Let's talk about "American Gangster".

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deactivated-5b1e62582e305

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#1 deactivated-5b1e62582e305
Member since 2004 • 30778 Posts

JayZ_American_Gangster_Cover.jpg

I rarely see this album mentioned when people list their favourite Jay albums. Personally, I consider it my third favourite after Reasonable Doubt and The Black Album. It's also pretty underrated now, no one in general seems to talk about it anymore. I understand that modern Jay-Z isn't as good so maybe there's that stigma surrounding it but fvck, it's still a damn good album. I could listen to it from start to finish and never skip a track.

What does OTB think about it? Am I insane for liking it so much?

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HaSheeSh_basic

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#2 HaSheeSh_basic
Member since 2002 • 12509 Posts
It is actually pretty good, and it's easy to rank it up high since Jay-Z has released plenty of terrible albums. I'd put it up on fourth underneath RD, TBA, and Blueprint, while the rest of his discography is best described as various levels of ****. Album was soo smooth imo, a little reminiscent of RD with it's sound and the mafioso theme.
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iHeartCali

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#4 iHeartCali
Member since 2008 • 6198 Posts
I liked it last time I listened.
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a_ratchet_fan

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#5 a_ratchet_fan
Member since 2006 • 2207 Posts
The original is good, the astronote remix album is a classic IMO.  http://astronote.bandcamp.com/album/jay-z-the-real-album-astronote-remixes
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elpooz

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#6 elpooz
Member since 2005 • 5883 Posts

For me it goes...

Blueprint

Reasonable Doubt

Black Album

American Gangster

Vol 1

etc etc etc

It's a near-classic imo. Has a great, consistent vibe to it, really impressive range of subject matter and has appropriate/well-used guest features. No Hook is probably one of my top 5 Jay-Z songs.

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Black-Demon

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#7 Black-Demon
Member since 2003 • 28177 Posts

It wasn't bad,but it didn't stand out to me. That's pretty much I never mention it,especially since its Jay-Z and I used to expect a lot from him whenever he was making music

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Toriko42

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#8 Toriko42
Member since 2006 • 27562 Posts
I don't many people dislike the album. Between garbage like Hello Brooklyn there was gems on there like Blue Magic, Roc Boys, Sweet, etc.

Great album. It's actually the one that introduced me to Jay-Z.
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iHeartCali

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#9 iHeartCali
Member since 2008 • 6198 Posts
In My Lifetime Remix was hot though.
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djwestwood

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#11 djwestwood
Member since 2005 • 1260 Posts
Success, Say Hello and Fallin were all 5/5 for me. Overall the album is solid - I'd give it 3.5/5. TBA and The Blueprint are 1 and 2 with this album and RD being no.3 followed by In My Lifetime Vol 1
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Toriko42

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#12 Toriko42
Member since 2006 • 27562 Posts
I put this album way ahead of Blueprint 2 and In My Lifetime Vol. 1

I don't know about most people but I really didn't think In My Lifetime Vol. 1 was that special save for a few amazing tracks (Where I'm From >>> )

Blueprint 2 though is something I just can't **** with. American Gangster though was super accesible and easy to listen to.
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Orlando_Magic

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#13 Orlando_Magic
Member since 2002 • 37448 Posts

I put Reasonble Doubt, BP, Black Album, and Vol 1 all above American Gangster. Prolly Vol. 3 too. I don't go back to much off AG besides Say Hello and Ignorant **** (which was an odd choice to put on the album in the first place since it was such an old song at the time).

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Orlando_Magic

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#14 Orlando_Magic
Member since 2002 • 37448 Posts

If you take the 10 best songs from Blueprint 2 it's waaay better than American Gangster. The first 7 songs on disc 2 are prolly the best stretch on that album. It doesn't excuse all the filler but BP2 does have its share of great songs.

change the tracklist to this and listen to it

1. Hovi Baby
2. The Watcher 2 (feat. Dr. Dre & Rakim)
3. All Around the World
4. Poppin' Tags (feat. Sleepy Brown, Twista, Killer Mike & Big Boi)
5. Diamonds Is Forever
6. U Don't Know (Remix) (feat. MOP)
7. Meet the Parents
8. Somehow, Someway (feat. Beanie Sigel & Scarface)
9. Some People Hate
10. Blueprint 2

I remember when LM and me used to argue about Rakim or Jay-Z having the best verse on the Watcher 2 back in the old OTB days.

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Colt45fool

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#15 Colt45fool
Member since 2003 • 79297 Posts
Blueprint 1 >>>>> everything in this thread
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deactivated-5b1e62582e305

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#16 deactivated-5b1e62582e305
Member since 2004 • 30778 Posts

Went ahead and found the original thread from 2007 in case any are curious of what they said back then:http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/26032238/quotamerican-gangsterquot-album-discussion

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Black-Demon

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#17 Black-Demon
Member since 2003 • 28177 Posts

I'm guessing I'm the only cat that likes The Black Album more than The Blueprint.....but I'm also a fella that likes It Was Written more than Illmatic sooooooo lol

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HaSheeSh_basic

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#18 HaSheeSh_basic
Member since 2002 • 12509 Posts

I'm guessing I'm the only cat that likes The Black Album more than The Blueprint.....but I'm also a fella that likes It Was Written more than Illmatic sooooooo lol

Black-Demon

Black Album is better: Fact.

As for It was Written...lmao k bro

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deactivated-5b1e62582e305

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#19 deactivated-5b1e62582e305
Member since 2004 • 30778 Posts

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]

I'm guessing I'm the only cat that likes The Black Album more than The Blueprint.....but I'm also a fella that likes It Was Written more than Illmatic sooooooo lol

HaSheeSh_basic

Black Album is better: Fact.

Word to this.

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Toriko42

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#20 Toriko42
Member since 2006 • 27562 Posts
Blueprint is way better than The Black Album. There is so much variety on the Blueprint and Jay does it all well. Hard hitting disses, party tracks, girl tracks, hard **** like U Don't Know...Amazing album.

There's a lot of good stuff on The Black Album but some real ass tracks too...Justify My Thug being a main offender.

Granted, the good stuff on The Black Album is AMAZING. Stuff like December 4th, 99 Problems, Lucifer, PSA etc. but still it's not enough to take it even close to the Blueprint.
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Black-Demon

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#21 Black-Demon
Member since 2003 • 28177 Posts

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]

I'm guessing I'm the only cat that likes The Black Album more than The Blueprint.....but I'm also a fella that likes It Was Written more than Illmatic sooooooo lol

HaSheeSh_basic

Black Album is better: Fact.

As for It was Written...lmao k bro

After so many years,you still act like Vyse's beaten stepson with opinions on rap. My my my lol

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Colt45fool

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#22 Colt45fool
Member since 2003 • 79297 Posts

[QUOTE="HaSheeSh_basic"][QUOTE="Black-Demon"]

I'm guessing I'm the only cat that likes The Black Album more than The Blueprint.....but I'm also a fella that likes It Was Written more than Illmatic sooooooo lol

Black-Demon

Black Album is better: Fact.

As for It was Written...lmao k bro

After so many years,you still act like Vyse's beaten stepson with opinions on rap. My my my lol

LOL Wasnt there someone else we use to compare to vyse? Constro, right?
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Black-Demon

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#23 Black-Demon
Member since 2003 • 28177 Posts

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]

[QUOTE="HaSheeSh_basic"]Black Album is better: Fact.

As for It was Written...lmao k bro

Colt45fool

After so many years,you still act like Vyse's beaten stepson with opinions on rap. My my my lol

LOL Wasnt there someone else we use to compare to vyse? Constro, right?

Yessuh,I bet guap that him and Hash take turns posting under one account tho'

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HaSheeSh_basic

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#25 HaSheeSh_basic
Member since 2002 • 12509 Posts

Blueprint is way better than The Black Album. There is so much variety on the Blueprint and Jay does it all well. Hard hitting disses, party tracks, girl tracks, hard **** like U Don't Know...Amazing album.

There's a lot of good stuff on The Black Album but some real ass tracks too...Justify My Thug being a main offender.

Granted, the good stuff on The Black Album is AMAZING. Stuff like December 4th, 99 Problems, Lucifer, PSA etc. but still it's not enough to take it even close to the Blueprint. Toriko42
lol ok mr.I-started-listening-to-rap-2-years-ago

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HaSheeSh_basic

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#26 HaSheeSh_basic
Member since 2002 • 12509 Posts

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"][QUOTE="Black-Demon"]

After so many years,you still act like Vyse's beaten stepson with opinions on rap. My my my lol

Black-Demon

LOL Wasnt there someone else we use to compare to vyse? Constro, right?

Yessuh,I bet guap that him and Hash take turns posting under one account tho'

I actually happen to be a dope ass producer in disguise

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iHeartCali

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#27 iHeartCali
Member since 2008 • 6198 Posts

[QUOTE="Toriko42"]Blueprint is way better than The Black Album. There is so much variety on the Blueprint and Jay does it all well. Hard hitting disses, party tracks, girl tracks, hard **** like U Don't Know...Amazing album.

There's a lot of good stuff on The Black Album but some real ass tracks too...Justify My Thug being a main offender.

Granted, the good stuff on The Black Album is AMAZING. Stuff like December 4th, 99 Problems, Lucifer, PSA etc. but still it's not enough to take it even close to the Blueprint. HaSheeSh_basic

lol ok mr.I-started-listening-to-rap-2-years-ago

lmfao
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Black-Demon

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#28 Black-Demon
Member since 2003 • 28177 Posts

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]

[QUOTE="Colt45fool"] LOL Wasnt there someone else we use to compare to vyse? Constro, right?HaSheeSh_basic

Yessuh,I bet guap that him and Hash take turns posting under one account tho'

I actually happen to be a dope ass producer in disguise

"We don't believe you,you need more people"

Ironic that I used that line in this thread

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HaSheeSh_basic

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#29 HaSheeSh_basic
Member since 2002 • 12509 Posts

[QUOTE="HaSheeSh_basic"]

[QUOTE="Black-Demon"]

Yessuh,I bet guap that him and Hash take turns posting under one account tho'

Black-Demon

I actually happen to be a dope ass producer in disguise

"We don't believe you,you need more people"

Ironic that I used that line in this thread

Paypal me $150 and I'll send you a beat. I'll throw in a 2nd beat too for free since we go way back ;)
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Toriko42

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#30 Toriko42
Member since 2006 • 27562 Posts

[QUOTE="Toriko42"]Blueprint is way better than The Black Album. There is so much variety on the Blueprint and Jay does it all well. Hard hitting disses, party tracks, girl tracks, hard **** like U Don't Know...Amazing album.

There's a lot of good stuff on The Black Album but some real ass tracks too...Justify My Thug being a main offender.

Granted, the good stuff on The Black Album is AMAZING. Stuff like December 4th, 99 Problems, Lucifer, PSA etc. but still it's not enough to take it even close to the Blueprint. HaSheeSh_basic

lol ok mr.I-started-listening-to-rap-2-years-ago

And it's a damn shame I have better taste than you. 
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Lakersman2000

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#31 Lakersman2000
Member since 2003 • 15308 Posts

[QUOTE="Toriko42"]Blueprint is way better than The Black Album. There is so much variety on the Blueprint and Jay does it all well. Hard hitting disses, party tracks, girl tracks, hard **** like U Don't Know...Amazing album.

There's a lot of good stuff on The Black Album but some real ass tracks too...Justify My Thug being a main offender.

Granted, the good stuff on The Black Album is AMAZING. Stuff like December 4th, 99 Problems, Lucifer, PSA etc. but still it's not enough to take it even close to the Blueprint. HaSheeSh_basic

lol ok mr.I-started-listening-to-rap-2-years-ago

justify my song is actually a decent track. you aint listening correctly....... 
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Lakersman2000

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#32 Lakersman2000
Member since 2003 • 15308 Posts
Blueprint 1 >>>>> everything in this threadColt45fool
i agree with this guy right here 
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deactivated-5b1e62582e305

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#33 deactivated-5b1e62582e305
Member since 2004 • 30778 Posts

Lakersman? Wow, blast from the past

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Omzzz

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#35 Omzzz
Member since 2010 • 1440 Posts
never change is still one of my top jay songs