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Review: JAY-Z, The Blueprint 3

For the the amount of time Jay-Z spends on this album telling us how ahead of the game he is, it's kind of surprising that he pulled a title from the past. We know Jay is market savvy enough to use the Blueprint name to launch his first album on a new label, Roc Nation -- just as his old label, Def Jam, was smart enough to take a shot at capitalizing on it by packaging the other two in a box set that leaves "a place to complete your collection." Both share a hint of desperation, but thankfully Jay hasn't reached the level that he needs to drop a Reasonable Doubt 2... yet.

Although allegedly the completion of the Blueprint trilogy, it's more of the conclusion to a comeback trifecta of mediocrity, at least by his high standards and the expectations that we -- among others -- have set upon him. That doesn't mean we aren't listening -- check the rating -- but some of the same traps reappear, including the repeated line gimmick that was bad the first time we heard it. (And when did "aw" become Jay-Z's version of Master P's "unh"? I'll have to break out Reasonable Doubt again and see if it's there, but just not nearly as distracting.)

At least one thing was certain: this album had to be better than The Blueprint 2, and nowhere near as good as The Blueprint. At first glance it looks a lot like the first sequel, with all of the guest appearances. That alone is an insult to the solo masterpiece that serves as its namesake.

The first single, "D.O.A.," showed promise with its back-to-basics approach and attempt to rid the world of auto-tune. (Later on in the album he throws throwbacks, Cristal, Timberlands -- not Timbaland, he produces a few surprisingly underwhelming tracks -- rims, gold and "Making It Rain" under the bus as well.) Sadly, the weight of his point is somewhat lost when he employs a practice that should have died several years before auto-tune in a funeral track of its own -- rappers singing. But "D.O.R.S." isn't as catchy an acronym. If I want to hear a bad rendition of "Na Na Hey Hey" I can go to a White Sox game and wait for the opposing pitcher to get pulled. (Actually, the fans' rendition isn't half bad, comparatively speaking.)

Thankfully, Jay didn't go all Ja Rule on us and keep all of the singing to himself. Rihanna steps in on the catchy and pop-radio-ready second single, "Run This Town," which also boasts a nice appearance by Kanye West -- behind the boards and on the mic (despite the bizarre "beasting off the Riesling" concept topped only by his Katy Perry tribute later on).

"Town," savior of the second half "Already Home" and "Real As It Gets" top this album for me. Future be damned, the Young Jeezy-blessed track recalls a couple of my favorite cuts from a simpler time 14 years ago when Eightball & MJG and AZ were sitting "On Top of the World."

It gets complicated from there. As could be expected from a track featuring Alicia Keys, "Empire State of Mind" gets too big for Jay -- and he sounds a little out of breath throughout. Not that it won't become a New York anthem.

After being underwhelmed after the first spin, it became clear that additional listens would be necessary to appreciate this album. It also provided some perspective in the form of two unrelated events that occurred on Blueprint 3's original release date, Sept. 11: 1) MSNBC spent the morning replaying the events of that date eight years ago; and 2) Michael Jordan's entrance into the Hall of Fame later that night.

The first proved our gut feeling was right that using the term "9/11 them" on the West-produced "Thank You" was too soon, especially when describing the events in detail as a comparison to the end of his rivals' careers. It's in poor taste for the self-proclaimed "new Sinatra." Worse yet, he sports a decidedly non-futuristic Skee-Lo flow.

The second once again provided a perfect metaphor, one that we and Hov have used in recent years. Both past-their-prime stars are stuck settling scores from the past while overstating his impact on the future and having an over-inflated opinion of his place in the present. For Jordan, it was claiming you might see him make a comeback at 50. For Jay, it's the suggestion that this album is really the road map to hip-hop in 2010 and beyond. If anything, Kanye West was the only one to do some truly futuristic sh--, but we already discussed how Jay feels about that. And he claims he doesn't want to hear it, either, at one point saying, "People want my old sh-- / buy my old albums."

But the conflicted truth is revealed throughout. On the album's opener, "What we Talkin' About," the hook is "Who cares what they say?" yet on "So Ambitious" (featuring Pharrell) it's "the motivation for me is them telling me what I could not do" and goes even further on "Hate" (featuring Kanye) as he laments that "I made myself so easy to love." Sounds like caring.

The majority of the album is listenable or better, but there's room for improvement. Surprisingly, it's lyrically. Too focused on the past and the future, he's never in the moment. "This is a 'Reminder.'" "On that next sh--." "Welcome to the future." The two themes never stop. It's always what he did or what he's going to do.

The low point is the final track, which would seem fitting except it is often there where you'll find Jay-Z at his deepest. He tries again here, but "Young Forever" comes off hollow and a bit forced. The Beyonce collabos are thankfully absent, but the weak "Venus vs. Mars" duet with Cassie fills the void.

Then there's "A Star is Born," which at first listen seems like a tribute to all of Jay-Z's MC peers from the past decade or so, but like Jordan's trash-talking induction speech it turns into a bitter list of backhanded compliments. Jay dismisses -- sometimes accurately -- Mase, DMX, Puffy, 50 Cent, Nas, Eminem, Nelly, Ludacris, Ja Rule, T.I., Outkast, Mobb Deep as simply passing through hip-hop as his career keeps moving, closing with this comment on the Wu-Tang Clan: "They had a hell of a run. Standing ovate." But their rhyme ain't done any more than Jay's is, as evidenced by the fact that Raekwon's own sequel to a classic made sure BP 3 wasn't a unanimous pick for the best album released on Sept. 8, let alone in 2009. But clap for Jigga. He deserves a standing ovation, too, for his hell of a run from 1996-2003.

It's time for Jay-Z to take his own advice from this very album and get "Off That" Blueprint. Move "On To The Next One" and leave the guest stars in the green room. Unless he really doesn't have anything more -- or better -- to say. Click here to find out how to buy this album.

-- Mason Storm

The 411 Online's other Jay-Z reviews
JAY-Z, American Gangster
JAY-Z, Kingdom Come
JAY-Z, The Black Album
JAY-Z, The Blueprint 2
JAY-Z, Unplugged
JAY-Z, The Blueprint
JAY-Z, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia
JAY-Z, Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter
JAY-Z, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
JAY-Z, In My Lifetime... Vol. 1
JAY-Z, Reasonable Doubt

L.L. done competing musically: 'I'm not delusional'

L.L. Cool J stopped by MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Thursday to -- what else? -- promote a project with MasterCard, but he ended up doing more than that. In addition to getting in a couple extra plugs, he managed to redefine his place in the hip-hop hierarchy and take time out to celebrate Michael Jackson's impact on him.

"He got me a Grammy," L.L. said, explaining that Jackson's contribution to his career went beyond "influence." Indeed, "Hey Lover" rode a "Lady in My Life" sample to Best Rap Solo Performance honors in 1997, but to be fair, L.L. already had earned a Best Rap Solo Performance Grammy for his trophy case in 1992 all on his own, thanks to "Mama Said Knock You Out."

L.L. added that he thought "Thriller" was the peak of the old school music industry. Showing what a savvy, seasoned pro at working the media he has become, L.L. somehow managed to work in references to a digital distribution network and his new starring role in "NCIS: L.A." on CBS.

But the bombshell L.L. dropped might have been this: "I'm no longer trying to compete musically. I'm not delusional."

While it might sound disappointing at first coming from a fierce competitor who took on all challengers in his hip-hop career, true fans have to hope that this means in the future he'll do the music he wants to do and not the music he (or his record company) thinks is the most commercially viable, as has been the case on recent albums Todd Smith and Exit 13. We're ready for another classic, Uncle L, even if we're still waiting for the answer to that Kool Moe Dee question.

Common unearths classic De La Soul video

Common posted this video used to promote De La Soul's first album, 3 Feet High and Rising, on his blog.

The video, which was posted on YouTube in 2006, includes the trio explaining the meaning behind their names, classic interviews with DMC, KRS-One and DJ Red Alert, as well as placards reminiscent of the "Me Myself & I" video. Toward the end, Big Daddy Kane says, "I think they're gonna be around for a while." Indeed.

Common simply posted "This is DOOOOOPE!" along with the video. Who are we to disagree? Make the connection:

And a bonus:

De La Soul - Me Myself and I
Uploaded by hushhush112 - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Too Short, E-40 and MC Hammer consult for film

Too Short, E-40 and MC Hammer have been hired as consultants for a 2010 film called "Weight," which tells the story of one of the Bay Area's youngest drug kingpins.

Executive producer Todd “Hollywood G.” Graham told AllHipHop that the veteran MCs were brought on board to increas the "authenticity of the project." All three were rising in popularity in the Bay Area and beyond at the same time as Darryl "Lil' D" Reed was taking charge of the Oakland drug scene. Reed took over in the late '80s and was allegedly making millions by 18, but ended up sentenced to 35 years in prison on federal drug charges, 20 of which he has now served.

Read more at AllHipHop.

Lil' Kim voted off 'Dancing with the Stars'

Lil' Kim, who emerged as a favorite in many circles to win the latest edition of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," was voted off Tuesday night in what's being called a shocker by critics who follow the show.

The 411 Online must confess that although we have benefited from many Lil' Kim clicks (she is by far the most popular and most searched for artist on this site), we did not return the favor by watching the show, much less call in and vote for her. Sorry, Kim. You still made the most of your "one more chance" in the spotlight. Chances are you'll get more publicity for an early exit than a win.

Report: Kelis files for divorce from Nas

Vibe is reporting that Nas and Kelis are divorcing after nearly six years of marriage. The couple, who married in July 2003, is expecting a child within a couple of months.

"I can confirm that she has filed for divorce," a spokesperson for Kelis told Vibe. "We request the media to respect her privacy during this very difficult time."

Attorney Laura Wasser filed a divorce petition Saturday on behalf of Kelis, who is seven months pregnant.

More information, as well as a look at the divorce papers, is available at Vibe's website.

Ice-T starts label to battle 'bubblegum' hip-hop

Ice-T is tired of the "bubblegum pop" that passes for hip-hop these days. So what's the MC-turned-actor going to do about it?

"I'm starting a digital label through EMI," Ice told the New York Daily News. "I'm trying to get back to more hip-hop. To me, music right now is like disco. It's very sing-songy, and nobody's dealing with content. That's what I miss. I miss 2Pac and Big. You got Lupe Fiasco and TI now, but in general, we're swamped with bubblegum pop."

He's already signed five acts from different parts of the country: "I'm playing the whole map."

Lawsuit against Foxy Brown dismissed

The New York Post reports that a lawsuit filed against Foxy Brown by a neighbor accusing her of assaulting her with a cell phone has been dismissed. Foxy was hauled off to jail in August 2007 when a judge revoked her probation after the incident.

Brown was accused of violating the terms of her release when she was arrested on charges she smacked Arlene Raymond with her BlackBerry when she complained about the volume of Foxy's car stereo. She later plead guilty, but a lawsuit was filed last year. Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, was on probation for attacking two manicurists at a nail salon in 2004.

Fat Boys think time is right for comeback album

Paul Arnold over at HipHopDX caught up with Kool Rock of the Fat Boys to get the latest on he and Prince Markie Dee's comeback plans.

"What I got out now, the Party Time EP, is like a prelude to the Fat Boys album," Kool Rock told DX. "We're trying to get people warmed up to the name again."

In a casual, but often pointed, interview, Arnold asks Rock about replacing the late Human Beat Box, the cultivation of the group's image early on, the move into covers of old pop records and what he thinks the Fat Boys legacy is in the context of names like Run DMC.

"I think the fact that every parent saw in us just pure fun," Rock said. "Like, those guys are clean. They're not rapping about sexual [stuff]. They're not rapping about raising hell. [Laughs] They're just being who they are. They're just being funny. And they're young. A lot of kids gravitated to us 'cause they just seen these young faces. The legacy for us is just that a lot of people gravitated towards us because we brought that fun element into hip-hop."

Check the rest at HipHopDX.

2Pac lookalike in New Orleans, TMZ freaks

TMZ is going 'round and 'round with the Underground lately. Distracted by the site's report on Shock G and his bikini entourage, we missed the news Wednesday that they had "obtained photographic evidence that Tupac Shakur is alive and well." We sense some sarcasm somewhere in that post, but common sense tells us that 2Pac's return would not be met with a crowd of people looking elsewhere -- snapping only pictures of his profile -- while he was "drinking hand grenades in New Orleans." We hope he's alive, too, but we also hope that when and if he does return he makes a grander entrance than that. R.I.P.