Produced by Lando Beats.

Official music video for the song “Perspective” from Blueprint’s latest album, Respect the Architect.

The album title, Respect the Architect – borrowed from a 1995 Guru Jazzmatazz track – seems a bit forced, but luckily for the longtime fans, and new heads seeking quality over gloss, the title is the only thing that is out of place in this effort. The title and the artist demand consideration, calling to the music Blueprint so clearly loves and understands for a return to form. Another solid construction from one of underground hip-hop’s most unheralded creators. The beats are rooted in golden age, but the production still manages to sound fresh, and the samples are not played out. Blueprint’s flow is clear and concise, if not instantly recognizable, or altogether unique.

When one hears the name Blueprint the first reaction is typically something along the lines of, “Oh yeah, dude who rhymed over RJD2′s beats.” Those heads may be unaware that for the last several years Blueprint, has crafted his own beats, while RJ, for better or worse, ventured into a folk guitar grey area. On Respect the Architect, Blueprint, sticks to the plan by not experimenting too much with the beats on this one. Opting instead to stay rooted in the boom-bap that best serves his flow.

The verses on this album are delivered with vigor and insight. Venturing from braggadocio, to personally revealing, even veering into somewhat self-effacing from track to track. A varied offering with quality punchlines, and resonant themes that make this one of the best pure hip-hop albums of modern times. The few skits and guest appearances serve the pacing of the material well while elevating the work, a feat rare in this day of multiple guests on every track, and forced, uninspired collaborations.

Once the listener gets to ethereal strings at the beginning of title track respect has already been earned (if it wasn’t already there), and legendary status is within sight. Then “Perspective” sails in and we hear several stories that most aware in modern times can relate to. The beat drops out as Al starts sharing pieces of his personal history on, “Silver Lining”, and one of the most powerful intro lines: “So much more than a rapper, They only write rhyme, well I’mma writer, that uses rap to capture the times,” Followed by one of the standout verses of the last decade:

Flippin’ through the channels, landed on Charlie Rose / Interviewing Sting about all the songs he wrote / Charlie asked how a song writer keep his hope / What Sting answered, I never dare forget the quote / He said ‘the music gets dark whenever things get bad / But artist gotta understand, it’s easiest to paint with black / If you feel it comin’ on, you gotta reel it back / Cause people turn to us to hopefully escape from that….’

Congratulations and multiple listens are due Blueprint for sticking to his namesake, and erecting a meaningful, and resonant structure to an album that is worthy of all the accolades that it receives. Are people still interested in listening to hip-hop artists that actually have stories to tell? Does the smartphone generation have the strength to work through it’s collective ADD, and again elevate artists as committed to the craft as Al obviously is? Even if financial windfalls elude Blueprint, hopefully this isn’t a swan song, but rather another level, scaffolding for high-rising on the horizon.

From Blueprint’s new album, Respect The Architect, due tomorrow via Weightless.Net.

After releasing the highly successful and critically acclaimed solo album Adventures in Counter-Culture in 2011, emcee/producer Blueprint is set to release his next proper solo project Respect the Architect on Tuesday April 22nd on Weightless Recordings. Peep the announcement video below.

“This is it” is the second music video from the brand new Greenhouse album,Bend But Don’t Break, which is available right now on Weightless Recordings. Directed by Blueprint.

Greenhouse, the collective made up of Blueprint and Illogic, released their new album today, Bend But Don’t Break, available at iTunes and Printmatic.Net. Check out snippets from the entire project below.

The first visuals from the upcoming Bend But Don’t Break album, titled “Microwave America,” directed by Blueprint. Bend But Don’t Break is available Tuesday July 9th, pre-ordering right now at http://weightless.net and http://printmatic.net.

The new Greenhouse (Blueprint & Illogic) album Bend But Don’t Break will be released on Tuesday July 9th on Weightless Recordings. “Bend But Don’t Break” is the first single.

Blueprint speaks with HipHopSite.Com’s DJ Pizzo, about his new album, Deleted Scenes. He also reveals plans for 2013, which include a new collaborative album with RJD2 as Soul Position, as well as his next solo album and new material from his Greenhouse Effect crew.

Check out the latest music video “We Takin It” from Blueprint’s brand new albumDeleted Scenes.  Filmed in Columbus, OH at an instore signing and performance, the video for “We Takin It” captures the grassroots work ethic and rapport with fans that has made Blueprint a fan-favorite and legend in underground hip-hop.

Deleted Scenes is available now!  Deluxe packages shipping here from printmatic.netand also available via ITunes, Amazon.com, and Bandcamp

From Blueprint’s Deleted Scenes LP, in stores this week on Weightless Recordings. Video directed by Arris Productions (David Damen, Tony Bumgarner, Tyler Yowell, Stan Moore, & Chris Cloud).

For the past two years, Blueprint has steadily been touring and working on brand new material. To celebrate the release of his new self-released project, Deleted Scenes, he’s heading out on the road starting once again. The Deleted Scenes Tour, with special guest Mad Dukez, starts November 1. Check out the dates below and don’t miss a show near you.

Nov 1 Huntington, WV @ V Club (18+)
Nov 2 Johnson City, TN @ Mecca (21+)
Nov 3 Richmond, VA @ Canal Club (All Ages)
Nov 4 Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks (All Ages)
Nov 5 Toronto, ON @ Rancho Relaxo (All Ages)*
Nov 6 London, ON @ Call The Office (19+)*
Nov 7 Kingston, ON @ The Mansion (19+)*
Nov 8 Ottawa, ON @ Ritual (19+)*
Nov 9 Buffalo, NY @ Dukes Bohemian Grove Bar (21+)
Nov 10 Chicago, IL @ Underground Wonder Bar (21+)**
Nov 11 Peoria, IL @ Cam’s Place (21+)**
Nov 12 Omaha, NE @ The Hideout (21+)
Nov 13 Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre (21+)**
Nov 14 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews (21+)**
Nov 15 Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall (All Ages)
Nov 16 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Shred Shed (All Ages)
Nov 17 Ketchum, ID @ Whiskey Jacques (21+)
Nov 18 Boise, ID @ The Shredder (All Ages)
Nov 19 Reno, NV @ Ruben’s Cantina (21+)
Nov 20 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar (21+)
Nov 21 Cortez, CO @ Blondie’s (21+)
Nov 22 Tempe, AZ @ The Blunt Club at Yucca Tap Room (21+)
Nov 24 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar (21+)
Nov 28 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar (21+)**
Nov 29 St Louis, MO @ Fire Bird (17+)**
Nov 30 Lawrence, KS @ Grenada (All Ages)**
Dec 1 Columbia, MO @ Mojo’s (21+)**
All dates with Mad Dukez and Fresh Kils
* also with Atherton
** also with Steddy P and DJ Mahf

Stoli Music teams with Orgnl.TV to produce this unofficial Soul Position reunion, suggesting “The Good Life starts now”…. It also suggests we need another Soul Position LP, STAT!

“Never Grow Old” from the upcoming Blueprint album, Deleted Scenes, available Oct 16th. Pre-order Deleted Scenes at http://printmatic.net.