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Following up his crossover-ridden return from retirement KINGDOM COME, Jay-Z presents a concept album, AMERICAN GANGSTER, inspired by the Ridley Scott movie of the same name. Contentwise, Jay is in his element, spinning street corner imagery ... Full Descriptionand tales of the drug trade in the same spirit as the film, while, on the production end, 1970s R&B and soul samples dominate. The production team of Diddy, LV, and Sean C accounts for much of the record's cohesion, providing six beats built on loops from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Barry White, and Rudy Love & the Love Family.
Jigga finds plenty room to get jiggy on tracks like "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)," "Party Life," and "I Know," a Neptunes-produced gem that sounds like a tricked-out "It Ain't Hard to Tell." Undoubtedly Jay's tightest effort since 2001's THE BLUEPRINT, AMERICAN GANGSTER features a few choice guest verses from Lil Wayne, Beanie Siegel, and Nas.Rolling Stone (p.191) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[With] live horns, grooving on some kind of Afro-beat riff over Seventies rumble-in-the-jungle funk..."
Rolling Stone (p.108) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Top Albums of the Year 2007" -- "AMERICAN GANGSTER is tripped out on a Seventies-funk fantasia."
Entertainment Weekly (p.103) - "[Jay-Z uses] the film's story and period vibe to color his own elaborate legend....On 'Fallin',' the record's emotional climax, Jay-Z raps frantically as the walls close in."
Uncut (p.91) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[H]ere his favoured old soul classicism -- say, on 'American Dreamin' or 'ROC Boys' -- provides the best backdrop for his rhymes."
Q (Magazine) (p.103) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "AMERICAN GANGSTER sounds reassuringly expensive, with a hotshot production team including Just Blaze, Pharrell and Diddy's Hitmen crew." Hide Description Jay-Z American Gangster Songs Purchase American Gangster CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Ugk Underground Kingz CDs (2007)
American Gangster album
 $15.35  
Long before Houston rap came to define the sound of the Dirty South, UGK (the Underground Kingz), along with the Geto Boys, were holdin' it down strong for H-Town. While the duo of Bun B and Pimp C never achieved major cross-over success--spitting woozy gangsta tales a few too many years before mainstream radio was prepared for them--they gained a loyal fanbase and the respect of their fellow MCs (chief among them Jay-Z, who featured UGK on his classic track "Big Pimpin'").
After a brief separation marked by prison time for Pimp C and solo albums by both, UGK came back strong on UNDERGROUND KINGZ, a sprawling dripped-and-draped Dirty South block-rocker. A veritable who's-who from across the entire hip-hop spectrum pay their respects here, including ...
| | 50 Cent Curtis CD (2007)
American Gangster CD music
$10.85 
Curtis Jackson is New York hip-hop king 50 Cent's real name, so the title of his third album, CURTIS, implies that everybody's favorite gangsta is keeping it as real as possible. Considering how much 50 Cent's rep and raison d'etre revolve around his hoodlum background and take-no-prisoners approach, he surely does seem to be aiming for some kind of home truth here. The album kicks off with a brace of violent, in-your-face, thug-life scenarios ("My Gun Go Off," "Man Down," "I'll Still Kill"), as if 50 is underscoring his hardcore credentials for those who wonder whether fame has softened his attack.
Later on, with 50's street cred safely in place, he ventures a bit further afield. Collaborations with smoothies Justin Timberlake ("Ayo
Technology") and Robin Thicke ("Follow My Lead") add some melodic ...
| | Kanye West Graduation CD (2007)
American Gangster music CDs
$10.85 
Given the remarkable critical and commercial success of 2005's LATE REGISTRATION, Kanye West's rich, rewarding sophomore release, expectations were high for 2007's GRADUATION. Ever savvy, West flouts those expectations by delivering a record that delivers curveballs while staying true to his sharply sculpted, commercially minded m.o. West's rapping, never his greatest strength, is still entertaining. He delivers witty, smart, sometimes absurd rhymes (he seems to take more lyrical chances on GRADUATION) that fit nicely with the overall feel of his tracks.
As usual, it's West's productions that stand out. While there are examples of his style-defining use of classic R&B samples and background choirs (as on the feel-good highlight "I Wonder"), West streamlines his sound to center on synth-driven lines, giving many of the tracks a retro-electro new wave feel. "Stronger," for example, another standout, is powered by a vocoder-drenched vocal sample courtesy of French dance superstars Daft Punk, which finds West again more comfortable in hip-hop's uncharted waters. The overall results make for a fun, inventive album that offers proof that West still has tricks up his sleeve.
Personnel: Connie Mitchell, Tanya Herron (vocals); Young Jeezy (rap vocals); Mike Dean (guitars); Gloria Justen, Luigi Mazzocchi, Eric Gorfain, Igor Szwec, Daphne Chen, Emma Kummrow, Olga Konopelsky, Charles Parker (violin); Alexandra Leem, Peter Nocella, Leah Katz, ...
| | Keyshia Cole Just Like You CD (2007)
American Gangster songs
$12.45
On her highly anticipated second album, JUST LIKE YOU, R&B vocalist Keyshia Cole solidifies her celebrated status with an assured set of songs. A more personal outing than the performer's debut, THE WAY IT IS, this 2007 record also boasts even more star power than its predecessor, a notion confirmed by the free-spirited lead single, "Let It Go," which features Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim. Other highlights of JUST LIKE YOU prove to be "Get My Heart Back" and the Rodney Jerkins-produced "Shoulda Let You Go," both lovelorn ballads that help to balance out the album's more club-oriented tracks, and fully showcase ...
| | Alicia Keys As I Am CD (2007)
American Gangster album
$15.05
The third full-length from contemporary R&B diva Alicia Keys is called AS I AM, a title that adequately reflects the album's straightforward, confessional soul-pop. Keys built her popularity making stylish, reflective, voice-&-piano music; AS I AM continues that trend, albeit in a poppier vein that balances neatly between neo-soul and adult contemporary. This is reflected in the mid-tempo grooves, songs of empowerment ("Superwoman"), and stirring ballads ("The Thing About Love").
Keys's collaborators on the album include songwriter Linda Perry, who co-wrote three of the album's tracks, and John Mayer, who twines voices with Keys on the sensual "Lesson Learned." Top-notch arrangements, which include gorgeous, retro-tinged flourishes via strings and horns, make the set shimmer, but it's the strength of the hook-heavy tunes and Keys's moving performances that make AS I AM stick. It's not the five-star album she's capable of, but it leaves little doubt that Keys is moving steadily in that direction.
Personnel: Alicia Keys (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, harpsichord, Wurlitzer organ, Mellotron, synthesizer, bass synthesizer, Moog synthesizer, string synthesizer, vocoder, programming, background vocals); Jack Splash (various instruments, programming); Ron Haney, Peter Thorn, David Ryan Harris, John "Jubu" Smith (guitar); John Salvatore Scaglione (guitars); Steve Mostyn (acoustic guitar, bass guitar); ...
| | Rick Ross Trilla CD (2008)
American Gangster CD music
$12.45 
This second album by Miami (by way of Haiti) rapper Rick Ross is one of the most hotly anticipated sophomore releases of the year. This collection is a more than respectable follow-up to his monster debut. The album--produced by J-Rock, the Runners, Cool & Dre, and others--features the hit single "Speedin'," with guest singer R. Kelly.
Two years after the Trick Daddy protégé hit the scene with his exceptional debut, PORT MIAMI, Rick Ross follows up with another thorough studio album rife with vivid gangsta storytelling ...
| | Various Artists Spotlite On Jubilee Records Vol. 3 CD (1995)
American Gangster music CDs
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| | Holger Biege Wenn Der Abend Kommt/Circulus CD (1994) (Import) Germany
American Gangster songs
$13.15
| | B C & M Mass Choir Oh Happy Day CD (2003)
American Gangster album
$6.35
| | Strawbs Heartbreak Hill - The Platinum Edition CD (2006) (Import) Import; United Kingdom
American Gangster CD music
$32.35
Digitally remastered edition of the classic from the Strawbs catalogue. The long-lost ...
| | Joe Nacco Head Of A Monkey CD (2004)
American Gangster music CDs
$8.49
| | Kenny Smith Contents Under Pressure CD (2006)
$9.35 | | Immortal Soul Something Special CD (2007)
$16.39 | | Rasaq Get Green & Stay Clean: Screwed CD (2007) Chop
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American Gangster Music Review Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews Jay is the truth!!
This cd's amazing.. Im speechless rite now lol I dont even kno what to say.. Classic!
Submitted by Zeekforlife23 (Kent, Washington, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
Loved it
Im not an advid rap fan, but I dabble and this CD blew my mind. I admit that Jay-z is my favorite rapper and he proves with this album why I keep coming back.
Submitted by stubbytoe04 (Oakland, Ca)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No EAST COAST
CLASSIC
Submitted by Nasty NaS Is Illmatic (Reedley, Ca, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No The Champ Is Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Jay brought it back to The orange CD! Volume 1. Yall People Better Recognize. This album is HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT !!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Liquer4sale (Flint, M.I)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No come on
look it may have not been his best work, but it still did the job. Its a period piece, and that's what he represented, for the real hip hop fan, J told story after story on this album, for the casual fan he dropped roc boys,to let you know he can still do it. good solid album.
Submitted by hotbj_99 (baton rouge)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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