After a mixed reception to his comeback album, Kingdom Come, Jay-Z returns with his pseudo-concept album, American Gangster. The album is inspired by the mythos of Frank Lucas. American Gangster shines from start to finish. From the paranoid thump of "Pray" to the rabble-rousing, Lil Wayne-assisted anthem "Brooklyn 2.0," Jay benefits from narrowing his focus. On this departure from half-heartedness, Jigga sounds enlivened, even on the lesser tracks. - dusty culpepper

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