American Gangster
by Jay-Z
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 201 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 177 out of 201
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 201
  3. Negative: 12 out of 201

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  1. ajayd
    Sep 11, 2009
    10
    Stop tryin to compare this to lupe...lupe has nothing on Jay. THis album is a hip hop master piece.
  2. jkm.
    Feb 5, 2008
    4
    I'm tired of this getting put of Lupe the cool but its really not that good you could jay z on anything and it will sell doesn't mean that its good
  3. ChrisC.
    Nov 22, 2007
    3
    Jay Z has always said he is "the best". However if you truly do listen to his lyrics, you will realize that many of them are taken directly from *real* rappers. He has copied lyrics from the likes of Tupac and Biggie.. most of the time verbatim, and makes into his "own" song which gives him money. This album also features lil wayne. Two terrible rappers on one track. The only good song on Jay Z has always said he is "the best". However if you truly do listen to his lyrics, you will realize that many of them are taken directly from *real* rappers. He has copied lyrics from the likes of Tupac and Biggie.. most of the time verbatim, and makes into his "own" song which gives him money. This album also features lil wayne. Two terrible rappers on one track. The only good song on this CD features Nas. Nas begins to rap and he basically steals this song. If you truly love hip hop you already know this is crap. I am just trying to inform people that this is what makes rap bad.… Collapse
  4. Emperor
    Apr 10, 2011
    2
    Dude always calls himself the "Best" and that's exactly why he is not the best. He brags so f****kin much, i can call at least three rappers am 100% sure are far better than him (Eminem, Andre 300, Nas). Am only giving this a two because of the two songs i like( Roc Boys and Success) outside those two, The rest=Garbage !!!
  5. axelkoch
    Aug 26, 2013
    6
    American Gangster, Jay-Z’s tenth studio album, is the unofficial soundtrack to Ridley Scott’s movie of the same name, but it is absolutely no concept album. I’m aware that the New York rapper wanted his audience to believe this and he even ‘forbid’ iTunes to sell the individual songs on their own, but there is no continuity at all, it follows the same desultory formula as every other ofAmerican Gangster, Jay-Z’s tenth studio album, is the unofficial soundtrack to Ridley Scott’s movie of the same name, but it is absolutely no concept album. I’m aware that the New York rapper wanted his audience to believe this and he even ‘forbid’ iTunes to sell the individual songs on their own, but there is no continuity at all, it follows the same desultory formula as every other of his albums before and after it. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but promoting it as one is and made me resent Jay-Z. However, I managed to get over that disappointment and then, American Gangster really is a fine record and not only in comparison to his previous album, Kingdom Come. A multitude of able producers, a good general message, and most of all Mr. Carter’s rapping skills make it absolutely worth listening to and an entertaining hour of hip hop that can entertain you more than just once. There are only rare instances in which Jay-Z shows off his ingenuity in rapping No Hook, I Know, and Blue Magic but even the indifferent tracks are still above average when likened to other hip hop songs in this day and age. And while that does prove that Mr. Carter is one of the best rappers alive, it’s also undeniable that this is far behind of what he’s able to do the worst song on The Black Album is better than the best one on American Gangster.… Expand
  6. JamesH.
    Jan 11, 2008
    10
    Perfection.
  7. KurisuM.
    Nov 13, 2007
    8
    Above average album, Not as well put together as The Streets (Mike Skinner) album A Grand Don't Come for Free... similar concept from a couple years back. The album is meant to be more of a story... as opposed to seperate tracks, you're listening to seperate chapters. Decent overall, worth the buy.
  8. JoshN
    Nov 5, 2007
    10
    Jay Z hits hard with his new album. Much much better than Kingdom Come, though it is still not his best. Vintage Jay-z. If that's what you want, enjoy this album for what it is worth
  9. MichaelE.
    Nov 6, 2007
    9
    Exceptional. One of the best albums of the year. Definitely better than the disappointing "Kingdom Come". This is the calibar of material that we've come to expect from Jay Z.
  10. Fufa
    Nov 6, 2007
    10
    this cd Is crazy I guess everybody is a jay fan again right ? Damn that's crazy.
  11. SashaR.
    Nov 6, 2007
    10
    I dont usually like jay, but this is a master piece right here.
  12. M.Mahar
    Nov 7, 2007
    4
    This is such a copy of the movie, "American Gangster." I prefer the movie over the album. Jay-Z is such a copy cat!
  13. [Anonymous]
    Nov 7, 2007
    10
    Excellent album. And no, this isn't a Kanye record. First of all, it's a pro rapping, not a producer. Secondly, if you think Hov is taking a page from Kanye, you obviously have not heard Reasonable Doubt.
  14. Fantasy
    Nov 7, 2007
    8
    Good movie with outstanding peformances by Denzel, Ruby Dee, and Russell. Denzel's wife was totally miscast and without chemistry.
  15. NajehD.
    Nov 7, 2007
    8
    One of the top 3 rap albums this year along with Chamillionaire and Talib Kweli. Nice bounce back from Jigga.
  16. JoeL
    Nov 7, 2007
    9
    A Classic when judged against todays music
  17. leyod.
    Nov 8, 2007
    10
    jigga back dis rite here iz fire
  18. UNReal101
    Nov 8, 2007
    9
    Every lyric, every beat, every calculated step of this album comes together to pull off an excellent journey through the mind of Frank Lucas & the feel of the 1970s. Haven't heard something this entertaining since 'Hip Hop is Dead' from NaS... well there was also Kanye's ish, but this is a real Hip Hop album.
  19. DavidA
    Nov 9, 2007
    8
    Considering how he supposedly put the album together with the quickness, and it still came out pretty damn good, he gets more credit. But if you want to compare with his latest, I think it's as good as Kindom Come, but not as good as the Black Album or The Blue Prints.
  20. StanP.
    Jan 2, 2008
    10
    Clearly one of jay's better albums...he makes the reappearance most were hopig for in kingdom come, which I feel wasn't one of his best albums but it was kind shaking off the rust. the American gangsta album has several hits and after watchin the movie it makes one appreciate the album more. if you don't appreciate the album watch the movie and then listen. I believe Clearly one of jay's better albums...he makes the reappearance most were hopig for in kingdom come, which I feel wasn't one of his best albums but it was kind shaking off the rust. the American gangsta album has several hits and after watchin the movie it makes one appreciate the album more. if you don't appreciate the album watch the movie and then listen. I believe someone else stated that jay-z is a story teller and this is a rapped story about the hustle of frank lucas as well as jay-z.… Expand
  21. DonlaW.
    Mar 17, 2008
    10
    Let's be real about something here. Almost every album Hov puts out has the potential to become a hit. Nothing will ever be bigger than his Blueprint, but this album cuts it pretty close. It's quite different seeing that the entire theme is based on the hit movie. From what most of us know, he's the first to do this. I've listened to every track and as he promised Let's be real about something here. Almost every album Hov puts out has the potential to become a hit. Nothing will ever be bigger than his Blueprint, but this album cuts it pretty close. It's quite different seeing that the entire theme is based on the hit movie. From what most of us know, he's the first to do this. I've listened to every track and as he promised before he released it, it would be one to remember. Sleeping on this album is like going backwards on a highway.… Expand
  22. JayO.
    Nov 10, 2007
    9
    First time through the album, I didn't think there was much there. Obviously tracks like 'No hook', 'Ignorant Sh*t', and 'Fallin'' stood out right away. However, after the third time listening to the album, I was hooked on every single song. 'American Gangster' is an amazing C.D. and a great complement to, not only the movie by the same First time through the album, I didn't think there was much there. Obviously tracks like 'No hook', 'Ignorant Sh*t', and 'Fallin'' stood out right away. However, after the third time listening to the album, I was hooked on every single song. 'American Gangster' is an amazing C.D. and a great complement to, not only the movie by the same name, all those who grew up and the lived that street life.… Expand
  23. AaronM
    Nov 10, 2007
    0
    This CD is pure garbage. I don't know what you all are smoking. There is not one hit song on this CD and the production value is so poor, it's ridiculous! Jay should have stopped at the Black Album. Ever since, his flow has been breezy and choppy, and his arrogance won't carry him like a Kanye album.
  24. Kevin
    Nov 13, 2007
    9
    This CD is really good, i'm glad he could recover from his last couple of cds. I like the feel of this album...
  25. ricky
    Nov 10, 2007
    10
    this album is just great. all-round.
  26. whathuh
    Nov 5, 2007
    0
    I thought this guy retired...
  27. Ralph...
    Nov 5, 2007
    3
    jay z has become a one dimensional artist. the album fails to carry any substance. his lyrics are mediocre and he fails to paint pictures or showcase and true artistry as an mc. pray, noo hook and fallin are the good tracks. nas had a great verse on success but the beat and jays blatant biting of eminems rhymes make the track an underwhelming experience.
  28. EthanH.
    Nov 5, 2007
    9
    Fantastic album; his best since "The Blueprint".
  29. RyanA
    Nov 5, 2007
    4
    Here is a guy who has made a life off of producing and rapping, not off kill and selling coke; the pretending has got to stop somewhere. Jay-Z has the capability to produce much better than this. That's not to say this album is with out merit, there are some decent songs scattered throughout, but nothing ground breaking. This album missed the mark. Better luck next time.
  30. Blake
    Nov 6, 2007
    10
    A Brilliant Masterpiece!!! You Go Hova!!!
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Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Album of 2007
40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2007
41
#41 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 4, 2011
    90
    It's excellent, to be honest. Jay-Z sounds relaxed and comfortable in his legacy on the mic: he's not feeling as pressed to perform as he did on Kingdom Come, and the MC just lets his talent flow effortlessly.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    80
    This is a very good Jay-Z album. He is, for the most part, doing what he has done before: what he does best.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    There are also sparse, programmed beats from the Neptunes and lesser-knowns like No I.D., with Jay-Z fixing his flow accordingly. What unites the collection more than a specific sound is a narrative arc that loosely parallels Lucas' rise and decline.
    Read full review
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