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American Gangster (album)

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American Gangster is the tenth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on November 6, 2007 in the United States via the record labels Island Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella. American Gangster is Jay-Z's first concept album, which was inspired by the film of the same name. The album features production from Diddy & The Hitmen, Just Blaze, and The Neptunes, among others. Guest appearances include Beanie Sigel, Lil Wayne, Pharrell and Nas. Jay-Z released an a cappella version of the album on his birthday, December 4, 2007.

Music critics praised American Gangster,[1] and noted that Jay-Z was trying more "complex lyrics".[2] The album was released to significant commercial success, despite being pulled from the iTunes Store,[3] selling 445,000 copies in its first week and debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, tying Elvis Presley for the second most number one albums.[4] The Rolling Stone magazine named American Gangster the third best album of 2007.[5]

Conception

Background

Jay-Z originally stated he recorded nine tracks for the album,[6] but the final track listing accumulated fifteen overall cuts (two bonus tracks). He also stated that almost every song is based on a specific scene from the film.[6] Def Jam executive Tracey Waples noted each track from the album will have its own "mini-film".[7] As for the direction of the album, Jay-Z used personal memories he hadn't touched on in a while, specifically memories from his early life when he lived in Brooklyn's Marcy Projects.[8]

On November 9, 2007, Jay-Z appeared on the Charlie Rose Show to discuss the album.[9] When asked about how the film gave life to this album, he replied:

It's a New York City tale, you know. So as soon as the movie came on, it was like familiar, things that my pop seen and my uncles seen and, you know, different things like that, things I've seen growing up. So they resonated with me in a way, the story, as well as, I mean, even though everything happens, you know, the way it turns out, you know, it's one of those movies that where you champion the bad guy, because the bad guy, you know, he don't seem like a bad guy, and the good guy — I mean the good guys are bad. You know, that complex — the complexity of human beings in this thing was amazing to me. I loved the complexity of the human beings.[10]

Recording

Jay-Z would have the film—American Gangster—playing on the monitors above the recording booth to keep him inspired.[11] In an interview with MTV producer LV from The Hitmen said:

Jay would have the beats...He'd do the record, and he'd send it back to us. We'd fill in the blanks as far as making them full records. From having live horns, live strings, live drummers. This percussion dude, he was coming in with bottles, banging on bottles, just sprinkles of shit. We went all out. We brought in musicians to bring it out. Jay probably just heard a sample and some drums. Once we got the vocals back, we brought in all the extra candy.[12]

Beanie Sigel and Lil Wayne are two of the few featured guest spots on the album, in which Sigel appears on the new version of "Ignorant Shit", and follower Lil Wayne joins Jay-Z on the Beastie Boys-sampling "Hello Brooklyn 2.0".[13] Jay returned the favor on "Mr. Carter" from Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III. Also, fellow New York rapper and once rival Nas, is featured on the No I.D.-produced track "Success", while the Neo soul singer Bilal sings the hook on "Fallin'", but is not officially credited.[14]

Music

Lyrics

Allmusic says that "And that might be the most common complaint about the album — it's really just another case of Jay-Z being Jay-Z, albeit with different presentation. Unless you know each verse from Reasonable Doubt through Kingdom Come, it might sound like he's dealing with no variation on well-worn themes, the exact same thoughts and emotions that make up older tracks about his past as a drug dealer — the rise, the arrogance, the conflictedness, the fall, and all stages in between."[15]

Pitchfork Media reviewer Tom Breihan noted that "'No Hook' has some of the most complicated rhyme-patterns Jay has tried in years":[2]

Stay outta trouble, momma said, as momma sighed

Her fear her youngest son be a victim of homicide

But I gotta get you outta here momma, or I'mma die...inside.

— Jay-Z, "No Hook"

Although Jay-Z says American Gangster was inspired by the movie of the same name, he touches on the topics of censorship and the Jena 6 controversy:[16]

And if Al Sharpton is speaking for me

Somebody get him the word and tell him I don't approve
Tell him I'll remove the curses
If you tell me our schools gon' be perfect

When Jena 6 don't exist Tell him THAT's when I'll stop saying bitch—BIIITCH!

— Jay-Z, "Say Hello"

Production

The Neptunes provide production twice on the album, with the first single "Blue Magic" which is actually a bonus track, and the eighth track "I Know".[17] Diddy and two of his producers known as LV & Sean C, who are from his production team The Hitmen, are responsible for six tracks on the album. They are credited with the second single "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...", "American Dreamin'" (where his other production partner Mario Winans assists), "No Hook", "Party Life", "Pray", and finally "Sweet".[17]

DJ Toomp delivers one track for the album along with additional guitars by Artist/Producer Dean "F.R.E.A.K" Farmer, while Just Blaze is credited for a bonus track and the re-make of "Ignorant Shit".[17] Kanye West mentor No I.D. gives two tracks also, one which he co-produces with Jermaine Dupri and vice versa.[17] Finally, three lesser known producers lend hand to the "Intro", which is credited to Chris Flames and co-production from Idris "Driis" Elba, while Bigg D produces the Beastie Boys sampling-Lil Wayne assisted track, "Hello Brooklyn 2.0".[17]

Release and promotion

Removal from iTunes

Jay-Z pulled American Gangster from the popular iTunes Store. Jay-Z stated "as movies are not sold scene by scene, this collection will not be sold as individual singles."[3] However, the album is available for digital download, in its entirety, at Rocafella.com, Amazon.com and Rhapsody.com.[3] Those who pre-ordered and paid for the entire album from iTunes were still able to download it.

Tour

On October 21, 2007, Jay-Z announced his American Gangster Live tour to promote the album. Jay-Z stated that he would only perform material from American Gangster. The tour consisted of five smaller sized venues across the U.S., starting on November 6, 2007 in L.A. and ending on November 12, 2007 in Philadelphia.[18] According to a statement on the Roc-A-Fella website, the five-city club tour sold out in less than 60 seconds.[19]

A Cappella CD and remixes

Like Jay-Z's 2003 album The Black Album, Jay-Z released an a cappella version of American Gangster. Released in December 2007, the a cappella version of the CD caused a string of remix and mash-up albums by both fans and professional DJs/producers alike. Although none of the remix or mash-up albums have yet reached the public notoriety of The Black Album's The Grey Album, several versions of the CD have made their way into the mainstream.

Several of the notable American Gangster Remix albums are listed below:

Reception

Commercial performance

American Gangster debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Album charts selling 425,861 records in the United States its first week.[4] American Gangster is Jay-Z's tenth number one album officially tying him with Elvis Presley for the second highest number of number one albums behind The Beatles.[25] As of January 12th, 2009, American Gangster has sold over 2 million copies in the United States.

Two singles have been released from American Gangster. The first, "Blue Magic", was released on September 20, 2007, peaking at 55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100,[26] 31 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs,[27] and 17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks.[28] The track's name is a reference to the kind of heroin that Frank Lucas sold in the movie American Gangster, the CD even came in a package similar to the one the heroin came in. The second single, "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..." was released on October 10, 2007, and reached 63 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100,[29] 15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs,[30] and 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks.[31]

Critical response

American Gangster received universal acclaim from music critics.[1] Rolling Stone stated that the album "definitely doesn't have any fluff like Kingdom Come's '30 Something' or 'Beach Chair.' Jay sounds relaxed, no longer worried about impressing anyone. Instead, he follows the story from the uptown dope-king ambition of 'American Dreamin' ' to the big-payback crash of "Fallin'."[32] Entertainment Weekly also added "While Jay-Z does not make the ambitious leap of trying to write from Lucas' point of view, he does use the film's story and period vibe to color his own elaborate legend. On 'American Dreamin',' a Marvin Gaye sample provides the backdrop as Jay-Z wistfully recounts his early days as a wannabe dealer, scheming with his buddies."[33] Allmusic wrote that "While several tracks connected to specific scenes are also rooted in productions trading in the regal grit that made up so much '70s soul, the album is not a straight narrative, broken up by tracks like the boom-clap of 'Hello Brooklyn 2.0' (produced by Bigg D) and the glitzed-out pair of 'I Know' (a half-icing Neptunes layer cake) and 'Ignorant Shit' (where Just Blaze transforms the Isleys' quiet storm staple 'Between the Sheets' into a high-gloss anthem)."[15]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro" (by Idris Elba)Chris Flame, Idris "Driis" Elba*2:01
2."Pray"The Hitmen: Diddy, Sean C & LV4:24
3."American Dreamin'"The Hitmen: Diddy, Sean C & LV, Mario Winans*4:47
4."Hello Brooklyn 2.0" (ft. Lil Wayne)Bigg D3:56
5."No Hook"The Hitmen: Diddy, Sean C & LV3:14
6."Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..."The Hitmen: Diddy, Sean C & LV4:12
7."Sweet"The Hitmen: Diddy, Sean C & LV3:26
8."I Know"The Neptunes3:42
9."Party Life"The Hitmen: Diddy, Sean C & LV4:29
10."Ignorant Shit" (ft. Beanie Sigel)Just Blaze3:41
11."Say Hello"DJ Toomp5:26
12."Success" (ft. Nas)No I.D., Jermaine Dupri*3:30
13."Fallin'"Jermaine Dupri, No I.D.*4:01
14."Blue Magic"The Neptunes4:10
15."American Gangster"Just Blaze3:41

*Co-producer

Additional credits

# Title Notes
1 "Intro"

Arrangers: Hector Delgado & Idris Elba
Guitar: Marty Reid
Additional Strings: Timon Abuptah
Additional vocals: Angel Wood
Dialogue from the motion picture American Gangster, dialogue excerpts spoken by Denzel Washington

2 "Pray"

Songwriters: S. Carter, S. Combs, D. Matthews, L. Coppin, A. Hawkshaw
Sample: "New Earth" by Hank Marvin
Strings & Drums: Mario Winans
Bass clarinet & Bass trombone: Aaron J. Johnson
Bass & Guitar: James Lewis
Vocals: Adonis Shropshire, Carmen Cameron, Cheri Dennis, Leisa Johnson, Shannon Jones, Jayms Madison & A.J. Walker
Additional vocals: Beyoncé Knowles

3 "American Dreamin'"

Songwriters: S. Carter, S. Combs, D. Matthews, L. Coppin, M. Gaye, A. Ross, L. Ware
Sample: "Soon I'll Be Loving You Again" by Marvin Gaye
Bass, Piano & Strings: Arden "Keys" Altino
Live Drums & Strings: Mario Winans
Background vocals: Keon Bryce

4 "Hello Brooklyn 2.0"

Songwriters: S. Carter, D. Carter, D. Baker
Sample: "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" (Section 5, "Hello Brooklyn") by the Beastie Boys
All Instruments: Bigg D

5 "No Hook"

Songwriters: S. Carter, S. Combs, D. Matthews, L. Coppin, B. White
Sample: "Love Serenade" by Barry White
Percussion: Bashiri Johnson
Bass & Guitar: Ed "Wolverine" Goldson
Strings & Drums: Mario Winans
Keyboards, Strings, Rhodes & Piano: Arden "Keyz" Altino
Vocals: Jayms Madison

6 "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..."

Songwriters: S. Carter, S. Combs, D. Matthews, L. Coppin, T. Brenneck, D. Guy, M. Deller, L. Michels, B. Mann
Sample: "Make the Road by Walking" by Menahan Street Band
Arrangement & Tenor Saxophone: Kenneth "Scooter" Whalum
Trumpet: Keyon Harrold & Cameron Johnson
Trombone: Saunders Sermon
Bass & Guitar: Ed "Wolverine" Goldson
Percussion: Bashiri Johnson
Drums: Mario Winans
Addition vocals: Beyoncé Knowles, Cassie & Kanye West

7 "Sweet"

Songwriters: S. Carter, S. Combs, D. Matthews, L. Coppin, R. Love
Sample: "Does Your Mama Know" by Rudy Love & The Love Family
Bass & Guitar: Ed "Wolverine" Goldson
Percussion: Bashiri Johnson
Additional vocals: Cassie, Carmen Cameron & A.J. Walker

8 "I Know"

Songwriters: S. Carter, P. Williams
Additional Vocals: Pharrell Williams

9 "Party Life"

Songwriters: S. Carter, S. Combs, D. Matthews, L. Coppin, W. Hale, D. Stone
Sample: "Get into the Party Life" by Little Beaver
Bass & Guitar: Ed "Wolverine" Goldson
Percussion: Bashiri Johnson
Drums: Mario Winans
Trumpet: Keyon Harrold
Additional vocals: Shannon Jones

10 "Ignorant Shit"

Songwriters: S. Carter, J. Smith, D. Grant, R. Isley, O. Isley, R. Isley, M. Isley, E. Isley, C. Jasper
Sample: "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers

11 "Say Hello"

Songwriters: S. Carter, A. Davis, T. Brocker
Sample: "The Love We Share Is the Greatest of Them All" by Tom Brock
Production coordination: Keke & Amy
Background vocals: Rhonda Robinson

12 "Success"

Songwriters: S. Carter, E. Wilson, N. Jones, L. Ellis
Sample: "Funky Thing (Part 1)" by Larry Ellis & The Black Hammer
Background vocals: Juan "OG" Perez
Dialogue from the motion picture American Gangster, dialogue excerpts spoken by Armand Assante

13 "Fallin'"

Songwriters: S. Carter, J. Dupri, T. Hester
Sample: "Fell for You" by The Dramatics
Background vocals: Bilal

14 "Blue Magic"

Songwriters: S. Carter, P. Williams, D. Foster, T. McElroy, T. Ellis, C. Herron, M. Jones, D. Robinson, B. Kaun
Sample: "Hold On" by En Vogue
Additional Vocals: Pharrell Williams
Dialogue from the motion picture American Gangster, dialogue excerpts spoken by Denzel Washington
Dialogue from the motion picture Frankenstein Directed by James Whale

15 "American Gangster"

Songwriters: S. Carter, J. Smith, C. Mayfield
Sample: "Short Eyes" by Curtis Mayfield
Live Drums: Stillphil
Additional piano: Canei Finch
Alto Saxophone: Andy Snitzer
Tenor Saxophone: Charles Pillow
Trombone: Mike David
Trumpet: Jeff Kievet
Violins: Sandra Park, Sharon Yamada, Sarah Boyle, Jeanine WYnton, Lisa Kim, Minyoung Chang, Matt Lehmann, Liz Lim
Violas: Dawn Hannay & Sue Pray
Cellos: Eileen Moon & Jeanne LeBlanc
Strings Contractor: Sandra Park

Chart history

Charts (2007)[34][35][36][37] Peak
position
Canadian Albums Chart 3
Dutch Albums Chart 64
French Albums Chart 58
Irish Albums Chart 59
Swiss Albums Chart 17
UK Albums Chart 30
U.S. Billboard 200 1
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 1
U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums 1

References

  1. ^ a b Jay-Z: American Gangster (2007): Reviews Metacritic. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Tom Breihan (November 8, 2007). Jay-Z: American Gangster : Pitchfork Media Review. Pitchfork Media. Accessed November 19, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Jay-Z Pulls American Gangster from iTunes XXL (November 6, 2007). Accessed November 6, 2007.
  4. ^ a b Jay-Z Scores 10th #1 Album. XXL (November 14, 2007). Accessed November 19, 2007.
  5. ^ Robert Christgau, David Fricke, Christian Hoard and Rob Sheffield (December 17, 2007). The Top 50 Albums of 2007. Rolling Stone. Accessed December 19, 2007.
  6. ^ a b David M. Halbfinger and Jeff Leeds (September 20, 2007). For Jay-Z, Inspiration Arrives in a Movie. The New York Times. Accessed September 20, 2007.
  7. ^ Omar Burgess (October 4, 2007). Def Jam Speaks on American Gangster Project. HipHopDX. Accessed October 4, 2007.
  8. ^ Lyrical Thought (October 15, 2007). Jay-Z Regrets Kingdom Come, Corrects Kanye. Def Sounds. Accessed October 15, 2007.
  9. ^ Charlie Rose - Jay - Z on YouTube. Accessed November 8, 2007.
  10. ^ A conversation with rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z. Charlie Rose Show (November 9, 2007). Accessed November 7, 2007.
  11. ^ Elliott Wilson (October 19, 2007). Jay-Z: I'll Still Kill (Part I) XXL. Accessed December 2, 2007.
  12. ^ Andres Tardio (October 9, 2007). Jay-Z Delivers The Goods On American Gangster. HipHopDX. Accessed December 2, 2007.
  13. ^ The Official Tracklisting for Jay-Z's American Gangster. XXL. (October 15, 2007). Accessed October 16, 2007.
  14. ^ Discogs.com: Jay-Z - American Gangster. Discogs. Accessed December 13, 2008.
  15. ^ a b Andy Kellman. (((American Gangster > Overview ))) Allmusic. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  16. ^ Jokesta (November 8, 2007). Jay Z Addresses Censoring Hip Hop On New Album, To Debut with 10th Number 1. Def Sounds. Accessed November 19, 2007.
  17. ^ a b c d e The Producers Behind Jay-Z's American Gangster. XXL (October 25, 2007). Accessed October 25, 2007.
  18. ^ Jay-Z Announces American Gangster Live Tour XXL. (October 22, 2007). Accessed November 2, 2007.
  19. ^ Jay-Z's American Gangster Tour Sells Out in Under A Minute XXL. (October 29, 2007). Accessed November 2, 2007.
  20. ^ DJ Skee's "American Godfather" DJ Skee's "American Godfather". Accessed February 4, 2008.
  21. ^ Mick Boogie's "Brooklyn Soul" Mick Boogie's "Brooklyn Soul". Accessed February 4, 2008.
  22. ^ The Passion HiFi's "American Gangster" The Passion HiFi's "American Gangster". Accessed June 20, 2008
  23. ^ Constant [The God]'s "American Convict" Constant's "American Convict". Accessed September 11, 2008
  24. ^ ian charlton's "The American Way" [1]. Accessed September 11, 2008
  25. ^ Katie Hasty. Jay-Z Leapfrogs Eagles, Britney For No. 1 Debut. Billboard. Accessed November 14, 2007.
  26. ^ The Billboard Hot 100 – Blue Magic. Billboard. Accessed October 11, 2007.
  27. ^ Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Blue Magic. Billboard. Accessed October 11, 2007.
  28. ^ Hot Rap Tracks – Blue Magic. Billboard. Accessed October 11, 2007.
  29. ^ Billboard+Hot+100&ci=3088797&cdi=9547396&cid=12%2F15%2F2007 The Billboard Hot 100 – Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... Billboard. Accessed December 6, 2007.
  30. ^ Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... Billboard. Accessed December 6, 2007.
  31. ^ Hot Rap Tracks – Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... Billboard. Accessed December 6, 2007.
  32. ^ Rob Sheffield (November 15, 2007). Jay-Z – American Gangster Review. Rolling Stone. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  33. ^ Neil Drumming (October 29, 2007). American Gangster | Music Review. Entertainment Weekly. Accessed November 5, 2007.
  34. ^ Jay-Z – American Gangster. aCharts. Accessed November 15, 2007.
  35. ^ Albums : Top 100 – 11 November, 2007 (for the Week Ending 15 November, 2007). Canoe – Jam! Music. Accessed November 15, 2007.
  36. ^ Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – American Gangster. Billboard. Accessed November 18, 2007.
  37. ^ Top Rap Albums – American Gangster. Billboard. Accessed November 18, 2007.


Preceded by Billboard 200 number-one album
November 18, 2007 - November 24, 2007 		Succeeded by


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