Blueprint – Respect the Architect

The House that Beats Built

Rhymesayers Entertainment is home to some of the greatest hip hop artists around and Blueprint is definitely one of them. On his latest LP, Respect the Architect, Blueprint shows step by step how to construct a damn near perfect album. If Respect the Architect was a house, the beats would be the mortar that holds the lyrical bricks in place. The infrastructure of this house would be classic hip hop. And if you’re looking for the roof, you wouldn’t find it; it has been blown off by the the sheer hurricane force winds carrying these poetic messages out of Blueprints’ mouth.

“Oh Word” lays at the beginning of this album like a welcome mat. Starting of with a smooth sample inviting the listener to hear our host say, “How should I begin / back on my grind again.” The title track for Respect the Architect is one of the stand-out numbers. Blueprint describes the experience of being a hip hop artist with lyrics such as, “You know the architect when you hear the song / The foundation for the underground you’re standing on.”

Another great song is “Silver Lining.” This autobiographical joint is done in a similar fashion as Andre 3000’s “A Life in the Day of Benjamin André (Incomplete),” bar after bar moving further down the timeline that is Blueprint’s life. No clear verse or chorus; just one precise flow done perfectly

Blueprint has done with eight songs what many artists can’t accomplish with a whole discography, and that is build something that shadows over the competition. Playing the role of both emcee and producer, Blueprint proves he is a multi-faceted handyman. Respect the Architect is truly a great record. Blueprint hit the nail on the head with this one– over and over, fastening the floorboards to the foundation.