The Blueprint 2, The Gift & The Curse: Where Are They Now?

Catch up with the album's all-star team.

The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse: Where Are They Now? - The best blueprints create buildings that last. And Jay-Z's The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse is definitely lasting. The 2002 album is sometimes overlooked, but it was filled with big songs and big moments. And it all happened thanks to the big names behind it—the numerous rappers, singers, producers and more that helped Jay put it all together. Today (Nov. 12), 10 years after The Blueprint 2 dropped, we're taking a look back at the album's all-star team. Diamonds are forever, indeed. —Alex Gale  (Photo: Def Jam Records)
Notorious B.I.G. - Jay-Z sets off The Blueprint 2 with "Dream," which features Notorious B.I.G.'s unforgettable opening verse from "Juicy." A few years later, some of Big's old verse were repurposed for new songs on the posthumous album Duets: The Final Chapter, but none reached sounded as dope and natural as "Dream." Still, in 2012, Biggie's legacy remains as strong as ever.  (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Faithful - Singer Faith Evans attends the 2012 BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on July 1, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images For BET)Just Blaze - Just Blaze and Jay considered their amazing early 2000s hit streak on The Blueprint 2. Just produced the majority of the record, including highlights "Hovi Baby," "Show You How" and "Some How Some Way." He and Hov haven't worked together in years, but Just is still crafting standouts, including Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre's "Compton," Maybach Music Group's "Self Made," Drake and Rick Ross' "Lord Knows."  (Photo: WENN.com)

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The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse: Where Are They Now? - The best blueprints create buildings that last. And Jay-Z's The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse is definitely lasting. The 2002 album is sometimes overlooked, but it was filled with big songs and big moments. And it all happened thanks to the big names behind it—the numerous rappers, singers, producers and more that helped Jay put it all together. Today (Nov. 12), 10 years after The Blueprint 2 dropped, we're taking a look back at the album's all-star team. Diamonds are forever, indeed. —Alex Gale (Photo: Def Jam Records)

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