I Have Not Heard Any Blueprint 3 Tracks – On Purpose
I’m all for bit torrents, zshares and all the other ways that fans consume music. And I have been known to utilize those services to continue getting the latest releases in this challenging economic climate. But when there are serious releases pending – of which Hov’s Blueprint 3 most definitely qualifies – I will more often than not ignore the tracks until the actual release.
Don’t get me wrong. As an observer of the raposphere, I know that there have been a gang of tracks from BP3 that have spread forth and multiplied on the Internets. I saw them, but I chose to ignore them. In fact, the more I anticipate a release, the less likely I am to download individual tracks or ripped versions available for download.
Why? Not sure.
I think its because there some artists that can be counted on to release their new album as a full product, rather than a collection of singles. It can be argued that 50 Cent is still worth listening to (I didn’t say I agree – I said it can be argued), but you know that his album (if it ever drops) is just going to be a bunch of rap records. Jigga, on the other hand, has a history of putting out albums with a cohesive and connected theme. American Gangster was the most definitive of these examples, but Blueprint, The Black Album and even the In My Lifetime series had a feel to them.
I feel the same way about artists such as Kanye, Wale and Kid Cudi – even Raekwon with OBFCL2. You know that these dudes have put a whole lot of thought and efforts not just into putting out dope tracks, but creating an album. From the artwork, to the intros to the tracklisting, serious artists will present the album as a complete package, not a random collection.
I think it does those artists a disservice by consuming those tracks individually, out of sequence or context from that which the artist intended. No wonder we shrug our shoulders after we download a bunch of singles before we hear the completed album.
We keep talking that hip-hop has lost its excitement, but we do it to ourselves. Maybe its our collective competitiveness – we need to have the latest joint in the car or our iPods or the deck – but I think it takes away from the value of an album release.
I may be disappointed that I waited, but I’m looking forward to September 11. I’ll take a minute, go to the local music store and actually pick up a copy. And, like all good hip-hop heads, I’ll throw in the CD, open up the liner notes and take in the musical experience for the first time.
I might be a traditionalist, but at least I now have something to look forward to. And hip-hop could use some excitement and anticipation.
Tags: Blueprint 3, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, leaks, Raekwon, torrents, Wale
Good call man. There are some artists and some albums worth waiting to hear the album as the artist intended. Hov is one of them. I have a mental list of people that I am willing to shell out a few bucks for on release day because time and time again they either deliver or I want them to deliver. Glad I’m not the only one.
You’re definitely not the only one, Greg. I’m curious who is on that list of artists that you have.
Good post, not gonna lie and say I didn’t hear both OB4CL2 & BP3 when they leaked, but I will be supporting both albums and take picture proof of both!! both respectable albums in their own right
Its hard to resist, to be sure – especially when the tracks are everywhere and you’re jonesing to hear some new music. But I have always found that I am ultimately disappointed when I listen to the leaks as opposed to when I listen to the finished product. But props for copping them albums regardless.
Couldn’t have put it better myself. I did the same thing but actually had to wait until the 14th here in Canada, agonizing to say the least, but mos def worth the pay off.
You take the exact same approach to this matter as I do…reading this was like “looking into a mirror” but, I guess, in a metaphorical sense…you know what I mean!
Great post and all said and done, great album.