"...cos they forgot to account what I did with the raw."
First of all, American Gangster the movie. It was very long, but I didn't notice it dragging anywhere. It was very well made, and told the story of Frank Lucas, a real life drug dealer who built his own drug empire in Harlem in the 60s and 70s. Russell Crowe plays the policeman who tries to track him down. Denzel and Russell were both great, but I loved spotting the rappers in the supporting cast. Common is Frank's brother, TI is his cousin, and RZA was some dude I can't remember. My favourite though was British actor Idris Elba, otherwise known as Stringer Bell from The Wire. Elba is also a DJ and performed and produced the opening track on Jay-Z's album. It is rated MA15+, so don't expect kittens dancing on rainbows. But the violence is justified plotwise. Check it out!
Now, American Gangster the album. I freakin' love this. Jay was inspired by the movie and delivered a record with a stylised interpretation of his drug-dealing in the 80s. Diddy and the Hitmen provide six tracks, with 70s-style horns giving the tracks the "bounce" that Jay looks for. Kanye West's mentor No ID produces "Success", feat. Nas, while Just Blaze also has a shot with "Ignorant Sh**". Jay's rap is fast, clever and sharp. Good to see Grayhova inspired and doing the biz.
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