End of Discussion: Why Jay-Z's "The Blueprint" Is Better Than "Reasonable Doubt"
By Insanul Ahmed | Sep 12, 2011 | 1:51 pm | Permalink
You love to have the argument, again and again: what’s the best Jay-Z album, Reasonable Doubt or The Blueprint? Both are absolute classics in every sense of the word—but only one can reign supreme. That’s why the debate rages on in Internet comment sections, in barber shops, in the Complex offices, and any other place rap fans happen to congregate. Which is better: Jigga’s 1996 debut? Or his sixth studio album—released a full decade ago, in the midst of his epic battle with Nasty Nas?
Sure, there are other contenders. The Black Album and Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life are both amazing, Vol. 3...The Life and Times of S. Carter, and In My Life Time, Vol. 1 are dope too, and American Gangster is better than it usually gets credit for—but it always boils down to RD vs TBP. It’s a never-ending debate, the hip-hop version of Lebron vs Kobe, Pepsi vs Coke, Mac vs PC.
Now that we’ve reached the 10-year anniversary of The Blueprint, this argument’s gotten to be as old as a 5th grader. We already picked Jay's 100 Best Songs so we decided it was time to settle the big debate once and for all, so we broke each album down on the basis of twelve crucial categories, from beats and flows right down to cover art.
Based on our scientific analysis of both, Complex can finally put an end to all the speculation—way beyond a reasonable doubt. Yeah, we said it: The Blueprint is better. So click through, read up, and find out why The Blueprint gets top honors in the Hov Hall of Fame.
Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)
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Aqua174 September 12th, 2011 at 02:14 PM
The sped up soul samples on The Blueprint were not innovative. Kanye West himself has said he was inspired by the RZA (see: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...).
@N_C_B September 12th, 2011 at 03:05 PM
I disagree, Aqua. RZA was phenomenal, and was in many ways a pioneer, but he was building off of what Muggs did as much as Kanye was building off him. In a climate of all keyboard beats Kanye, Bink, JB & Jay bucked all conventions and combined the sampling techniques of the early nineties with the pop engineering and sonics of the late 90s. And everyone followed their lead.
aqua September 13th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
I think saying RZA was building on what Muggs was doing is a stretch. Not saying he didn't see/hear Muggs' work and he wasn't possibly influenced by it. But RZA has specifically said he is a product of Marley Marl, Prince Paul and Large Professor. Did The Blueprint's producers spawn a new legion of followers? Sure. But you can't not mention where Kanye got the idea, which he says so here: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1096499,00.html Nevertheless, great piece.
BPM September 14th, 2011 at 02:26 PM
Thank you!! Kanye credited his style to RZA and listening to supreme clientel in college SEVERAL times! Where you got muggs from is INSANITY! How you would think RZA bit off ANYBODY is even crazier!! You name 1 cypress hill joint with sped up samples pre temple of boom and I'll listen! show me some proof that you have lol cause thats a bullshit statement! I mean...was muggs on kanyes last 2 albums lol? alright then...and Muggz is one of my idols as well, but RZA has said a million times where he was influenced from.CMON SON! *ed lover voice*
@N_C_B September 15th, 2011 at 12:22 AM
"How I Could Just Kill A Man" is a sped up soul sample. One that RZA touched later, too, for the record.
Kang Munir September 15th, 2011 at 03:39 AM
Muggs style was mainly sampled basslines and high pitched stabs for his first two albums. RZA music wasn't sampled bassline driven. Bass seems to be an afterthought for RZA. He did like using high pitched samples so that can possibly can be attributed to Muggs. I think more that was sample based producers were response Death Row era Dr. Dre moog keyboard lines. The influence of RZA and Havoc on Muggs is more apparent to me on the Soul Assasins era Muggs than the influence of early Muggs on RZA. And soul samples? Everybody been sampling soul Pete Rock, Preme, Diamond D and on. RZA just wasn't scared to have vocals in his loops and chops. Muggs use of vocal samples was more of a stab orientation.
C'monSon September 15th, 2011 at 05:04 AM
I think J.Dilla deserves just as muc credit if not MORE than Rza for inspiring KanYe.
HOIEGYP September 12th, 2011 at 02:25 PM
Sure they were Aqua, did you hear them before in the way Kanye made them sound? Didn't think so.
Jo7 September 12th, 2011 at 02:29 PM
"...as both Weezy and Just Bleezy would go on..."....... you mean Yeezy. Well written article. Minor proofreading fail.
Complex September 12th, 2011 at 02:54 PM
Fixed. Thanks.
Beyond8Infinity September 12th, 2011 at 02:38 PM
Even tho a lot of my favorite Hov records come from TBP, i appreciate conceptual albums more so i say RD is better. I still have to agree with this post Blueprint is pound for pound Jay's best album.
SmokinAcesLTL September 12th, 2011 at 03:27 PM
While originally I scoffed automatically at Blueprint being better than Reasonable Doubt (my favorite hip hop album ever), I like the breakdown on how the author thinks otherwise. I'm still not convinced that TBP is better musically (you're not giving the producers of RD enough credit. They made amazing tracks that fit with the story of the record.) Also I believe that saying that Jay used the guest as a "crutch" on RD was WAAYYY off base. Jay went toe to toe with Biggie in his prime and even had Bleek sounding rather dope on Coming Of Age.
jay September 12th, 2011 at 04:17 PM
bullshit
lex diamonds September 12th, 2011 at 04:39 PM
these arguments are brought to you by the some jackasses/idiots who think jay-z's best song is "it's a hard knock life".
lex diamonds September 12th, 2011 at 04:41 PM
...just keep that in mind...
Bernie December 18th, 2011 at 05:09 PM
Hit the nail on the head. Of course they would pick his most mainstream song as the number one song...
tnt September 12th, 2011 at 04:59 PM
you guys should compare it was written & illamatic, personally i feel that it was written is nas best album even lupe fiasco feels the same
bik-e September 12th, 2011 at 05:31 PM
i agree that TBP is better but it shouldnt be 8 to 4 cuz the sole lyrical aspect of RD should get more like bonus points so it can be like 8 to 6 or something
Tigre September 18th, 2011 at 02:27 AM
I totally agree with u. The fact that the lyrical content and theme of RD is more superior than TBP's is enough reason to score RD higher. Those two factors get you more points than things like sales.
Zee To The September 12th, 2011 at 06:14 PM
I got The Black Album over both of them but... I'm chillin'