User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 215 Ratings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 155 out of 215
-
Mixed: 39 out of 215
-
Negative: 21 out of 215
Review this album
-
-
Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.
-
-
Submit
-
Check Spelling
- User score
- By date
- Most helpful
-
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!
-
-
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.
-
-
PetersonMSep 20, 2009Great album.
-
-
CandaceTSep 9, 2009The beats are fresh and Venus vs. Mars is my suga honey iced tea!!!
-
-
VictorM.Sep 13, 2009Dope album.
-
-
B.dotBabySep 29, 2009For all the critics that said Jay was falling off this album is proof why he is still the best rapper out right now.. He doesnt need to talk about drugs and the streets throught the whole album. his lyrics are talking about millionare ceo type of things.
-
-
DemoineONov 25, 2009HOV should retire I enjoyed the beats more than the lyrics.He is too overated go out and buy RELAPSE or BEFORE I SELF DESTRUCT to see true genius and lyrical prowess.
-
-
JeanetteR.Sep 13, 2009This is a really hot album. Every song is a hit.
-
-
OwenBSep 17, 2009Amazing album that i can play straight through. Some tracks are a bit soft but the overall sound of the album is something new and refreshing. Now a days most hip-hop sound the same and just don't stand out. This is like my 4th favorite Jay album behind The Blueprint, Reasonable Doubt, and The Black Album. Its tied with American Gangster.
-
-
mpainSep 18, 2009This will be added as another GREAT album to an already long list of classics albums by Jay-Z.
-
-
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.
-
Mar 21, 2020This is my personal favorite Jay-Z album, if not one of my favorite albums period. It has so many classic songs I remember loving as a youngster and I can still vibe with now. And Empire State of Mind is an absolute classic, just like this album. 10/10.
-
BrettCSep 11, 2009Loved nearly every track. A few I could do without.
-
-
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.
-
-
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.
-
-
A.C.Sep 20, 2009
-
-
seanrOct 20, 2009HOV. you cannot make a comeback;when you was never gone.
-
-
JoshDSep 10, 2009Slightly Underrated.
-
-
PetersonMSep 21, 2009Great album.
-
-
DavidLSep 24, 2009I think its a great album like all his albums after listening to it twice i appreciate that its production and hooks and excellent rap timing in place I love forever young and hate and a star is born and already home empire state of mind is also a almost perfect version of new york's beauty long live HOVA.
-
-
Jan 9, 2011So many awesome guests in his songs. One of the best albums I ever listened to.
-
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!!!
-
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.
-
BarryAOct 12, 2009One of the best hip-hop albums of recent times.
-
-
Aug 22, 2011
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 -
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.
-
-
YoManSep 10, 2009Decent album but nothing really special
-
-
PatrickJ.Oct 18, 2009Pretty sure this was supposed to be a Jay-Z album... yeah, that's right, I'm talking to you "timba". Let's be realistic. Jay-Z, you're an accomplished writer, producer, and successful Label owner. Why, oh God, why, are you getting Timbaland in to produce your stuff? BUT! that having been said, aside from the blatantly obvious timba parts, the album was well done.
-
-
KentBSep 9, 2009
-
-
Feb 2, 2012
-
Mar 26, 20157.3/10................................................................................................................................................
-
MarcLOct 1, 2009To me Jay just seems tired .. some good tracks on it , but not as good as previous releases
-
-
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.
-
-
AnthonyP.Oct 15, 2009The spark is missing. Definitely worth the spins, but it won't blow you away.
-
-
kbayaSep 13, 2009The blueprint 3 is d least appreciated of all d blueprint trilogy..thou he still kept lyrical content intact as usual.thumbs up to d album
-
-
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.
-
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
-
Jun 9, 2023
-
D.TNov 16, 2009A Half decent effort....& a half terrible album! Has glimpse's of why we love Jay-Z & also has moments of how he can be a ignorant to the point were you think "Is this guy serous" However songs like "Thank you" "Off That" & "D.O.A" Are great & demonstrate how advanced his head is interms of creativity (When its not up his Arse) D.Tail
-
-
JimmyPSep 12, 2009
-
-
Nov 25, 2013
-
DavidWNov 23, 2009
-
-
May 16, 2014I agree with another reviewer that said that Jay-Z is on autopilot. There's very little passion in this album. The production quality of the mixing and mastering is also pretty poor. The album doesn't communicate anything. It's just generic sound. The only track that's exceptional is Empire State of Mind.
-
CNSep 16, 2009
-
-
AjayDSep 10, 2009
-
-
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. -
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.
-
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.
-
-
SteveR.Sep 12, 2009Cliché added to the typical women hating times the self-effacing bigotry . . . Kanye: why slum with someone so virile?
-
-
CailyDNov 1, 2009Should have stayed retired.
-
-
chrisRSep 23, 2009
-
Awards & Rankings
-
Blueprint is hip-hop as big business, and Jay retains his CEO throne.
-
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.
-
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.