The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse Image
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse
Jay-Z
Def Jam
Release Date:
Metascore
64
Based on
19 Critics
User Score
6.8
Based on
70 Ratings
TOP TRACK
Blueprint 2
Jay Z this, Jay Z that, Jay Z this, Jay Z that Jay Z that, Jay Z this, get off Jay Z's dick What y'all niggas get front page articles Y'all mention...
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Summary Back to top
A sequel to his critically-acclaimed 2001 album 'The Blueprint,' Jay-Z's new two-disc set is all over the map in the course of 110 minutes and 25 tracks. The roster of producers and guests includes (but is by no means limited to): The Neptunes, Lenny Kravitz, Big Boi, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Heavy D, Rakim, Beyonce Knowles, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Scarface.
Record Label: Def Jam
Genre(s): Rap
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Critic Reviews Back to top
Positive:
7
Mixed:
10
Negative:
2
90
Billboard
The most ambitious and most fully realized album of his career.
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90
Q Magazine
Eclipsing last year's Blueprint, it throws down the gauntlet to challengers Murder Inc. [Jan 2003, p.120]
80
Blender
Despite the endurance test inherent in any double-disc, his Olympian performances are worth the weight of his pretensions. [#12, p.156]
60
CDNow
Here again, it's a maddening ping-ponging between genius and plain stupidity.
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60
Rolling Stone
One more strong record from hip-hop's most dependable voice.
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50
Launch.com
Releasing two strong outings in the past year drained him of the juice necessary to make a compelling two-fer.
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30
New York Magazine (Vulture)
What a curse Jay-Z's ideas represent: Nearly everything about The Blueprint 2 sounds like a retread, including its title.
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User Reviews Back to top
Positive:
13
Mixed:
3
Negative:
2
10
MoisesB
Nov 28, 2002
Is great MUSIC ABOUT TIME!!! Something that's different into another level...
10
TBut
Dec 23, 2002
Amazing simply amazing.... How incredible....from "some people hate" to "bluprint2" an overall great album
10
dontezg
Sep 17, 2004
i liked the album alot matter of fact i liked every album by jay-z cuase he's my favorite rapper.
9
Jared
Nov 23, 2002
I enjoyed this album. Listen to the lyrics don't skim through the music.
7
JohnMurrayHill
Apr 9, 2008
When this came out - for Jay-Z fans - it was the bomb. Listening to it now, some of the tracks aren't great. That said, the second CD - When this came out - for Jay-Z fans - it was the bomb. Listening to it now, some of the tracks aren't great. That said, the second CD - the darker CD - is damn good. There are a lot of gems on here. Fans of Jay-Z will definitely find some good stuff here. Some nice Kanye West productions too.… Expand
5
axelkoch
Jul 4, 2013
The Blueprint was Jay-Z’s most entertaining album to date and though this overlong sequel to the 2001 CD recalls the catchy and eloquentThe Blueprint was Jay-Z’s most entertaining album to date and though this overlong sequel to the 2001 CD recalls the catchy and eloquent lyrics of its predecessor at times, it is a disappointing follow-up if you look at it as a whole. The 25 tracks on 2 discs are departed into three categories: a few really great songs, a lot of nice ones that just aren’t rememberable, and some unnecessary and annoying fillers so that the album accomplishes its almost 2-hour-long running time. It seems to me that Carter wanted to put the album out as quickly as possible so he can still brag about his 7-year-7-albums consistency. It just would’ve been better if he’d stopped this seemingly obsessive all-time-presence he had at the time The Blueprint 2 came out, and focused on creating songs that are actually good and not completely forgettable. But don’t get me wrong, this album is fine to listen to and clearly a lot better than all three of the Vol. albums in the late 90’s. It’s just unspectacular and boring way too often. Despite all that, it’s undeniable that Jay-Z is a formidably talented lyricist and therefore, The Blueprint 2 is only really bad if you compare it to the original The Blueprint.… Expand
0
TarikT
Dec 3, 2002
Another rushed album by one of the shames of Hip Hop. Senseless rap sucks. The 3 main sensless rappers are: Jay-Z, Ja-rule, and nelly. Please Another rushed album by one of the shames of Hip Hop. Senseless rap sucks. The 3 main sensless rappers are: Jay-Z, Ja-rule, and nelly. Please guys come up with something original, Jay-Z isnt a an eighth of the man he used to be five years ago. POP SUKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
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