Rap mogul Jay-Z returned to the top of the charts this fall with the release of his latest album, “The Blueprint 3.”

            The rapper, whose real name is Sean Carter released the album, his eleventh, as the final installment of the Blueprint trilogy.

            “Blueprint 3” is a star-studded collection of trademark Carter tracks - clever rhymes, memorable hooks and driving beats. The album features guests on twelve of the fifteen tracks.

            The first song released from the album was this summer’s “street track,” or unofficial single, “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune).” This song had listeners talking. It was Jay-Z’s response to the current overuse of the auto-tune by rappers to change their voices with a computer device as they sing. Many rap aficionados did not feel that this was Jay’s best work on the track’s production; however there is no denying that he makes his opinion known through his words. It only heightened the public’s desire to hear what could be coming on the official album.

            Similarly, the song “Off That,” featuring flavor of the moment Drake, shows how Jay feels about everything hot and new: he is “off that.” For example: the auto-tune.  Much of the song is Carter’s way of releasing his pent up frustration at the direction rap is taking. His ability to call out everything from skinny jeans to excessive bling shows that Jay is taking the opportunity to claim his ground as the king of today’s hip-hop.

            September’s MTV Video Music Awards brought the latest hit off of the album, “Empire State of Mind,” to the public eye. Carter closed out a memorable show with a powerful anthem to his hometown of New York City. His duet with Alicia Keys is one of the best songs on the album. It profiles how “[those] streets will make you feel brand new” by featuring famous landmarks, neighborhoods and people. The song is driven by Keys’ strong vocals on the chorus and an obvious love for NYC.

            Other stars on the album include Kid Cudi (“Already Home”), Kanye West (“Hate”), Pharrell (“So Ambitious”), Swizz Beatz (“On To The Next One”) and Rhianna (“Run This Town”). Many of the songs were produced by West, Beatz, popular rapper Timbaland or Pharrell’s production group The Neptunes. This collection of varied producers and artists gives the album a diverse sound in which none of the songs sound alike. They all have their own flavor.

            Since the release of his first album “Reasonable Doubt” in the late 90’s, the rapper Jay-Z has set his own standard in the rap world. While “The Blueprint 3” is not the traditional work of H.O.V.A., the rhymes are all his own and his overall vision is apparent in the album. When Rhianna asks Jay, “Who will run this town?” he responds without a doubt: “We are.”