Volume CXXXIII, Number 6 October 19, 2001 f

H to the Izzo, V to the Izz-A
MIKE CHAN
STAFF WRITER

How many people have actually purchased the new Jay-Z album? Bootlegs of the record were available well ahead of time, which forced "Jigga" to move up the release date of his album to, coincidentally, September 11th. The Blueprint, Jay-Z's sixth installment, lost some of its luster due to its tragic release date, but the Jigga man treks on with an explanation of himself and his ascent to rap's "superstar" status.

Jay-Z performs live at the All-Star Summer Jam in California. (courtesy of rollingstone.com)

Several months ago, Jay released his single "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" using a sample from Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." By doing so, he added more fuel to the Blueprint fire, and has given party people something to dance about. It was not until Nas came up with a freestyle "dis" called "H to the izzo, M to the izzo (HOMO)" that Jay felt he had something to defend. Jay uses one track on the album entitled, "Takeover," in order to debase and slander the once renowned poet, Nas Escobar.

Battling other rappers and acting overtly egotistical are ways that Jay-Z is able to maintain his top-dollar status as well as stable profits. However, he manages to step over the line on several occasions. Jay-Z compares himself to Jehovah by distastefully calling himself j-hova, hova and hovito. For the most part, Blueprint is a solo project, with the exception of Jay-Z's collaboration with Biz Markie, Q-Tip and Slick Rick on "Girls, Girls, Girls" and with Eminem on a track entitled "Renegade." However, it's this high level of individualism and condescension that is less prevalent in indie groups and underground artists, but is characteristic of modern mainstream rap.

I have always been a fan of the underground hip-hop scene, giving more respect to the work of such rap artists as Blackstar, Common and Pete Rock, and I don't like the idea that first time listeners to hip hop music will feel that rappers have nothing more to talk about than drinking, pimping, selling and hustling. Something noticeably different, though, from pre-Blueprint albums is Jay-Z's use of street soul and R&B samples over tracks. This organic attitude makes Jay-Z hustling tales more subdued but still meaningful. Especially with such samples from Al Green's "Free at Last" and Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Heart of the City," Jay-Z has a more earthy, holistically balanced flow. The track, "Heart of the City" is more than enough for me to chill to. Even though I cringe at his choice of topics, Jigga has a well-crafted and distinctive rhythm that is more engaging and deep-seated.

Flashy, street hustling rap artists such as Jay-Z are threats to the whole genre of rap music but, oddly enough, that's the type of rap music that is more profitable and well-known. Jay-Z knows what appeals to the masses, and he capitalizes on this very effectively. Having produced five multi-platinum albums in the past five years, The Blueprint indicates that he hasn't lost his touch.

3 out of 4 polar bears