AMERICAN GANGSTER - JAY-Z
![American Gangster [EXPLICIT]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21Xr0kANU9L.jpg)
Jay-Z’s non-soundtrack to “American Gangster” uses a fictional framework as an excuse for him to re-address matters he’s been writing about forever — which is fine and all, but a new Jay-Z record about the hustler’s lifestyle isn’t that surprising. What’s more notable are the telling gems hidden within the Frank Lucas outline: Smirkingly christening himself “Gray Hova” gives Jay the chance to weigh in on Don Imus and Britney Spears, and declare all rappers “actors,” brilliantly positioning himself above the game while still keeping a large foot in it. The “Gangster” portion of the record is, as you’d expect, effortlessly strong. The production — heavy on contributions from a 1970s-obsessed Diddy, is hit-or-miss.
