We all thought Jiggaman retired after releasing The Black Album, but no one was surprised when he came back with Kingdom Come. So why are people surprised now that he “came out of retirement” to record ‘American Gangster’? Jay-Z is the Frank Lucas of the rap industry, and if anyone was meant to make this album, it was him.
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Jay-Z
|  Entertainment
 Art
"American Gangster"
(Roc-A-Fella)
Released November 6, 2007
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Questions about retirement aside, American Gangster turned out to be Hov’s tenth album to debut at number one on the billboard charts here in the U.S. Though the LP was inspired by the film, and each song represents a scene or part of the movie, it’s not to be considered a soundtrack. Jay-Z went into the project to make a concept album -an idea which he was criticized for- and many people doubted his ability to execute it successfully. Even the film’s producer, Brian Grazer, didn’t think Jay would be able to make an album that felt authentic enough to be the soundtrack.
Whether or not you choose to look at the record as a soundtrack, the songs are overflowing with the same super-gangster, king-of-the-trap, running-the-streets feel that you get from the film, and from Denzel Washington’s character especially. Listening to the album it’s easy to tell that Jay-Z related to Frank Lucas as a character and the film as a whole.
American Gangster is reminiscent of both The Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt in the lyrical sense, and a lot of breakthroughs were made as far as the rap industry goes. For instance, Jay and Nas collaborated on one of the tracks, “Success”, after having one of the most publicized beefs in hip-hop history. Not only that, Hov is now tied with Elvis’s record for having ten albums debut at number one, which speaks volumes about how far hip-hop has come in the U.S.
Musically, the CD is good and the goal of a concept album was definitely accomplished, but as a rap album it didn’t stand out to me. Hip-hop and rap are the musical loves of my life so I’m not drawing straws when it comes to this genre, and I just wasn’t blown away by it. I believe Jay-Z to be one of the best rappers in the game right now, and he puts out great albums, but this one was nowhere near his best work. If there wasn’t a movie behind this CD I don’t think it would’ve done as well, but then again it is Jay-Z, and he’s always hand-in-hand with success.
So, if you were/are really into the film then I’d totally recommend it be the next addition to your CD collection.
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