American Gangster Rap
by Gordon HurdNov 1, 2007
Jay-Z's been counted out a few times, particularly after his disappointing return from retirement. Regardless, the King of New York is once again sitting pretty thanks to his upcoming album “inspired by” the movie “American Gangster.”
As the story goes, the iconic rapper was so moved by a September screening of the Denzel Washington movie, he set out to put his feelings to music. Jay-Z's aural interpretation of the Frank Lucas story (Hollywood-style) may be the most important rap concept album of the year—or the only rap concept album of the year. Regardless of its place in the canon, advance reviews of Jay-Z’s quick-turnaround project are hailing it as a return to his original sound.
New Yorker critic David Denby may lament the deification of a gangster in the Ridley Scott-directed film, yet we think both Jay-Z and Frank Lucas are street antiheros that even the New Yorker can’t depose. Searches for “jay z american gangster album” surged 177% over the past week, a sign the King may soon be back on his throne.