The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse - Jay-Z
  • Band Name: Jay-Z
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Nov 12, 2002
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse Image
Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 45 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: 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.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. Q Magazine
    90
    Eclipsing last year's Blueprint, it throws down the gauntlet to challengers Murder Inc. [Jan 2003, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Jay-Z has upped the commercial rap ante once again.
  3. Playlouder
    60
    The trouble is that Jay is stuck in an artistic straitjacket of his own making.
  4. Stylus Magazine
    37
    If The Blueprint proved that coming back is easy, The Blueprint 2 proves it’s difficult to stay on top.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
  1. dontezg
    10
    i liked the album alot matter of fact i liked every album by jay-z cuase he's my favorite rapper.
  2. DarrenR
    8
    there are some songs that get your attention but there are songs that you have to listen to 2 really understand
  3. JohnMurrayHill
    7
    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
  4. MrCharisma
    4
    jay-z has some skill, but this album is rushed and too much like the original *blueprint

See all 30 User Reviews

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