Jay-Z
The essential Jay-Z records, ranked — where to start and what to reach for next.
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1Reasonable DoubtJay-ZStart here
Reasonable Doubt
A coolly confident debut of mafioso storytelling and effortless flow. Polished and assured. Many fans' favourite.
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2Vol. 2... Hard Knock LifeJay-ZClassic
Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
A commercial peak of crossover hits and street craft. Polished and huge. A breakthrough.
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3The BlueprintJay-ZClassic
The Blueprint
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.
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4The Black AlbumJay-ZClassic
The Black Album
A sharp, reflective 'retirement' record of star production and quotable verses. Confident and cohesive. A peak.
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54:44Jay-ZClassic
4:44
A mature, confessional late peak of reflection and soul samples. Sharp and acclaimed. A creative high.
- Izzo (H.O.V.A.) from The Blueprint · on Best 2000s Hip-Hop Songs
- 99 Problems from The Black Album · on Best Songs of the 2000s, Best Hip-Hop Songs of All Time, Best Hip-Hop Songs of All Time, Best 2000s Hip-Hop Songs
Tracks we've featured in our best-of lists — tap a title to find it on Amazon Music.