Released to instant acclaim, it paired Jay-Z's confident writing with soul-sampling production from a young Kanye West and Just Blaze. Cohesive, quotable and influential. A peak of early-2000s rap. Released in 2001, it's a key entry in Jay-Z's run.
On vinyl: Vinyl can be scarcer than the CD from this era, so it's worth looking for a recent repressing.
Add it to the collection
Vinyl and CD links go to Amazon search results; listening links open Amazon Music. New to Amazon Music? Start a free trial → As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases and sign-ups.
Tracks from this album on our lists
- Izzo (H.O.V.A.) on Best 2000s Hip-Hop Songs
We don't reproduce full tracklists — only the songs from this record we've featured in our best-of lists.
More from Jay-Z — where to go next
If you have The Blueprint, these are the Jay-Z records worth reaching for next.
-
1
Reasonable Doubt1996 · Hip-HopStart here
-
2
Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life1998 · Hip-HopClassic
-
3
The Blueprint2001 · you're viewing this oneClassic
-
4
The Black Album2003 · Hip-HopClassic
-
5
4:442017 · Hip-HopClassic
If you like The Blueprint, try
Labor DaysAesop Rock
The Cold VeinCannibal Ox
Miss E... So AddictiveMissy Elliott
StillmaticNas
Lord Willin'Clipse
Like Water for ChocolateCommon