Jay-Z – American Gangster Review

RATING:

 

The most talked about album in 07 is Jay-Z’s American Gangster. What you thought we weren’t going to give our own 2 cents on the project? FUGGETABOUTIT

“Intro”

Really sets off the album right with that movie snippet from American Gangster. It sets the mood for the roller coaster you are about to ride. Lets see where Hova takes us on this ride.

“Pray”

The production on this is not really what I am used to, though it serves its purpose. I could have done without the girl talking on the song. Jay-Z really paints a picture though with the lyrics he lays down. Overall a video would really enhance the song, if you could see what he is talking about it would really take this to another level.

“American Dreamin”

Again this beat is not really what I like. This almost sounds like Pray part II, the content is the same to me, the speed is pretty slow. It’s the same old hustle story as prayer was. Overall I’m not really into this song.

“Hello Brooklyn 2.0″

WTF is Lil Wayne doing on Brookyln 2.0??? The hell does he have to do with Brooklyn let me know someone please! This song doesn’t really fit into the album in my view, if anything it should have been after praying since it would state where he starts hustling. Over all the song makes no sense to me Lil Wayne what does he have to do with Brooklyn???

“No Hook”

Okay now we are getting somewhere this song really sets it off for me. It gives a view of where he is coming from and why he is a product of his environment. Having no hook on the song really makes it different and refreshing in a chorus driven music business.

this is not for commercial usage
please don’t categorize this is music
please don’t compare me to other rappers
compare me to trappers i’m more Frank Lucas than Ludacris
and Luda’s my dude i ain’t trying to diss
like Frank Lucas is cool but i ain’t trying to snitch

Overall this song is crazy I am most def feeling this one.

“Roc Boys [And The Winner Is]“

This shit is hot the horns are screaming emotion and celebration. The video is even crazier, the visuals really enhance the song on many different levels. Overall I’m feeling this back to back hot joints, Hova is most def doing hes thing.

“Sweet”

I cannot stand this beat its too awkward. The tempo is slow the subject matter seems deep and I think the beat did not do it justice. The hook was horrible also,

its its its my life.

No I am not feeling this, overall this is most def a skipper.

“I Know”

This sounds like a single, the hook is catchy. Skateboard P always blesses Jay-Z with some hot material. The song is about a relationship, the relationship is drug abuse though. You might not understand it at first but after a few listens you should get it. This reminds me of Baltimore Love Thing by 50 Cent. A hot concept record, Skateboard P and Hovito’s chemistry definitely shines on this one.

“Party Life”

This beat is crazy just sets the mood off to have dinner with the wifey under the stars. He’s second verse is about Beyonce, most def feeling this joint.

She’s my little quarterback ya dig

Overall this song is def crazy the album is picking up.

“Ignorant Shit”

This is an old joint most of you might not know that. This song leaked a long time ago he added a third verse to the song though. The beat is okay to me not really crazy about it, but the verses on this are insane! Beanie Sigel’s verse seemed out of place to me could have done without it. Overall this song is hot def adds to the album.

“Say Hello”

My favorite joint on the whole album, this song will make you want to get out and get money. The verses are insane, this might be a classic song right up there with Dead Presidents II. Nothing much I can say about this but that its great! If you listen to at least one song off this album let this one be it.

“Success”

Another sample starts the song off on this one. Success = hatred and Jigga seems to be letting out all hes anger on the haters on this one. This is def one of the hotter joints on the album. Nas comes in crazy even though I think his verse could have been a lot better on some black republican shit. Overall another sick ass song off the album.

“Fallin”

The perfect way to end the album with the fall of the bad guy. This songs concept is def original, the sample that flutters the beat is crazy! The lyrics are on point and stand out like crazy. Overall this is the perfect album ender to bring the whole album together.

*Bonus Songs

“Blue Magic”

The video is okay nothing out of the ordinary. The songs basic beat is refreshing to hear, Skateboard P does his thing once again. The lyrics and flow are crazy, very 80’sh. Overall this song belonged in the storyline it would have fit between “No Hook” and “Roc Boys” perfectly.

“American Gangster”

Another bonus cut on the album. He could have fit this in the album the beat is very 70’s and the flow is bananas. The subject matter is the same but the mood the song sets is so powerful. Overall would of liked to see this fit in the albums flow.