The Blueprint
The Ruler’s Back. Takeover. Izzo (H.O.V.A.). Girls, Girls, Girls. Jigga That Nigga. U Don’t Know. Hola’ Hovito. Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love). Never Change. Song Cry. All I Need. Renegade (feat. Eminem). Blueprint (Momma Loves Me).
Jay-Z’s The Blueprint
This was a tough one, as both #1 and #2 have interchangeable strengths. We told you, this isn’t your everyday ranking. Jay-Z’s 2001 LP, The Blueprint, was a historic release for the MC, dropping on one of the country’s most chaotic days no less. But that context only adds to the legend of “Jay-Z’s The Blueprint.”
Revolutionary Production
With the majority of the album’s 15 tracks handled by Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Bink, Jigga’s blend of soul samples and drums revolutionized Hip-Hop in ways none of his other projects did. Stories about the album have reached mythical proportions, including the project’s reported two-week production time, with Jay allegedly recording nine songs in two days.
Critiques and Context
We know you’re wondering what could be keeping “Jay-Z’s The Blueprint” from the top spot on the list—two words, “Hola’ Hovito.” We’re kidding; it’s more to the story, which we’ll get into. We’re just wondering if hindsight was necessary to know not to include “Jigga That Nigga” and the aforementioned “Hola’ Hovito” on the album’s final cut.
Historic Beef
The Blueprint’s release during one of Hip-Hop’s most storied beefs doesn’t get the credit it deserves. While Jay critiques Nas’ shaky release history following Illmatic, his own wasn’t looking too good either. We got one of his most pivotal projects in Reasonable Doubt, then three straight volumes of In My Lifetime and The Dynasty album. Needless to say, The Blueprint couldn’t have come at a better time.
Beneficial Beef
With both The Blueprint and Stillmatic proving to be their best projects in half a decade, is it safe to call this the most beneficial beef in Hip-Hop? There were no deaths or physical altercations (that we know about), just good old-fashioned verbal assaults. With “no Vaseline!” Like we said earlier, “Jay-Z’s The Blueprint” is exactly that—Jay’s formulaic approach to lyrically, conceptually, and sonically overhaul how we approach Hip-Hop.
Iconic Tracks from The Blueprint
Reading over this tracklist, you might mistake it for a Greatest Hits. “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “U Don’t Know,” and “Heart Of The City” are all unquestionable first-ballot Hall of Fame Hov tracks. Don’t forget essentials like “Takeover,” “Song Cry,” and “Renegade.”
Diverse Production
Aside from the three main producers we mentioned, Trackmasters, Timbaland, and Eminem secured producer credits as well. While Eminem’s contribution was an exception, we think incorporating the other two was a disservice to the record. It disrupted the album’s cohesion and further called Jay’s ear for structuring into question.
Next Up
Alright, while we’ll get into why our #1 locked its spot down, “Jay-Z’s The Blueprint” remains a seminal work in Hip-Hop history. Culturalists, we got another head-scratcher for you. If we split “Jay-Z’s The Blueprint” up in a Verzuz platform, attributing “Takeover,” “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” and “Heart Of The City” to Kanye and “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “U Don’t Know,” and “Song Cry” to Just Blaze, who got who on the production side? Let us know down in the comments.
You can find me on Instagram @rap_breakdown.