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Original 'Gangster' Comes Out Swinging

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By CURTIS ROSS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

Jay-Z says this rather quick follow-up to last year's dismal "Kingdom Come" CD was inspired by the film of the same name, and that's not hard to believe. The story of infamous Harlem crime boss Frank Lucas would just about have to appeal to an ex-hustler like Jay-Z.

But let's not kid ourselves - the real inspiration is the drubbing "Kingdom Come" got from both critics and fans. "American Gangster" is Jay-Z's response to the suggestion that he'd lost his touch, that the king failed to reclaim the throne.

Call this a comeback, then. Jay-Z is in fighting trim on "American Gangster" and, like Lucas, he's all business.

"Please don't compare me to other rappers ... I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris," Jay-Z raps on "No Hook," but his models are more musical than mob-related. His sights are set on era-defining early-'70s soul by Curtis Mayfield, the O'Jays and Marvin Gaye. "American Gangster" is almost a hip-hop period piece, awash in '70s musical flourishes: The swirling strings are as integral to "Say Hello" as are its beats, and "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is) ..." could have dropped off Mayfield's "Superfly" soundtrack.

Jigga's rhymes are sharp and focused, with none of the grumpy old mannerisms of "Kingdom Come." He's still unimpressed with the hip-hop world he's returned to, but on "Success," featuring ex-nemesis Nas, what was merely cranky on "Kingdom" becomes anger with a real threat underlying it.

"American Gangster" is Jay-Z's challenge to any would-be usurpers: He's not giving up the title without a fight.

Download this: "No Hook"

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