The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse
by Jay-Z
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Nov 12, 2002
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    60
    Though his raps can't compete with the concentrated burst on The Blueprint, there's at least as many great tracks on tap, if only listeners have enough time to find them.
  2. Playlouder
    60
    The trouble is that Jay is stuck in an artistic straitjacket of his own making.
  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    One more strong record from hip-hop's most dependable voice.
  5. Dot Music
    60
    There's a good album in here crying to be let out.
  6. CDNow
    60
    Here again, it's a maddening ping-ponging between genius and plain stupidity.
  7. E! Online
    58
    A little less than half of this stuff is worth singing about.
  8. Launch.com
    50
    Releasing two strong outings in the past year drained him of the juice necessary to make a compelling two-fer.
  9. Mixer
    50
    Other than two noteworthy tracks, the first disc is essentially filler. [Jan 2003, p.73]
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  10. Uncut
    40
    We've heard too much of this before. [Jan 2003, p.119]
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  11. PopMatters
    40
    Despite showing several flashes of brilliance, Jay-Z stumbles through his most uninspired and disappointing album to date.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Discussed Album of 2002
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 88 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 88
  3. Negative: 10 out of 88
  1. MrCharisma
    Jan 10, 2003
    4
    jay-z has some skill, but this album is rushed and too much like the original *blueprint
  2. axelkoch
    Jul 4, 2013
    5
    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.… Full Review »
  3. Beats
    Aug 17, 2010
    1
    Are u kidding. This album is no good. I gave the 1 because of Hov's other music such as classics like the black album and reasonable doubt.Are u kidding. This album is no good. I gave the 1 because of Hov's other music such as classics like the black album and reasonable doubt. This in my opinion is pop garbage… Full Review »
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