The long awaited album "The Blueprint 3" by self-proclaimed "Greatest Rapper Alive" known most commonly by his stage name Jay-Z, leaked on August 31st, 9 days before its initial release and 4 days before its scheduled release. The third installment in the Blueprint trilogy marks a monumental point in the history of hip-hop. Jay-Z the near forty year old released his 11th solo studio album. Most artists in hip-hop can only dream of such a career and few expect their own to last more than a decade.
Critically and commercially successful thus far, there are always skeptics and attackers. Such is the nature of the hip-hop game. Younger and newer artists criticize Jay saying that he's too old or has sold out, when in fact the opposite is closer to the truth. With a career spanning more than 23 years and the earlier years dwelling within the "Golden Age of Hip-hop" and new so called "diss tracks" such as "D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-tune)" a track criticizing the overuse of auto-tuning a singer's voice in newer hip-hop, Hova reiterates to the new comers and skeptics that he's still going strong. In late May of this year Jay-Z told the press that he had bought the remainder of his contract with Def Jam Records. In doing so he was able to attain more creative control and able to release the album under his own record label Roc Nation.
Pushing up the release date but going through with the scheduled concert Jay-Z will be performing a charity concert tomorrow in New York City. All of the profits will go to New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.
Once again, the release of this album is no short of significant. The single "Run This Town" featuring Rihanna and Kanye West has been playing strong on radios and t.v. commercials and the album has been selling well. Look for and enjoy the album in stores or online.
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