Recording sessions for the album took place during 2001 at Manhattan Center Studios and BaselineStudios in New York City. Contrasting the radio-friendly sound of Jay-Z's previous work, The Blueprint features soul-based sampling and production handled primarily by Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Bink, as well as Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Eminem, whoalso contributes the album's sole guest feature.