My first trip around the internets this morning found me two new leaks from Blueprint 3, both from NR. We’re all familiar with the Timbaland leaks last week, and their luke warm response. Today we get some of Kanye’s input into the album, with the Kanye and No I.D. produced “Thank You” as well as the Kanye produced and featured “Hate”. I give my two cents on the two songs below.
[audio: http://rubyhornet.com/media/rh/music/jay_z_thank_you.mp3|width=180]
“Thank You” is the first song I’ve heard from BP3, aside from “Run This Town” and sort of “D.O.A.”, that I can say I really like. It’s got a Sinatra-Rat Pack kind of feel, and I can see Jay opening a set, or starting an intermission with a song like this. The production is leisurely, and Jay’s rap follows suit. The song’s first line is also one of it’s best as Jay gives a nod to Clipse by rapping, “please hold your applause, as I just applied logic, keys-keys open doors.” References to being a good tipper, as well as Manny Pacquiao lend cleverness and humor to the feel good track.
Jay-Z: “Hate” featuring Kanye West
“Hate” is much heavier and has a darker feel than “Thank You”. The titles exist on opposite sides of the spectrum, and so do these two songs. Where Kanye went lounge-y with “Thank You”, “Hate” sounds like it could have easily been created during the 808’s and Heartbreak sessions. Rhymes are fairly solid, and Jay shouts out former Chicago Bears running back, and youngest player inducted to the Hall of Fame Gayle Sayers in the second verse.
[audio: http://rubyhornet.com/media/rh/music/jay_z_hate_featuring_kanye_west.mp3|width=180]