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Jay-Z is back in a big way. His latest album, The Blueprint 3, gives fans a renewed sense of hope that quality rappers still exist.

After a lackluster attempt to come back in his album Kingdom Come, Jay-Z fans will be happy to know that his latest album is on par with some of his greatest previous works.

Fans that fell in love with Jay-Z after hearing such masterworks as The Blueprint, The Black Album and Reasonable Doubt will be happy to know that he’s returned in full form for The Blueprint 3.

The Blueprint 3 includes epic collaborations in songs such as “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys, so it is hard to see why Jay-Z chose “Run This Town” featuring Rihanna for his first single of the album.

It seemed like it was more of a safe move because Rihanna is such a mainstream artist and the song is not anything new from any other pop rap songs out there right now.

His collaboration with Keys in “Empire State of Mind” is a different sound from what is typically put out in the mainstream, and it is definitely nice to hear Alicia Keys’ powerful voice after being on hiatus for quite a long period of time.

It is hard to see why these two had not collaborated earlier because their urban styles and voices mesh perfectly.

Other collaborations are in “Off That” featuring Lil’ Wayne’s protégé, Drake and “Already Home” featuring Kid Cudi.

It’s definitely cool to hear someone who’s been around the rap scene as long as Jay-Z collaborating with more up and coming performers and artists.

Other great songs come in both “Off That” and “On to the Next One.”

It is hard to not automatically have the urge to get up and dance after hearing both of these.

My only complaint with The Blueprint 3 lies in “Young Forever” featuring Mr. Hudson. 

In an effort to make a more mellow, poppy song in “Young Forever,” a classic song is butchered almost criminally.

The sample chorus that he uses from Alphaville’s 80’s hit “Forever Young” just doesn’t mesh well with Jay-Z’s lyrics or style of the song at all.

Overall, however, The Blueprint 3 is a great album, and definitely worth spending some money on if you are a fan of Jay-Z or hip-hop.

Jay-Z has definitely proven he still has what it takes and will surely go down in history as one of the defining hip-hop artists of our generation.