JagBytes

Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Entertainment

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After his critically acclaimed album "The Black Album," Sean "Jay-Z" Carter said that he would put down the microphone and retire from the industry after being named President and CEO of Def Jam Records.

However, in November of last year he came out of retirement and dropped another platinum-selling album "Kingdom Come." The album received mixed reviews, but sales were off the charts. Just a year later he's back with his second album since his retirement, "American Gangster."

Jay-Z seems to be going back to his roots, albums like "Reasonable Doubt" and "In My Lifetime Vol.1."

"Pray" has a nice beat with the same rhymes Jay-Z rhymes we've heard since day one. "American Dreamin" has a weaker beat than what some fans are used to hearing in today's industry but Jay-Z's flow and presence make up for it.

"Hello Brooklyn 2.0" is a bass-filled track featuring Lil' Wayne. Wayne's sing-song-like flow doesn't work well on the track, but Jay-Z keeps the song interesting.

While this album isn't nearly as a classic as "Reasonable Doubt," it's certainly going to win over more fans while keeping loyal ones happy. Jay is almost 40 and if he keeps it up, he'll be rapping when he's 80.

Contact Trent Dilts at tdilts@iupui.edu.

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