, from top to bottom and back again. The closing "American Gangster," Jay's exodus from the game and hustling epilogue, cuts out in exultation (and releases Reasonable Doubt). Sampling the decadent Motown sounds of Frank Lucas' time, Jay captures the lavish lifestyle of a mogul in his heyday with "Sweet" and "Say Hello," both are soulful testimonies of a man above the law, his only enemy being himself.
Jay's raps occasionally rely too heavily on pop culture, with references to Britney Spears and Tony LaRussa firmly dating the record in its modernity. But perhaps that's all that's keeping it from being a timeless classic. Backed by the all-star production lineup of Diddy, Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes, No I.D., and Just Blaze, Jay's given the freedom to do what he does best: boast his greatness. And what greatness he has.
Editorials & Columns Hustle Harder: Travel Arrangements Recently I traveled down to Washington D.C. to participate in an event called the "Million DJ March," and I realized ... full story
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