I love it how people come on here and say "jay-z is average" did you listen to the album? obviously not haha.. do you know what a blueprint is and why he calls them the blueprint? he trys new things.. and people take what they want from it to progress rap.. was pretty funny to hear death of autotune.. he abviously listened to kanyes album too many times hahahah .. good album.. i bet the haters will be the first ones to bag out 50s new one too.. if you dont like rap.. go listen to the breeze man...

I like Jay-Z and can appreciate that he one of the greats even though he is no Eric B or Public Enemy.

How can people on hear call an albuma classic when its been out for a few weeks, Dark Side of the Moon, on the charts for over 13 years, now that is a classic.

@ Matty - haha, I was just going to say the same thing about the Spice Girls. Big sales doesn't equal quality people.

Jay-Z is insanely talented, but I think he can do better.

@ #6.. its the ROC, not the ROCK. Bad review, excellent album. Thank You, Already Home, As Real As It Gets are my favourite songs on the album. You should write a review on Kid Cudi Man on the Moon when you get your hands on it and we will see if you can write a hip hop review.

To all the hysterical Jay-Z fanboys, you really need to look around a bit more. This album is getting mixed reviews all over the world - some like it, some dont. Chris doesn't, and as a critic it's his job to state his feelings. At the end of the day it should be nothing to you but one person's opinion. If you're that much into Jay-Z then buy it and ignore what critics say, make your own minds up.

But just because someone sells a lot of albums doesn't make them good in everyone's eyes. Remember the Spice Girls sold millions too, so they must be awesome, right? Not to me.

One thing I will say about the album though is it reinforces my hatred for Rihanna as a singer (I'm sure she's a lovely girl IRl but rather gullible). Her nasal, whiny style has grated from day one, she wrecked Run This Town for me. I can never get enough of Alicia Keys though. Again, these are opinions.

I have read all the reviews.. but as always you have to listen to them album yourself. I love this album! It is so entertaining! Jay z has done it all, and I was not looking for him to reinvent the wheel again. With all the things I have going on in my life, this album gives me a whole new sound, and great, fun, and clever lyrics from jay z coasting. I love the 1st track, great track for jay and points for being innovative and diff. I love haters!, too much fun, love already gone, the albums best joint lyrically, overall I like 10 songs alot. the only ones I dont like are the song with jeezy. Please stop rapping, I hate that guy. and reminder, the hook is straight from the exorcist. other than that, I have been bumping this on volume 10 everyday for the last week!! dont hate you haters!!

Jay Z is average, u all know it. this is just another driblle of music that is behind its times, for someone that could produce so much better you can say this is the album of the year. Just because 450000+ muppets bought it doesnt mean squat. Ne chump can sell records.

I wish I didn't lose the first comment I made. I left comment here first on this site, but for some reason I lost it. I respect your opinion, dear critic, but this one is a little off the discussion. Your view on the album tells you probably skipped through the album like one does some garbage evening news channels. Well, this one is not. This is an instant "classic" or "close to classic". If it was a piece of news, it would be one of the stories of the year. Perhaps, I shouldn't go that far... The only thing wrong with the album is inconsistent production. Definitely, that should not be a fault since there are about 11 different producers. I, honestly, would not say it's better than BPI, but I would say it's a good work of art. I love #1 (with Luke I think), DOA, Run This Town, Empire... (with lovely Alicia Keys ), Forever Young, Already Home, So Ambitious (LISTEN TO MUSIC PEOPLE). I'm not gonna go as far as telling you to quit what you love doing. Just don't follow the BANDWAGON again pls. Don't compare this and Kingdome Come pls. I'm not his fan; I appreciate good music though (Just like I appreciated "Reasonable Doubt", (3rd Album), Blueprint "I" & "III" (and just like I appreciated "Illmatic". So I'm out of your site, and "On to d Next One".

hip hop albums never ever get a good review here..stick to reviewing the beatles & the spice girls chris...u need sir vere or kerry buchanan reviewing..someone who knows what they on about...no noone cares what u think....we alreasy brought it & enjoy it so get back 2 your hip hop police office

YO, word up, this review guy have no idea what is going on, this guy aint from Kansas his from Lancaster!!! Jay is the man, this is one on the best albums that got released for a really long time, the message the story, the beats, the whole music the whole album is off the hook, for anyone out there that actually agrees with this review guy then you JUST DON'T GET IT, just leave hip hop to its people man..coz you just aint listenin>>review guy...dude seriously..go review spice girls or something like that, or just get another job where you can go runin your mouth somewhere else away from HIPHOP