Jay-Z - American Gangster
Label:
Catalog#:
B0010229-02
Format:
CD, Album
Country:
US
Released:
06 Nov 2007
Genre:
Hip Hop
Style:
Tracklist
| 1 | Idris Elba - | Intro | 2:01 | |
|
Arranged By -
Idris Elba
Co-producer - Idris "Driis" Elba* Edited By, Arranged By - Hector Delgado Guitar - Marty Reid Mixed By - Hector Delgado Producer - Chris Flame Recorded By - Seth Firkins Strings [Additional] - Timon Abuptah Vocals [Additional] - Angel Wood | ||||
| 2 | Jay-Z - | Pray | 4:24 | |
|
Bass, Guitar -
James Lewis (4)
Clarinet [Bass], Trombone [Bass] - Aaron J. Johnson* Engineer [Assistant] - Andy Geel Vocals - A.J. Walker , Adonis Shropshire , Carmen Cameron , Cheri Dennis , Jayms Madison , Leisa Johnson* , Shannon Jones Vocals [Additional] - Beyoncé Written-By - A. Hawkshaw* | ||||
| 3 | Jay-Z - | American Dreamin' | 4:47 | |
|
Backing Vocals -
Keon Bryce
Bass, Piano, Strings - Arden "Keyz" Altino* Co-producer - Mario Winans Written-By - A. Ross* , L. Ware* , M. Gaye* | ||||
| 4 | Jay-Z - | Hello Brooklyn 2.0 | 3:56 | |
|
Featuring -
Lil Wayne
Performer [All Instruments] - Bigg D* Producer - Bigg D* Programmed By [Additional] - Drew Hollywood Recorded By - Angel "Ohnel" Aponte* , Ced Hollywood , Drew Money Written-By - D. Baker* , D. Carter* | ||||
| 5 | Jay-Z - | No Hook | 3:14 | |
|
Engineer [Assistant] -
Heather Boyden
,
Michelle Figueroa
Piano, Strings, Keyboards, Electric Piano [Rhodes] - Arden "Keyz" Altino* Vocals - Jayms Madison Written-By - B. White* | ||||
| 6 | Jay-Z - | Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... | 4:12 | |
|
Arranged By, Saxophone [Tenor] -
Kenneth "Scooter" Whalum*
Engineer [Assistant] - Matt Testa* Trombone - Saunders Sermons Trumpet - Cameron Johnson , Keyon Harrold* Vocals [Additional] - Beyoncé , Cassie (2) , Kanye West Written-By - B. Mann* , D. Guy* , L. Michels* , M. Deller* , T. Brenneck* | ||||
| 7 | Jay-Z - | Sweet | 3:26 | |
|
Engineer [Assistant] -
Andy Geel
Vocals [Additional] - A.J. Walker , Carmen Cameron , Cassie (2) Written-By - R. Love* | ||||
| 8 | Jay-Z - | I Know | 3:43 | |
|
Mixed By -
Chad Hugo
Producer - Neptunes, The Recorded By - Andrew Coleman (3) Recorded By [Additional] - Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young* Recorded By [Assistant] - Hart Gunther Written-By - P. Williams* | ||||
| 9 | Jay-Z - | Party Life | 4:29 | |
|
Engineer [Assistant] -
Matt Testa*
Mixed By [Assistant] - Anthony Palazzole Trumpet - Keyon Harrold* Vocals - Shannon Jones Written-By - D. Stone* , W. Hale* | ||||
| 10 | Jay-Z - | Ignorant Sh*t | 3:41 | |
|
Featuring -
Beanie Sigel
Mixed By - Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton* Mixed By [Assistant] - Andrew Wright (2) Producer - Just Blaze Recorded By - Daren "DJ Poun" Smith* Written-By - C. Jasper* , D. Grant* , E. Isley* , J. Smith* , M. Isley* , O. Isley* , R. Isley* , R. Isley* | ||||
| 11 | Jay-Z - | Say Hello | 5:27 | |
|
Backing Vocals -
Rhonda Robinson
Producer - Toomp* Recorded By - Derrick Selby , Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young* Written-By - A. Davis* , T. Brocker* | ||||
| 12 | Jay-Z - | Success | 3:30 | |
|
Backing Vocals -
Juan "OG" Perez*
Co-producer - Jermaine Dupri Featuring - Nas Producer - No-ID* Written-By - E. Wilson* , L. Ellis* , N. Jones* | ||||
| 13 | Jay-Z - | Fallin' | 4:06 | |
|
Backing Vocals -
Bilal
Co-producer - No-ID* Mixed By - Jermaine Dupri , Phil Tan Mixed By [Assistant] - Josh Houghkirk Producer - Jermaine Dupri Written-By - J. Dupri* , T. Hester* | ||||
| Bonus Tracks | ||||
| 14 | Jay-Z - | Blue Magic | 4:10 | |
|
Producer -
Neptunes, The
Recorded By - Andrew Coleman (3) Recorded By [Assistant] - Hart Gunther Vocals [Additional] - Pharrell* Written-By - B. Kaun* , C. Herron* , D. Robinson* , D. Foster* , M. Jones* , P. Williams* , T. Ellis* , T. McElroy* | ||||
| 15 | Jay-Z - | American Gangster | 3:41 | |
|
Cello -
Eileen Moon
,
Jeanne Leblanc
Drums - Stillphil Mixed By - Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton* Mixed By [Assistant] - Andrew Wright (2) Piano [Additional] - Canei Finch Producer - Just Blaze Recorded By [Live Strings & Horns] - Ryan West Recorded By [Music] - Andrew Wright (2) Recorded By [Vocals] - Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton* Saxophone [Alto] - Andy Snitzer Saxophone [Tenor] - Charles Pillow* Trombone - Mike David Trumpet - Jeff Kievit Viola - Dawn Hannay , Sue Pray Violin - Liz Lim* , Jeanine Wynton , Lisa Kim , Matt Lehmann , Minyoung Chang , Sandra Park , Sarah O'Boyle , Sharon Yamada Written-By - C. Mayfield* , J. Smith* | ||||
Credits
Artwork By [Art Direction & Design] -
JP Robinson
,
Shawn Carter
Bass, Guitar - Ed "Wolverine" Goldson* (tracks: 5 to 7, 9)
Drums - Mario Winans (tracks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9)
Executive Producer - Antonio Reid , Shawn Carter
Mastered By - Tony Dawsey
Mixed By - Supa Engineer Duro* (tracks: 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14) , Victor Abjaoudi II (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 9)
Mixed By [Assistant] - Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young* (tracks: 4, 8, 11, 12, 14) , Steve "Rock Star" Dickey* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9)
Percussion - Bashiri Johnson (tracks: 5 to 7, 9)
Photography [All Other] - Hype Williams
Photography [Back Cover And Cd Label] - JP Robinson
Photography [Front Cover, Page 2 And Outside Inlay] - Arthur Elgort
Producer - LV (2) (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , Diddy* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , Sean C* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9)
Producer [Associate] - Hitmen, The (2) , Sean "Diddy" Combs*
Recorded By - Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 9, 11 to 14) , Steve "Rock Star" Dickey* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , Victor Abjaoudi II (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9)
Strings - Mario Winans (tracks: 2, 3, 5)
Written-By - D. Matthews* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , L. Coppin* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , S. Combs* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , S. Carter* (tracks: 2 to 15)
Bass, Guitar - Ed "Wolverine" Goldson* (tracks: 5 to 7, 9)
Drums - Mario Winans (tracks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9)
Executive Producer - Antonio Reid , Shawn Carter
Mastered By - Tony Dawsey
Mixed By - Supa Engineer Duro* (tracks: 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14) , Victor Abjaoudi II (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 9)
Mixed By [Assistant] - Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young* (tracks: 4, 8, 11, 12, 14) , Steve "Rock Star" Dickey* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9)
Percussion - Bashiri Johnson (tracks: 5 to 7, 9)
Photography [All Other] - Hype Williams
Photography [Back Cover And Cd Label] - JP Robinson
Photography [Front Cover, Page 2 And Outside Inlay] - Arthur Elgort
Producer - LV (2) (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , Diddy* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , Sean C* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9)
Producer [Associate] - Hitmen, The (2) , Sean "Diddy" Combs*
Recorded By - Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 9, 11 to 14) , Steve "Rock Star" Dickey* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , Victor Abjaoudi II (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9)
Strings - Mario Winans (tracks: 2, 3, 5)
Written-By - D. Matthews* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , L. Coppin* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , S. Combs* (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7, 9) , S. Carter* (tracks: 2 to 15)
Notes
Inspired by the Denzel Washington / Russell Crowe movie "American Gangster", but it is not a soundtrack for the movie.
"Intro", "No Hook", "Success" and "Blue Magic" contain excerpts from "American Gangster" used courtesy of Universal Studios.
"Pray" contains a sample from "New Earth" by Hank Marvin, written by Alan Hawkshaw.
"American Dreamin'" contains a sample of the recording "Soon I'll Be Loving You Again" as performed by Marvin Gaye, written by M. Gaye, A. Ross, L. Ware.
"Hello Brooklyn 2.0" contains excerpts from "Hello Brooklyn" performed by The Beastie Boys.
"No Hook" contains a sample of the recording "Love Serenade" as performed by Barry White (B. White).
"Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)..." contains a sample of "Make the Road by Walking" performed by The Menahan Street Band, written by T. Brenneck, D. Guy, M. Deller, L. Michels, B. Mann.
"Sweet" contains a sample of "Does Your Mama Know" written by Rudy Love and performed by Rudy Love & The Love Family.
"Party Life" contains a sample from "Get into the Party Life" by Little Beaver, written by W. Hale and D. Stone.
"Ignorant Sh*t" contains a sample of "Between the Sheets" performed by The Isley Bros., written by R. Isley, O. Isley, R. Isley, M. Isley, E. Isley and C. Jasper.
"Say Hello" contains a sample of the recording "The Love We Share Is the Greatest of Them All" as performed by Tom Brock, written by T. Brocker.
"Success" contains a sample of the recording "Funky Thing Pt. 1" written by Larry Ellis and performed by Larry Ellis and The Black Hammer.
"Fallin'" contains samples from "Fell for You" performed by The Dramatics, written by T. Hester.
"Blue Magic" embodies portions of "Hold On" written by D. Foster, T. McElroy, T. Ellis, C. Herron, M. Jones and D. Robinson, also contains excerpt from the motion picture "Frankenstein", score by Bernard Kaun.
"American Gangster" contains samples from the Curtis Mayfield recording "Short Eyes", written by Curtis Mayfield.
"Intro", "No Hook", "Success" and "Blue Magic" contain excerpts from "American Gangster" used courtesy of Universal Studios.
"Pray" contains a sample from "New Earth" by Hank Marvin, written by Alan Hawkshaw.
"American Dreamin'" contains a sample of the recording "Soon I'll Be Loving You Again" as performed by Marvin Gaye, written by M. Gaye, A. Ross, L. Ware.
"Hello Brooklyn 2.0" contains excerpts from "Hello Brooklyn" performed by The Beastie Boys.
"No Hook" contains a sample of the recording "Love Serenade" as performed by Barry White (B. White).
"Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)..." contains a sample of "Make the Road by Walking" performed by The Menahan Street Band, written by T. Brenneck, D. Guy, M. Deller, L. Michels, B. Mann.
"Sweet" contains a sample of "Does Your Mama Know" written by Rudy Love and performed by Rudy Love & The Love Family.
"Party Life" contains a sample from "Get into the Party Life" by Little Beaver, written by W. Hale and D. Stone.
"Ignorant Sh*t" contains a sample of "Between the Sheets" performed by The Isley Bros., written by R. Isley, O. Isley, R. Isley, M. Isley, E. Isley and C. Jasper.
"Say Hello" contains a sample of the recording "The Love We Share Is the Greatest of Them All" as performed by Tom Brock, written by T. Brocker.
"Success" contains a sample of the recording "Funky Thing Pt. 1" written by Larry Ellis and performed by Larry Ellis and The Black Hammer.
"Fallin'" contains samples from "Fell for You" performed by The Dramatics, written by T. Hester.
"Blue Magic" embodies portions of "Hold On" written by D. Foster, T. McElroy, T. Ellis, C. Herron, M. Jones and D. Robinson, also contains excerpt from the motion picture "Frankenstein", score by Bernard Kaun.
"American Gangster" contains samples from the Curtis Mayfield recording "Short Eyes", written by Curtis Mayfield.
Recommendations
▸ show all 1 review
His rapstyle and delivery is in a class of his own - you hear that Lay-Z is in a zone and the lyics come from his dome directly to the microphone. His voice sits tight in the middle of the Stereo - Mix. A fantastic production + excellent mastering comes as a Bonus. The guests are well chosen, as usual : Lil' Wayne, Nas and his old buddy Beanie Sigel are on the harder tracks. Kanye West and Pharrel do appear on the more playful songs. Even his wife Beyoncè makes a few nice appearances here as a Background Singer.
What makes this album so fantastic is the music ! I never heard a Rap album with so much going on musically. The samples are sounding so familiar, that you often think HIT even before the song is thru. And then the producers : Diddy and the Hit Makers LV & SEAN C produced most of the stuff and their tracks sound so good. You have a lot of real instruments , a drummer and a guitar player; sometimes even a Horn section, Pianos and so on. To make this album even better there still are a hand full of hardcore tracks by Just Blaze (on the Beanie Sigel collaboration) DJ Toomp and others. The Neptunes and even Jermaine Duprie add their special flavour to the product (JD produced the Nas / Jay-Z Track) . This LP is easily twice as good as the rushed Kingdom Come, close to The Blueprint + on the same level as The Black Album.