After a two year album hiatus, Hip-Hop heavyweight, Jay-Z is back with his 11th album, “The Blueprint 3″. The album (which was supposed to be released next week but pushed up due to constant leaking), finds the rapper/entrepreneur telling you that he is bored with the current state of hip-hop and then some.

LISTEN UP:

♫ JAY-Z ft. Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind

♫ JAY-Z ft. Drake – Off That

♫ JAY-Z – Reminder

In his infamous big brother style “do as I say not as I did” tone, this album sheds the transparency of Cristal and fast cars and trades them in for the executive life. You know the kind where you’re so high above the game that it really doesn’t matter what kind of music you put out? Most obvious on the horn-heavy “Thank You,” the Brooklyn native still proudly carries New York’s biggest borough on his back but is more content in his position at the top of the rap game.

Much like the lackluster “Run This Town,” “Venus vs. Mars,” and “D.O.A.” some of the album is a bore but beneath the musical dilapidation, lies an undeniable swagger (yes I said “swagger” but only for Hov). “Empire State,” accompanied by the vocals of Alicia plus her ever-present keys is a reflective account of a journey to the top. Then there’s the amazing Swizz Beatz production of “On To the Next.” Complete with the background stylings of a clap beat, drums, a hint of snare and quiet possibly a xylophone what sounds like an instrumental smorgasbord that wouldn’t mesh well, bonds together quite nicely.

Throwing in a little something for the kiddies that he can no longer relate to, by way of “Off That” featuring Drake, Jay continues on his braggadocios stride. Unfortunately he missteps as Drake seems a little too young an impressionable himself to comprehend the hook he’s singing. “So Ambitious” might be just that to the average listener, but for those inspired by the stratospheric production style of Pharrell and his Neptunes team, it’s right on track.

As a complete body of work The Blueprint 3 lacks the conceptual gumption of American Gangster, but plays on the avant-garde experimentation of the badly received Kingdom Come. Produced mostly by Kanye West, there’s little wonder that it comes off a tad conceited (be sure to listen up for West getting extra lazy with his feature on the song “Hate”). On the plus side, Jay kept Beyonce off the record, as she never seems to work as well being featured on his songs, as he does on hers. Upon a second listen songs like “Young Forever,” featuring Mr. Hudson are far less off-putting than the first go ‘round. So if you’re looking for tall tales of drug dealing, life in Marcy Projects, or bottle-poppin in the club, this is definitely not the album for you. But like it or not 11 albums in Jay has come a long way, so why not give credit where credit is due?

Top Picks: “Empire State of Mind”, “On To The Next” and “Reminder”

Make sure you pick up your copy of Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 in stores or online today.