Jay-Z Channels Alter Ego For New Street-Themed CD
As previously reported, American Gangster is inspired by the upcoming flick of the same name, which stars Oscar Award winner Denzel Washington.
When asked how many songs will be on the album, Jigga replied, "I'm at 12 [songs] now but I'm in such a zone I might go 14. I wanna keep it short and sweet and try to keep the story line."
American Gangster, the film, is based on the true story of 1970's drug kingpin Frank Lucas (played by Washington) who brought heroin into Harlem by sneaking it into the coffins of American soldiers coming home from Vietnam.
Hov revealed to The New York Times last week that the movie mirrored his drug dealing past and that the songs he crafted for the album were inspired by specific scenes from the flick.
Giving fans a sample of the street oriented rhymes on the new project, Jay rapped a few lines from a track called "No Hook," to The Times writer.
"Please don't compare me to other rappers / Compare me to trappers,"Jay spit. "I'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris. And Lude is my dude, I ain't trying to dis / Just like Frank Lucas is cool, but I ain't tryin' to snitch / I'm-a follow the rules, no matter how much time I'm-a get / I'm-a live and die with the decisions that I'm-a pick."
American Gangster, the movie, will open in theatres on November 2 while Jigga's project of the same name drops on November 6.
In related news, Jay-Z's clothing line Rocawear is one of three suitors vying for naming rights for The Continental Arena an in New Jersey. Hov is facing stiff competion from South Pole and Izod.
The arena, which is home to the NBA's New Jersey Nets, where Jay-Z owns a minor share, could have a new name by October 4.
