Every year, the registry preserves 25 “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” American recordings that are at least 10 years old. The Library of Congress, can you believe it?”“American history, my friend, think about that,” he added in a delighted voice. The newest recording preserved by the Library of Congress is Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint,” which was released on Sept. 11, 2001. The album, featuring soul-music-sampling production from a then-mostly unknown Kanye West, made Jay-Z a star and further pushed hip-hop music into mainstream pop consciousness. According to the Library of Congress’s online directory, “The Blueprint” is only the eighth rap album to be inducted.

Source: Washington Post March 20, 2019 06:56 UTC