HOV!

Forget all that introductory b/s. I'm coming in guns a' blazing! The Blueprint 3's been leaked this week and after a day's listen I've got to say I dig it. I'll admit that when it comes to anything Jay and/or Kanye, I'm always going to be a little bias because, in short, I think they're the shit. They ran this shit! Honestly who out there is as creative, lyrically potent, and commerical successful as they are? I suppose you could make a case for Wayne but ehh, he's only been on it these past couple of years. He hasn't been going at a high level for as substantial amount of time as Jay. T.I.? psshh I think his lyrics ain't on par with nothin' Jay's ever put out. Very little wit and creativity with his raps. I don't appreciate them. Sorry, I just don't. Now that I've made that clear, back to the album. Though the album is a Jay-z album, I think it's very much Kanye's as well. He's the album's sonic architect. 7 of the 15 tracks were produced by him and if you listen to as much Kanye as I do, esp. his recent stuff, it's pretty easy to recognize which ones 'Ye had a hand in. On "Empire State of Mind", arguably the best track( not to mention Jay and Kanye's favorite track) on the album, it's classic Kanye. The soulful grandiose of chrous really gets under your skin, in the best possible way. Of course "Run This Town" is a G track. Initally Rihanna's part is a little disconcerting but after a few listens, you realize that in conjunction with the beat, it just works. And man does that beat work! They're at the top and this song is their proclaimation. Not to mention their video goes hard. Sorry, no hoes or club scenes here. A couple of other songs I dig so far are "Reminder"(produced by Timbaland, which I think is his hardest track since "Dirt Off Your Shoulder". Who knew dude could still come with it after hanging out with JT for so long?) and "Already Home" feat. Kid Cudi ( is this dude a singer or rapper??). All in all, a pretty good record. But I don't really like to make judgements too quickly on a CD. Only with time can you tell the true colors of an album. If I could, I'd probably go back and review albums a year after they've been released, after the initial react and hype has faded. Also some albums have a slow burn, need time to appreciate. But so far, The BP3 is doin' it for me.