THIS DAY IN HIP-HOP...JAY Z - AMERICAN GANGSTER

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Jay Z released his tenth studio album American Gangster.

On this day in 2007, Jay Z released his tenth studio album American Gangster on Roc-A-Fella.  The set was inspired by the Universal Pictures biopic film of drug kingpin Frank Lucas of the same name, American Gangster.  It is not the soundtrack.  The album featured production from Just Blaze, Jermaine Dupri, Diddy and the Hitmen, the Neptunes, DJ Toomb, No I.D., Bigg, and others.

The concept album spawned a few hit singles: "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)," which peaked at #8 on the Rap chart, "I Know," and "Blue Magic," both featured Pharrell Williams.  Other notable guest artists featured on the album were Lil Wayne, Beanie Sigel, Bilal, and Nas.

American Gangster debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.  It reached #1 on both the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts.  The album was certified platinum.

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Also on this day...

2001 - The soundtrack to the Lionsgate comedy film The Wash was released on Aftermath.

2014 - Azealia Banks released her debut album Broke with Expensive Taste on Prospect Park.

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This day in Birthdays...

Oh No (1978) - ​American rapper and record producer.  One half of the hip-hop duo Gangrene.