The Blueprint

The Blueprint is the sixth studio album by rapper Jay-Z, released through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2001 at Manhattan Center Studios and Baseline Studios in New York City. Contrasting the radio-friendly sound of Jay-Z’s previous work, The Blueprint features soul-based sampling and production handled primarily by Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Bink, as well as Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Eminem, who also contributes the album’s sole guest feature.

The Blueprint was praised by music critics, particularly for Jay-Z’s performance and the album’s soul-based soundscape. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time as well as one of the greatest albums ever made in general. In 2018, the album was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” becoming the first entry created in the 21st century.

Track listing

1. “The Ruler’s Back”—3:50

2. “Takeover”—5:13

3. “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”—4:00

4. “Girls, Girls, Girls”—4:35

5. “Jigga That Nigga”—3:24

6. “U Don’t Know”—3:19

7. “Hola’ Hovito”—4:33

8. “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)”—3:43

9. “Never Change”—3:59

10. “Song Cry”—5:04

11. “All I Need”—4:27

12. “Renegade” (featuring Eminem)—5:38

13. “Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)”—3:41

Hidden tracks

1. “Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise)”—3:45

2. “Girls, Girls, Girls (Part 2)”—4:14