On the Sofa: American Gangsta Sound Track

So I'm going to take a shot at an album that isn't exactly an album but is definitely an iconic masterpiece , created by an iconic hip hop artist. We all know, Jay-Z is the self proclaimed, and some stats may agree, best rapper. His street wise demeanor projects in his music louder than the beat themselves at times. His lyrics speak of the things he has been through and what he knows. His subjects are raw with hard hitting lyrics and a b-boy style flow. Yet with this album, he set himself FAR apart from any other! Again....


There have been MANY great movie sound tracks that captured the passion, pain and pleasure of the movies they represent. Oh so y'all gonna make me name some!? OK, well what about the Set It Off soundtrack? 8 Mile, which by the way Jay-Z was on. Brown Sugar....Hey y'all get the point. There are plenty more out there too. But there are two things that set the American Gangsta soundtrack apart from those. The first is the fact that it is ALL Jay-Z on the tracks with the acception of a couple features from various artist. Jay-Z felt that this movie was a great opportunity to create a new concept album that depicts his experience as a street hustler. Though the album never officially became the movies soundtrack, it sold over 1 million copies in the U.S. and featured lines from the movie. The way he came with beats that seemed to explore the 80's style of rhythm. The way he made references to the same time frame the movie did. The way he was able to paint the picture of the "swagger" displayed back in that day and time. That is what made this a classic.


My personal opinion on it, if you choose to hear it, this was and still is the best (though unofficial) movie soundtrack that has hit the scene. I mean lets be real, You don't get many of them that paint the FULL picture in detail of the movie. You get a few tracks that bring you back to a scene or two. You have some that remind you of the whole movie but that's the only song you heard from the whole soundtrack. But this one, this was more of an album. Yet and still its a great listen the whole way through. The features were great as well, to include Beanie Sigel, Lil Wayne, Nas and the singer Bilal. But it just seemed to me that the man Jay-Z could have went on forever with tracks like these. He spoke of what he's seen, knows and felt/feels. To me that is a HUGE rule of thumb in music. Speak what you know feel and the truth and you can't go wrong.

HIP HOP RATER

HH- OF COARSE! I mean it's Jay-Z for starters. But the album...enough said!

OH- You already know as he said himself, he is "held as one of the greatest writers of the 21st centry" and makes "thought provoking $h!+" Its very evident.

This album...or soundtrack...or whatever it may be considered, is a true masterpiece and thats why it is On the Sofa to day. To wrap it all up, salute to the man Jay-Z. Thats how you tell a story!