The Blueprint Jay-Z

Field Notes

In 2001, while studying at Columbia College in Chicago, the nation was shaken by the September 11th attacks. It was especially unsettling for me, as I was frequently flying between Chicago and Cincinnati to visit my now-wife. Amidst this, Chicago’s hip hop scene was gaining momentum with artists like Common, Kanye West, and Lupe Fiasco leading the charge. As recording engineers, my friends and I were immersed in various genres, and our dorm parties always featured two turntables and a microphone. I vividly remember riding to a professor’s home studio for a masterclass mixing session when my friend Eric played "Song Cry." I was instantly captivated by its raw storytelling and soulful 70s samples. That album became my soundtrack for the rest of the year.