#4 - Phil

Jay-Z

The Blueprint

2001

On September 11, 2001, the most successful rapper of all-time unleashed the most experimental and economically daring album of his career. Filled with instrumental beats, soul-based samples, and harsh insults of some of hip hop’s most prominent figures, on paper Jay-Z’s The Blueprint had just as much opportunity to flop as it did to succeed. But once people heard the record, its magic was undeniable.

“The Takeover, the wait’s over, nigga / God MC – me – Jay-Hova / Hey lil’ soldier, you ain’t ready for war / R.O.C. too strong for ya’ll / It’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight, pen to a test / Your chest in the line of fire with your thin-ass vest / You bringin’ them Boyz II Men, how them boys goin’ win? / This is a grown man, bia, get you rolled in the triage, BIOTCH!” These opening lines from The Blueprint’s second track, “Takeover,” are a small sample of the lyrical brilliance Jay boastfully displays throughout the record. His clever use of visual analogies and syllabically intricate rhymes instill an incredible amount of creative confidence in my brain, as though rapping is no longer work but rather a liberating skill as free-flowing as water. He captures everything from women he dates – “I got this young chick, she’s so immature / She like, ‘Why you don’t buy me Reeboks no more?’” – to friends he’s lost: “Good dude, I know you love me like cook food / Even though a nigga gotta move like a crook move / We was together on the block since free lunch / We should’ve been together having 4 Seasons brunch.”

A track that’s always stood out to me is “Renegade,” which features Eminem as Jay’s only guest on the album. I’ve always seen this track as one of the landmark songs in hip hop history, as the decade’s two greatest lyricists united for the first time ever to deliver an absolutely phenomenal joint. If I had to select one rap album that inspired me more than any other to write my own rap songs, it would unquestionably be The Blueprint. -P.W.

If you enjoy hip hop at all, this record is a necessity for a list like this, especially if your name is Phil. While we may disagree how this record compares to other rap albums of the past ten years, it is undeniable that The Blueprint is perhaps the most broadly and highly respected hip hop albums of our time. As I have reviewed this album before, I think it’s clear Phil and I both have love for this one. - Ryan

Probably the best Jay-Z record, which also puts it up there as one of the greatest rap albums of all time, hell, I could see Phil putting this at number 1. And even if he doesn't, it would deserve such acclaim. During this point of his career it was just a pleasure to listen to Jay's flow, but here we also get the additional highs of Kanye West and Just Blaze's excellent production across this record. Sounds like a classic on the first listen. - Steve