US rapper Jay-Z has said he plans to take his time recording his new album, 'Blueprint 3'.

The rapper began working on the follow-up to 2007's 'American Gangster' last year, and had been expected to release the record before 2009.

However, in an interview with MTV, Jay-Z said he was enjoying working without time constraints.

"For me, the process of making an album is difficult with so many things going on. And me, I wanna make it beyond and above. I'm gonna take my time with it,” he said.

“I don't have any quotas, and that's a good thing.”

But he added: “It may be too freeing. It's a good thing and a bad thing. You know, I think I need some restrictions. 'Cause if I had restrictions, I would have done it in three weeks.

“I would have made what I believe to be a great piece of art."

Rapper Kanye West has claimed that he has produced the majority of the songs on 'Blueprint 3', which is expected to be Jay-Z's last album with Def Jam.

As previously reported, Jay-Z left Def Jam records last year in order to sign an all-encompassing deal with the concert promoter Live Nation.

Meanwhile, Jay-Z's wife, Beyonce, sung for the President and the First Lady at the Neighborhood Ball on Tuesday as they took their first dance.

(by Jason Gregory)