User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 215 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 155 out of 215
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Mixed: 39 out of 215
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Negative: 21 out of 215
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Feb 2, 2012
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Nov 25, 2013
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Apr 24, 2015The third opus in Jigga's Blueprint franchise still has quality lyrics, great guest features and an awesome production by Timbo and Kanye to create instant classics such as Empire state of mind and Young Forever.
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Mar 26, 20157.3/10................................................................................................................................................
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Apr 13, 2014I very much enjoyed The Blueprint 3. Jay Z produces an album that even someone who isn't the biggest rap fan will enjoy. A lack of shallow lyrics for the most part and catchy beats and tracks makes this a success.
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Jul 9, 2021The third installment in the Blueprint trilogy, the Blueprint III is a strong outing for Jay-Z from 2009. Jay-Z is lyrically strong as always and flows well. His beats are for the most part pretty good, on this album they are more pop-oriented. The stand out tracks are Empire State of Mind, On to the Next One, Off That, Run This Town, Real As It Gets, and D.O.A.
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Aug 22, 2011
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Mar 11, 2015With a big horn section, strong beats, and creative lyrics, Jay-Z offers up a rap album to be reckoned with. Featuring an awesome artist on nearly every track, each song is a masterpiece.
Recommended Tracks: Hate, Already Home, Young Forever -
Mar 10, 2015Great album by Hov! It's a little different from previous Jay-Z album's but that's not a bad thing as he still kills it. Nice beats and nice rhymes by Jay-z. This album mainly speaks about how Jay-Z has not lost a step and he's still on top of the rap game. It's worth the money to buy this album.
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Jan 9, 2011So many awesome guests in his songs. One of the best albums I ever listened to.
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Sep 27, 2011Jay-Z should be ashamed. Yes he is top of the Charts, yes he went platinum, but does that mean it has skill. For some who bleats he is the "best Rapper Alive" I was expecting a much better Album, especially after American Gangster.
They were all radio friendly tracks the one collaboriation song with J. Cole should have been a single. That would bring a lot recognition to J. Cole. -
Jan 20, 2017There are some gems in this album but overall it's just boring. The beat selection is so generic besides some tracks like D.O.A. and Run This Town and for most of the album Jay Z's verses are just cliche, nothing special. And a few tracks on the album are just annoying
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Nov 14, 2011"Empire State of Mind" was a great song describing new york and Jay Z's life beautifully with rythmic raps and great support from Alicia Keys. Must listen!!!
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Nov 18, 2013This Album definitely had it's moments Empire State of mind). However, overall it was a very inconsistent album. It seems that at times, Jay Z gets annihilated, whether it's by little brother Run this town), or the next hottest thing out (drake). Only about 5 or 6 great tracks on this album, that's what saves the album.
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Mar 10, 2015Still bumping it 6 years after the initial release. "Young Forever" and "A Star is Born (feat. J. Cole)" are my favorite from the album but I still do get pretty hype over most of the songs off the album.
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Jun 22, 2011My favorite Jay-z album. It truly has a great style and feel. If there was ever a rapper to stand up against eminem, after hearing this album, i'd say it has to be jay-z.
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Mar 15, 2012His most complete album musically; only slight disappointment was D.O.A. (great idea, but Jay-Z singing "na na na na... hey hey hey goodbye" was not the greatest idea he every had). Overall, however, a very good album.
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Sep 18, 2014Personally this is probably the worst Jay-Z album ever. Empire State of Mind, Venus vs. Mars, and D.O.A are the only songs I'd recommend to someone to listen to. Do yourself a favor and skip this album.
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MarcLOct 1, 2009To me Jay just seems tired .. some good tracks on it , but not as good as previous releases
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SlimSSep 16, 2009Not his best, but not nearly his worst. Listen to the lyrics people! Don't just skim through the beats and look for catchy hooks. The first 5 songs are all very good, it drops off a bit with Real As It Gets, Hate and So Ambitious are straight terrible but overall it's a good album.
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dMusickSep 17, 2009I don't know what critics hear but this album is Jay-Z on top of his game once again. It reminds of 'American Gangster' which was so eloquently laid. Awesome beats & on point samples!
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JaeJOct 31, 2009This album is a peace of art, from all the blueprints album i have heard this one is so far the greatest one.... Just by listening to it you can hear his pain, and how him feelings about everything.
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YoManSep 10, 2009Decent album but nothing really special
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BrettCSep 11, 2009Loved nearly every track. A few I could do without.
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VijayVSep 11, 2009The great thing about Jay-Z's new album is how he mixes styles and tones yet he still keeps his message of rap alive and well.
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KaranK.Sep 13, 2009The album is strong and so is the base. As always the lyrics are better than the music but music is also amazing. Jay-Z can never disappoint, its proven now. Tracks like Off That, Run this Town. Hate, Reminder, Venus vs. Mars and more are superb and the Death of Autotune is again a masterpiece and Jay-Z did it the fine way. Rap like him and you'll know.
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SpotRusherSep 14, 2009Talk about cruise control. This is not a good album...and an even worse hip hop album. This is one of the most incohesive, unsurprising, forced albums I've ever heard. Heavy on guests with lackluster, out of place verses. 'Death of Autotune' is featured here, yet he has Rihanna & Kanye West featured...both of whom shamelessly use Autotune. Hmmm. Should have stayed retired.
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CNSep 16, 2009
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DerekCSep 18, 2009Jay-Z tries to too hard to be mainstream in this album. Very disappointing to following up a classic like American Gangster. Hope he goes back to his classic joints next time around.
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PetersonMSep 20, 2009Great album.
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Awards & Rankings
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Blueprint is hip-hop as big business, and Jay retains his CEO throne.
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Jay overreaches, leaning too heavily on by-the-numbers production from Kanye West and Timbaland, and muffling his own voice in favor of a guest-heavy tracklist.
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Without its filler, this album could have been at least good, if not great. But, for better or for worse, this is what Jay wanted us to hear right now. It’s just a shame that it’s not entirely worth hearing.