Jay-Z 'American Gangster'

By BRETT JOHNSON, For The Associated Press

Jay-Z, "American Gangster" (Def Jam)

Jay-Z is the first to admit that his retirement from rap was entirely too premature: Like the self-proclaimed Mike Jordan of rap once famously said, "I can't leave rap alone/ the game needs me."

After claiming that he'd release no more albums, last year's "Kingdom Come" CD was Jay-Z's first comeback attempt. However, just like Jordan's return to the NBA after his first hiatus, Jay's return only partly lived up to expectations. Although the disc scored his best opening week sales until that point, it was roundly received as a relative letdown, with too many soft-edged rhymes about his cushy, celebrity lifestyle.

"American Gangster," his tenth studio album, represents Jay's comeback from that comeback — his chance to reassert himself as hip-hop's pre-eminent wordsmith and hustler-gone-legal chronicler. This time, he unquestionably delivers the goods — showcasing deft metaphors about his own ghetto ascension and an uncanny ear for dramatic sonic backdrops.

Jay claims he was inspired by the Ridley Scott-directed film of the same name about '70s-era Harlem drug mogul Frank Lucas. Though not a soundtrack to the biopic, the disc still has a cinematic quality. The beats, most notably the six tracks produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs and his Hitmen beatmaking team, capture a range of moods that few rap albums nail. Stately horns punctuate "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is ... )" while "Sweet" features a smoothed-out blaxploitation vibe.

And built on a mournful Marvin Gaye sample and sweeping strings, "American Dreamin'" chronicles thoughts of attending college that give way to profiting from dealing drugs. Jay rhymes: "Mama forgive me, should be thinkin' bout Harvard/ But that's too far away, n----s are starving/ Ain't nothin' wrong with aim, just gotta change the target/ I got dreams of baggin' snidd-ow the size of pillows."

Then later, with the aid of the tumbling congas and bright, electro-synths of the Neptunes-produced "I Know," Jay unfolds a tale of addiction where his own music could be the choice drug. "I am so dope/ Like Louboutins with the red bottoms /You gotta have 'em, you glad you got 'em."

Indeed, Jay's allure even has an affect on his rap star peers. Recent rival Lil Wayne contributes some tight-jawed rhymes and sing-songy vocals on "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" which uses a screeching Beastie Boys vocal sample and some thumping 808 drum kicks. And to dazzling effect, Jay partners with former nemesis Nas over the rugged, organ-driven beat of "Success." Cocky as ever, Jay puffs out his chest: "I got watches I ain't seen in months/ Apartment at the Trump I only slept in once/ N----s said Hova was over, such dummies/ Even if I fell, I'd land on a bunch of money."

"American Gangster" is proof that Jay-Z hasn't lost his gift of making some of the most undeniably inventive and assured hip-hop music, or as on "Roc Boys" he sums up: "This is black superhero music." Bold words, but it's hard to argue with someone who's comeback twice and remains the genre's most exciting voice.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: "Ignorant (Expletive)" with Beanie Sigel features a bumping bass line, Isley Brothers sample and Jay defending rap by taking aim at Don Imus and flashing "celebutantes."


Rating 4/5

Kanye West - Graduation

Reviewed by Akuma

Kanye West, Graduation (Def Jam, 2007)
So it’s finally come to this. On 9/11 Fisty Cent and Kanyezee will hijack the hip-hop landscape, launching their respective musical airplanes into the Twin Towers of your cultural consciousness. May the battle of the musical terrorists commence! Let’s just pray Kanye wins so Fisty has to follow through on his promise to stop releasing albums. I do hope this also covers Tony Yayo.

http://www.myspace.com/kanyewest

GOOD MORNING

A relatively strong opening for Mr Tight Jacket 2007, all punchy clipped drums and insistent vocal delivery. Clearly Mr West has been listening to gay Italian disco, as there’s plenty of weird synth noises bouncing about.

CHAMPION

Kanye’s vocal delivery is stronger than ever, and the Steely Dan sample is tight. But not perhaps as tight as Kanye’s jeans.

STRONGER

Daft Punk’s original didn’t need bettering, and this isn’t the track to do it.

I WONDER

The world’s first case of a rapper metamorphosizing into a white pop-rock group between albums.

GOOD LIFE featuring T Pain

This dirge brings to mind We Don’t Care from his debut album. T-Pain does his vocoder thing.

CAN’T TELL ME NOTHING

If Kanye’s such a hot-shot producer then why does he need DJ Toomp to produce his single?

BARRY BONDS featuring Lil’ Wayne

Hip-Hop Gay Pride 2007. Weezy asks you to ‘suck my back bitch’. Is that like tossing salad?

DRUNK & HOT GIRLS featuring Mos Def

An original take on 6/8 time, with some seriously filthy bass. Very European-sounding (as is much of the album), which is unsurprising as the track samples Can. Seems Mr West is developing a habit of exclusively sampling Caucasian people these days. Somebody stop the hate!

FLASHING LIGHTS featuring Dwele

A masterstroke from West (nullus), both original and instantly catchy. More worryingly though is the following lyric: ‘I hate these niggaz more than the Nazis’. It seems my theory about Kanye’s twisted race (self) hatred could have credence.

EVERYTHING I AM

Who knows what this is all about, but it’s pleasant enough. DJ Premier provides scratches which (unusually) add little to the track.

THE GLORY

Sounds like a leftover from his sophomore joint. It seems that he’s now employed a better ghost-writer than Rhymefest

HOMECOMING featuring Chris Martin

This is the track Home from his early mixtapes but with a new and crappier beat. The dude from Coldplay features much to my total despair.

BIG BROTHER

Kanye’s love song to Hov. I won’t spoil the surprise but there is some mild controversy. Oh ok, I will spoil it. Kanye is upset because Jigga didn’t recognise that he’s the greatest ever. Poor little Kanye.

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Overall 4/5
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