Jay-Z to Release American Gangster Concept Album, Future With Def Jam Uncertain

Trailer for American Gangster Starring Denzel Washington

The mystery of the new Jay-Z album and its relationship to the upcoming movie American Gangster has been resolved by an article in the NY Times:

Jay-Z, the rap superstar and president of Def Jam Records, has quietly returned to the studio to record an album of new songs inspired by the forthcoming movie "American Gangster," his first "concept" album and second CD in less than a year.

The album, which his label plans to release in early November, came together over the past few weeks after Jay-Z was shown the film, directed by Ridley Scott, in which Denzel Washington portrays Frank Lucas, a early 1970s Harlem heroin kingpin.

Jay-Z's not in the movie and though an older song of his has turned up on the trailer it's unclear whether he's on the actual soundtrack or not though it sounds like they're open to chopping things up given the unsteady history of the American Gangster movie.  Def Jam is releasing the official soundtrack as well with music by the Staple Singer, Bobby Womack and Sam & Dave.

Apparently Jay-Z gets to go down memory lane when he was a big drug dealer [on earlier albums], or dealt on the corner for big fish, whatever.  He also gets to align himself with a major criminal who snitched yet disassociate himself from that element of Frank Lucas' past in a song off the new album called No Hook:

Please don't compare me to other rappers. Compare me to trappers.

I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris. And Lude is my dude, I ain't trying to dis.

Just like Frank Lucas is cool, but I ain't tryin' to snitch.

I'm-a follow the rules, no matter how much time I'm-a get.

I'm-a live and die with the decisions that I'm-a pick.

I'm sure it's exactly the kind of thing Jay-Z's audience will eat up.

When asked about his relationship with Def Jam:
In the interview he deflected questions about his future. "I would love to work it out" and stay at Def Jam, he said, but he added that he was wavering and would do some "soul-searching" after finishing the album.

Bringing his issues out in the open with Def Jam is a big statement for Jay-Z who usually keeps these kinds of things quiet till it's time to move.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
It's Official: Jay-Z's American Gangster Album Due Nov. 6
American Gangster: New Denzel Movie, New Jay-Z Album

Comments

[88keyz Promotions]

Only Hova!The American Gangster Concept Defines the profound negiborhood trap dealer to the "Career Mougle"... "
"Somebody get at me about promoteing and marketing this in the Carolina Reigon"...
FLYRS OR SOMETHIN:/
FREE JENA 6..
>>>>>

[Jarrett]

Jay still playing up that Mr. Mysterious angle, I see.

I wouldn't be surprised if this album doesn't do as well as folks think it will.

The parallels with Michael Jordan are becoming more clear now.

[Clyde Smith]

I think this one could work for a lot of reasons. At least we don't have to wait long to find out!

[Esham]

AMERICAN GANGSTER AKA REASONABLE DOUBT II.
JAY IS THE MAN!!!!

[Lawanna]

I am excited, whereas I have bought a good number of Jay's Albums including Kingdom Come, and Hollywood was my favorite single on that Joint. However the album I loved the most from Jay-Z was surely Reasonable Doubt.

I see Jay is still looking to keep it gangsta with all that he does. Like he said on Hollywood, Gangsta is just as addictive, he can't let go. I ain't mad at it him.

Peace.

Reasonable doubt is never to be matched

[francis]

i have waited so long and so far the songs i have heard remind me of reasonable doubt and blueprint..hope he kills this album..hip hop needs this!