Rapper and CEO of Def Jam Records, Jay-Z, announced on September 20 that he is making a comeback to the rap game. In an interview that he did with the New York Times he stated that his main inspiration for his new album is the movie “American Gangster”, starring Denzel Washington and Clifford “T.I” Harris.
Jay-Z said. “It was like I was watching the film, and putting it on pause, and giving a back story to the story.” The rest of his interview with the New York Times can be read on www.nobodysmiling.com.
The movie is based on the true story of Harlem drug dealer Frank Lucas, played by Denzel Washington. It is based back in the 1970’s and chronicles Lucas’s rise and fall in the drug game. Also the trailer for the movie contains parts of one of Jay-Z’s songs, the song is “Ain’t no love (Heart of the city)”.
Jay-Z, who has spoken about his drug dealing endeavors on his past albums felt like he could connect with Frank Lucas.
Jay-Z said. “It immediately clicked with me. Like “Scarface” or any one of those films, you take the good out of it and you can see it as an inspiring film.” This is part of the New York Times interview that is on www.nobodysmiling.com.
The first single for this album is called “Blue Magic”, named after the most potent type of heroin that Lucas used to sell. It is produced by and features Pharrell Williams. Pharrell also produced the song “I Know”, which features Jay rapping about a girl being lured in to the life of drug addiction, with Jay playing the role of the drugs. It is supposed to sound like a love song, with a deep, dark meaning.
The next single will be entitled “Roc Boys” and was produced by Diddy. Also the performers on the album include soul singer, Bilal, fellow Roc a Fella Records rapper, Beanie Siegel, and Nas.
As of now the album is still under construction, a listening party that Jay held at the 40/40 club on October 5.
As always Jus Blaze makes an appearance, DJ Toomp, the man that produced T.I’s “What U Know’ and Jermaine Dupri, and the albums last song, “The Demise”.
The album is going to have a 70’s soul sound to it, thanks in part to Diddy’s funky beats.
In regards to Diddy’s beats Jay-Z said, “I go to the studio and he’s playing all these tracks. And it hit, the [70’s] time period. But, he didn’t know about it [the album]. I’m like, ‘What are you doing with all these tracks?’ He’s like, ‘I just don’t have anybody to give them to.’ I was like, ‘Let me get those and it really set the [tone for the album],'” Jay admits. (
This album for Jay will be his second in less than a year. The album is set to be released on November 6. His last album, “Kingdom Come”, came out last year on November 21. According to www.nobodysmiling.com “Kingdom Come” was his lowest selling album since 1997 when he released “In My Lifetime Volume 1” which only sold 1.5 million copies.
The soundtrack for “American Gangster” is set to be released by Def Jam Records, the label that Jay-Z is in charge of. Although the album from Jay-Z, also entitled “American Gangster”, is a concept album about the movie it is not the official soundtrack.
www.allhiphop.com)