American Gangster

Sean C. came back...again. I guess I never really called it a comeback, should I have? The buzz was that "American Gangster" was gonna be the record that should have followed the "Black Album" instead of "Kingdom Come." So here's the deal on Jay's (concept??) album about his hustling, inspired by the Denzel and Russell vehicle of the same name, simply put.... its alright. The beats get a little boring ("Hello Brooklyn") the rhymes get pretty sweet at times ("seems as though our plans to get a grant/ to go to college/ didn't pan or even out"). All in all, the buzz (or expectations) in my head around this album was a bit too much for it to live up to. It's too bad Rihanna couldn't spice it up a bit. Eh, anyone? B-