For Jay-Z, 'Blueprint 3' Is Evolutionary Brilliance

CLEVELAND - Talented people are not automatic geniuses and superstars don't always evolve into legends. For one Mr. Shawn Carter, he is the rare exception.

He is a legendary genius, and it continues to show in his work.

Carter, the 39-year old Brooklyn native known professionally as Jay-Z has released his 11th solo album The Blueprint 3 today, three days earlier than planned to lessen the impact of bootlegging the LP, which leaked online a week ago.

I can say with absolute certainty; this album is superb.

While Jay-Z's 2001 album The Blueprint is among the top albums of the decade and 2002's The Blueprint 2: The Gift and the Curse was a guest-laden, double CD offering that was very good, yet mildly disappointing, the new album showcases Jay as a brilliant lyricist, versatile and evolutionary. His formidable legacy looms large over this album (in spite of the litany of guests) and he deftly proves yet again why he's as great as he is.

Nowadays, it has sadly become popular to ridicule Jay-Z because of his age. Many lesser artists use this as their best defense mechanism since rap is typically a young man's game. But the truth is quite simple; Jay-Z has what no one else in the game has or for that matter, ever had. The man has a resume more expansive than anyone else in the 30-year history of hip-hop. No one has ever enjoyed such relevance for over a dozen years whilst doling out a gigantic catalog of mega hits, guest appearances and indelible lines. And let's not forget the millions upon millions of records sold and endless cache of awards.

And that's just the music.

Jay-Z is a superlative businessman and a tireless worker. He isn't simply a rapper that romanticizes his drug-dealing past and brags about his mega-wealthy present. There is a distinct sophistication in his music, especially the new joint. Jay-Z is an amalgam of hustler, executive and philosopher and merges the wisdom and pragmatism of such contemporaries as Talib Kweli and Common with the glittering commercialism of a Lil' Jon or a Soulja Boy -- just with a far more substantial lyrical dexterity.

Listening to The Blueprint 3, it becomes increasingly apparent that Jay studies everything. He takes hip-hop into unfamiliar and unconventional areas that work for him better than it works for anyone else. Case in point: on the much maligned "D.O.A.," he likens his music to that of iconic crooner Frank Sinatra. For a drug-dealer turned mogul, that is a huge leap but it fits because of his aura. Yes, the track has gotten plenty of flak (many call him an out-of-touch fuddy duddy), but he exudes a smooth elegance on this song that makes him equally believable as a Rat Pack-era star who shares commonality with Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. or a modern day hustler in the 'hood.

Another though that occurred to me as I listened to the album: Jay-Z has actually laid out his blueprint his entire career; hustle your way out of the environment you were born into, never let that place confine or define you, learn from what you see and experience and be smart enough to allow that hard knock life to inspire epic ambitions, of which many he's achieved. On the hit single "Run This Town," Kanye West (who produced much of the album) co-stars, and it was his understanding and acceptance of Jay's philosophy that took him from a Chicago suburb (obviously different circumstances from Jay's) to the top of the music industry as both artist and producer. West has excelled because he's followed Jay's blueprint.

"Empire State of Mind" showcases Jay as a diverse, global figure. He is clearly the most adaptable star in his genre's history and is a student of not just hip-hop and its pioneers, but also Hollywood, sports, politics and pop culture. Coupled with his vast intellect, that is precisely why he's so incredible and witty, not to mention full of substance.

"On to the Next One" has Jay's evolution front and center. He details his significance and prominence in the entire entertainment industry, matter-of-factly mentioning holding company with such icons as Michael Jackson and Oprah Winfrey as well as President Barack Obama. Theme of the song: he doesn't get bogged down by the status quo.

"Off That" is an interesting merger of young and experienced. Current Mr. popularity R&B/rapper Drake features on this track but it's Jay that dominates. He conveys a been-there-done-that vibe with this song, even doing so with grand hubris. Understand this: the inherent nature of hip-hop is flexing one's bravado and swagger, yet most do it without having accomplished anything. Jay actually explains why he's earned the right to do so.

I can't help but admire Jay-Z's excellent wordplay. On "Venus v.s. Mars," he deftly uses double entendres and puns to illustrate the subtle differences between he and his girl. Lines like "shorty like Pepsi, me I'm the "coke" man" are highly entertaining to anyone that actually "gets" it. I feel as though the song loosely represents the metaphorical differences between he and many of his supposed "competition."

My final analysis of The Blueprint 3 is simple. It is a great album and perhaps with time, a classic. Right now though, it is certainly a masterpiece and it stuns me that Jay can still be this good after 13 long years. No, it's not a typical Jay-Z album from his early years. But like he so eloquently states on the CD, "you want the old Jay, buy [his] old album." This is about evolution and improvement, and he's done both very well.

He's only added to his legacy as the best in history.