The Blueprint was reportedly cut in two weeks, with Jay-Z allegedly writing the lyrics in two days. At the time, he was awaiting two criminal trials for gun possession and assault. He was also engaged in feuds with various rappers, in particular Nas and Mobb Deep member Prodigy. In the song “Takeover”, Jay-Z attacks the two Queensbridge rappers, using a sample of the song “Five to One” by The Doors and an interpolation of David Bowie’s “Fame”. On The Blueprint, Jay-Z and his producers used vintage soul as inspiration, including a vocal sample on almost every track from such artists as Al Green, Bobby “Blue” Bland, David Ruffin and The Jackson 5. Exceptions include “Jigga That N****,” “Hola Hovito,” and “Renegade,” a track produced by and featuring Eminem, and the only track on the album featuring another rapper on verses.10 years after Jeffs’ conviction, Utah polygamist community wrestles with changes in documentaryĪ statement from Abloh’s family on the designer’s Instagram account said Abloh was diagnosed two years ago with cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare form of cancer in which a tumor occurs in the heart. “He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture,” the statement read. In 2018, Abloh became the first Black artistic director of men’s wear at Louis Vuitton in the French design house’s storied history.

A first-generation Ghanaian American whose seamstress mother taught him to sew, Abloh had no formal fashion training, but had a degree in engineering and a master’s in architecture.Ībloh, who grew up in Chicago, was often referred to as a Renaissance man in the fashion world. But in a short time, he emerged as one of fashion’s most heralded designers. Abloh called himself “a maker.” He was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people in 2018. In 2009, Abloh met Kanye West - now called Ye - while he was working at a screen-printing store.

The blueprint album zip