Could Play-N-Skillz Have Saved The Blueprint 3?

In next week's dead tree version of DC9, we'll be running our review of the new Jay-Z disc, The Blueprint 3. (Spoiler alert: Meh.)Of course, we won't be the first to wax poetic about the disc; early returns elsewhere see the disc as something of a failure, with reviews lambasting...

By Pete Freedman

September 4, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

In next week's dead tree version of DC9, we'll be running our review of the new Jay-Z disc, The Blueprint 3. (Spoiler alert: Meh.)

Of course, we won't be the first to wax poetic about the disc; early returns elsewhere see the disc as something of a failure, with reviews lambasting Jay for trying to stay relevant in a game that may have already passed him by--or maybe just one he's lost some interest in. Last weekend, Jay and Beyonce were among the crowd in Brooklyn checking out Grizzly Bear, Beach House and VEGA perform--and Jay went out of his way to say that he liked what he saw and heard from the indie rock scene.

But, still, this is Jay-Z, remember, so folks are up in arms that The Blueprint 3 might not be up to par for the iconic hip-hop artist. Today, the folks at the hip-hop-centric The Urban Daily express such sentiment, while nominating a couple of producers who could've stepped in and "saved" the disc from mediocrity. Among the 10 producers named: Dallas' own Play-N-Skillz, who the site praises for being able to "get it in," whatever that means. Still, a nice plug for the brothers Salinas.

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.