Jay-Z discusses his latest CD, Sept. 11, retiring

By MESFIN FEKADU

NEW YORK — When Jay-Z released his first “Blueprint” CD on Sept. 11, 2001, the rapper couldn’t have known how monumental, and tragic, the day would turn out to be.

Last month, Jay-Z once again released an album with the “Blueprint” tag. But this time, the release of a CD around the Sept. 11 date was not coincidental, but purposeful.

“The Blueprint 3” was billed as the final album of a trilogy, and was paired with a special benefit concert Sept. 11 at Madison Square Garden that helped the families of police officers and firefighters who lost their lives when the World Trade Center’s twin towers collapsed in the terrorist attacks.

Jay-Z feels the album — which features myriad guests, including Kanye West, Rihanna and Alicia Keys — shows how he’s evolved to become one of hip-hop’s leaders.

Q. Why do you feel this is the right time to release the third installment of “Blueprint”?

A. This album was actually supposed to come out last year, but for some reason it didn’t, and whatever happened and however we got to this place, we’re here now. So it just made sense for me to grasp the moment and make it a bigger thing, because the first one wasn’t planned to come out on Sept 11, right? There was no “Sept. 11.” We didn’t know that that tragic event would happen that day. So now with that knowledge, we should never forget and we should always move past it and be strong but never forget.

Q. Tell us about the recording process for this CD.

A. It was great. In the face of everything that is going on, just me personally, I just stick to true emotions and feelings and strength and growing in music, and not following trends or anything like that. I’m proud of the album.

Q. Kayne West was an up-and-coming producer on “Blueprint” back in 2001. How was it different to work with him now?

A. The most interesting thing in the studio was Kanye because of Kayne’s growth. You got to figure on the first “Blueprint,” he was a new producer, so he was just putting in the beats and moving out the way. On this one, he had an opinion about how the songs should sound and it was just great energy that we had in the studio.

Q. The record features a number of newcomers — Drake, Kid Cudi, Mr. Hudson and J. Cole. What did you learn from them?

A. Their excitement for the game. You know when you first come in the music business ... you come with really wide eyes. That’s why on every single album, I have a new producer or new rapper because I love that new energy.

Q. You announced your retirement in 2003. Since then, have you thought about retiring again?

A. I learned from that last one that you should just let it happen. The day that you’re not making music, you should just not make music. It doesn’t have to be an announced retirement. So I would never say that again. Ever.

The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.