Rapper in the shadow of J. Hova

Jay-Z's retirement has everyone looking for the new big ticket at Roc-a-fella. Since its conception in 1996, Memphis Bleek was supposed to be Jigga's second coming. But after a career that has been a mild success (including a three-year hiatus filled with personal strife), those reigns seem more fit for Roc-a-fella's Kanye West, the hottest up-and-comer in hip-hop right now -- set to release his first solo album in February. \nThe irony of Bleek's problem is that the thing that blew him up in the first place is thing that holds him back from the respect he deserves. As Jay-Z's protégé, he must live up to some serious hype ... and sales -- which Bleek hasn't delivered after his first two records merely went gold. \nMade isn't made by Bleek so much as it's made by a team of super-producers including Kanye West and Just Blaze -- both so hot right now they couldn't produce a dud even if it was their intention. Blaze's production on "Just Blaze" somehow makes a beat that is reminiscent of the theme for Nintendo's "Pole Position" sound groundbreaking. Rarely is a song titled for its producer, but until Bleek can rise above the beats (like his mentor) he'll have to rely on bass-moving feet and bobbing heads if not his performance.