Blueprint, The

Overview & Specifications

The Blueprint is the sixth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, first released on September 11, 2001, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings.

Recording sessions for the album took place during 2001 at Manhattan Center Studios and Baseline Studios in New York City. Contrasting the radio-friendly sound of Jay-Z's previous work, The Blueprint features soul-based sampling and production handled primarily by Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Bink, as well as Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Eminem, who also contributes the album's sole guest feature.