Jay-Z’s 11th studio album, and the third with the name Blueprint, dropped Sept. 8.
The rapper wanted to release the album on Sept. 11, the eighth anniversary of the original Blueprint, but he was forced to move the date after it was leaked to the internet.
While the move ruins the symmetry of the release date, it's likely to ensure that Blueprint 3 debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
When it does it will be Jay-Z’s 11th number-one album. The achievement will move him out of a tie with Elvis Presley and into sole possession of second place on the list of most number-one albums of all-time. The only artist in front of Jay-Z is The Beatles (19).
Blueprint 3 has received generally positive reviews. Many claim it’s his best work since the original Blueprint while even more purport it’s better than Blueprint 2: The Gift and The Curse.
Regardless, Blueprint 3 is an accessible and consistent collection of hip hop gems. The album’s 15 tracks appeal to hardcore fans of the genre as well as causal adherents.
The album features appearances from Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Pharrell and Young Jeezy. Just about every track has a different producer although West, Timbaland and No I.D. do most of the heavy lifting. The album was executive produced by Jay-Z and West.
To support Blueprint 3, Jay-Z will embark on 18-date tour of North America.
Tickets for these Jay-Z concerts are already on sale.
The tour kicks off Oct. 9 at University Park, Pennsylvania and wraps up with
Jay-Z in Austin, Texas on Nov 22. “Hova” will also visit Seattle, Fresno and
Albuquerque.
Before starting this tour, Jay-Z has to endure a hectic schedule that sees him performing a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, two different stints in the U.K. supporting Coldplay and appearances on both the new Jay Leno Show and MTV’s Video Music Awards.
At the VMA's, Jay-Z will take the stage with Keyes and perform his tribute to New York City, "Empire State of Mind." This will be the first time Jay-Z performs the Blueprint 3 track live.
For Leno’s premiere, Jay-Z, with buddies West and Rihanna, will perform Blueprint 3’s second single, “Run This Town.”
For fans of Jay-Z's b-ball team, the New Jersey Nets, it looks like they'll be making their move to Brooklyn in 2010.
With progress being made on various legal issues, Jay-Z is hoping to begin stadium construction this December in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Prospect Heights. It will take about a year to complete the stadium.
According to Jay-Z, when the team moves they will also change their name to the Brooklyn Nets.
Also launching a tour in the beginning of October is the controversial R&B star R. Kelly. The Ladies Make Some Noise! Tour launches Oct. 8 and is currently scheduled to make 36 stops. While dates and cities have been announced, venues for the
R. Kelly’s concerts have yet to be released.
Kelly is touring in support of his ninth studio album, “Untitled,” which is scheduled to drop on Oct. 13.
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