CLEVELAND, Ohio – It will be a big year in more ways than one for Jay-Z. Not only will the man considered by many to be the greatest rapper of all time be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in October. But Shawn Carter will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of his classic debut album “Reasonable Doubt.”
Thirteen studio albums later and the hip hop world still evolves around Jay-Z. He now a billionaire, married to “the hottest chick in the game” and dabbling in numerous other business ventures. But it always comes back to the music.
In honor of “Reasonable Doubt” turning 25 and Hov becoming the latest hip hop act to enter the Rock Hall, we ranked all 74 commercial singles. Anything where Jay-Z is listed as a lead artist made the cut. Though, only official commercial singles, and not promotional ones, were considered. And, yes, collaborative efforts were fair game (meaning R. Kelly, Watch the Throne and The Carters).
It’s a trip down memory lane that reminds you few artists in any genre measure up to Mr. Carter:
74. “Don’t Let Me Die” with R. Kelly (Unfinished Business, 2004)
There may be no song Jay-Z regrets doing with R. Kelly more than “Don’t Let Me Die.” How could he not? Jay-Z’s rhymes are straightforward. Yet, R. Kelly delivers his raps (Yes, he raps) in a plea to the lord that amounts to shallow whining. Kelly confronting his demons might seem a bit more heartfelt if his demons weren’t so horrifying. “Don’t Let Me Die” is the rock bottom moment in Jay-Z and R. Kelly’s work together.
73. “Hollywood” feat. Beyoncé (Kingdom Come, 2007)
When it came time to make his comeback, how could Jay not return without a Beyonce collabo? Unfortunately, “Hollywood” is one of the weaker tracks the two have ever put together. The song was also featured on the deluxe version of Beyonce’s sophomore album. It works better as a bonus cut on an R&B album, especially considering Bey outshines Jay at every turn.
72. “On to the Next One” feat. Swizz Beatz (The Blueprint 3, 2009)
Looking to ride the success of Jay-Z’s first No. 1 with “Empire State of Mind,” the label went nuts releasing three more singles (six in total) from “The Blueprint 3.” But “Thriller” this was not. “On to the Next One” is an example of the kind of annoying beats Swizz Beatz was putting out far too often around this time. It’s so repetitive it’s hard to focus on anything else (including Jay-Z’s lyrics) in the song.
71. “(Always Be My) Sunshine” feat. Babyface and Foxy Brown (In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997)
Jay-Z has expressed his desire to have a do-over on the singles from “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.” That surely starts with “(Always Be My) Sunshine.” It’s hard to blame Jay for such a blatant attempt at pop-appeal given we were knee-deep in the Puff Daddy-led Shiny Suit era. There’s nothing wrong with rapping over Fearless Four’s classic “Rockin’ It.” But the massive keyboards and sugary sweet Babyface chorus were a jarring move away from the mafioso rap of “Reasonable Doubt.” Hov has gone as far as to say the single “killed” his album’s momentum. Hard to come up with a harsher indictment than that.
70. “Get This Money” with R. Kelly (Best of Both Worlds, 2002)
If the title of “Get This Money” wasn’t generic enough for you, the song takes care of the rest. There is no way “Best of Both Worlds” wasn’t going to try at least once to recreate “Fiesta.” “Get This Money” is a lame attempt at bringing that magic back.
69. “Things That U Do” feat. Mariah Carey (Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter, 2000)
After giving us a gangsta rap anthem with the first single from “Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter” in the form of “Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up),” Jay-Z resorted to some of his bad habits in reaching for a hit. Teaming up with Mariah Carey, the pop diva to end all pop divas makes perfect sense. But tapping Swizz Beatz for production that was far outside of his comfort zone was a mistake. The annoying flute on “Things That U Do” is even too much for Jay-Z and Mariah to overcome.
68. “Girl’s Best Friend” (Blue Streak Soundtrack, 1999)
Jay-Z stayed busy in between albums in 1999, releasing two singles produced by Ruff Ryders’ Swizz Beatz. “Girl’s Best Friend,” released on the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence film “Blue Streak,” is one of Hov’s most forgettable singles, mainly for its annoying chorus. The song would be added as a hidden track on “Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter.” Though, most people probably turned the album off by that point.
67. “Big Chips” with R. Kelly (Unfinished Business, 2004)
“Big Chips” might be the closest Jay-Z and R. Kelly came to mimicking the actual style first developed with “Guilty Until Proven Innocent,” which is still to say they didn’t come all that close. Still, “Big Chips” has a somewhat catchy bounce to it. Unfortunately, it also features Kellz predicting “Unfinished Business” would sell a million in its first week. It didn’t even do a quarter of that.
66. “Young Forever” feat. Mr Hudson (The Blueprint 3, 2009)
“Young Forever” is sort of a ridiculous song. It reworks Alphaville’s 1984 classic “Forever Young,” dressing it up in a Kanye West beat. The song plays pretty well in a live setting. But the sample doesn’t work for a rap song.
65. “Why I Love You” with Kanye West, feat. Mr Hudson (Watch the Throne, 2011)
“Young Forever Part 2?” Sort of. Save for a few bonus tracks, “Why I Love You” is the closing track for “Watch the Throne.” In a way, it’s fitting. The track is over the top with its drama. It’s also more or less a Jay-Z solo cut. Yet, even for as out of this world as the rest of “Watch the Throne” is, “Why I Love You” feels a bit extra.
64. “Honey” with R. Kelly (Best of Both Worlds, 2002)
Jay-Z kicks off the lead single from his joint album with R. Kelly by saying “Honey” is “mean and vicious.” Sure, the sample of the Bee Gees’ “Love You Inside Out” feels like a can’t miss. But Jay’s rhymes are just off. R. Kelly’s vocals are even worse. On its own, “Honey” is a meh kind of song. But given that it was attempting to follow through on the potential established by “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” and “Fiesta,” this was a major disappointment.
63. “Anything” (The Truth, 2000)
Looking to capitalize on Beanie Sigel’s standout appearance on “Do It Again (Put Your Hands Up),” Jay-Z tacked a new song onto the end of Sigel’s debut album “The Truth” as a bonus track. “Anything” was Jay going back to the “Annie” well, this time sampling the musical “Oliver!” The results are a bit underwhelming. Where “Hard Knock Life” sounded refreshing, “Anything” sounds a bit corny and desperate.
62. “Jockin’ Jay-Z (Dopeboy Fresh)” (2008)
It’s easy to see why “Jockin’ Jay-Z” didn’t make the final cut for “The Blueprint 3.” Even Jay-Z couldn’t compete with some a bombastic beat. Kanye West was on something when he looped Run-DMC’s vocals from “Dumb Girl.” Jay-Z gives it his best with a jab at Oasis. But the instrumental on “Jockin’ Jay-Z” is the real showstopper.
61. “Lift Off” with Kanye West feat. Beyonce (Watch the Throne, 2011)
“Lift Off” is often cited as one of the weak links of “Watch the Throne.” But, as a Beyonce song, it would be quite good. The reality is Jay-Z and Kanye West don’t belong on it. Their awkward rhymes (the beat doesn’t suit the rapping ofrYe’s singing much) only take away from Beyonce’s amazing hook. Supposedly, Bruno Mars was supposed to be on the track as well, but that never materialized. Not sure how much better that would have made the song.
60. “Hey Papi” feat. Amil and Memphis Bleek (Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, 2000)
Riding the success of “Big Pimpin,’” Jay-Z returned to the “Nutty Professor” franchise with the Timbaland-produced track “Hey Papi.” Yet, even Jay seems uninterested in the track, delivering two forgettable verses while stepping aside for Amil and Memphis Bleek to shine a bit. “Hey Papi” is essentially “Big Pimpin’ 2.0” just with a less infectious hook and a beat that’s a bit too extra.
59. “Take You Home With Me (A.K.A. Body)” with R. Kelly (Best of Both Worlds, 2002)
If you ever want to hear Jay-Z’s influence on Drake, put on “Take You Home With Me.” The song finds Jay dropping lines that would be sure to fill memes had they existed back in 2002. It’s one of the rare tracks from “Best of Both Worlds” where Hov feels fully committed. Had the beat been better (it sounds like a flip phone), this could have been something semi-special.
58. “Wishing on a Star” feat. Gwen Dickey (In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 [UK Edition], 1997)
Jay-Z continued his attempts at a more pop-friendly sound with the second single from “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.” His cover of Rose Royce’s “Wishing on a Star” was pretty straightforward, even featuring Rose Royce’s singer Gwen Dickey on the hook. While less striking than “(Always Be My) Sunshine,” “Wishing on a Star” still failed to give listeners a sense of what this new pop-savvy Jay-Z was going to sound like.
57. “Tom Ford” (Magna Carta Holy Grail, 2013)
Jay-Z named his 12th studio album “Magna Carta Holy Grail” and released it via a Samsung app. Should it come as a surprise that he had a song on the album called “Tom Ford?” It’s less a rap song and more a showcase for Timbaland’s bass-heavy beat. If Jay-Z seems bored (which he does), he’s busy picking out his next outfit or counting his stacks of money.
56. “The City Is Mine” feat. Blackstreet (In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997)
The final single from “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1” really got hammered by critics, particularly for its interpolation of Glenn Frey and Jack Tempchin’s “You Belong to the City.” Admittedly, it was an odd choice. Yet, in retrospect, the song is far less offensive than the album’s other singles and lyrically finds Jay-Z digging into the swagger that made “Reasonable Doubt” so appealing.
55. “Hovi Baby” (The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse, 2003)
“‘03 Bonnie & Clyde,” the lead single from “The Blueprint 2” was Jay-Z’s highest-charting song to date. Inexplicably, he follows it up with a dude on the charts in “Hovi Baby.” It’s one of the rare times that a Just Blaze beat didn’t measure up to Jay-Z’s lyrical gifts. For as weak as the beat and chorus sound on “Hovi Baby,” Jay-Z is at his lyrical peak.
54. “Show Me What You Got” (Kingdom Come, 2006)
“What you want me to do? I’m sorry. I’m back.” Jay-Z may have “retired” after “The Black Album,” but he never went anywhere. Between touring, collaborative albums, and features, Jay-Z was very much still one of the most visible music artists in the world. So when he “returned” with, “Show Me What You Got,” the lead single from 2006′s “Kingdom Come,” it wasn’t as refreshing a moment as he might have intended. “Show Me What You Got” caught more flack than it deserved. The Just Blaze beat is, highlighted by the same saxophone sample used in “Rump Shaker,” which is a lot of fun. But as Jay-Z seems to be warning other rappers they better bring their A-game now that the king is bac, his lyrics don’t follow through. “Show Me What You Got” features throwaway line after throwaway line. “The Black Album” suggested a guy who still had a lot of greatness left in him. “Show Me What You Got” opened Hov up to criticism that maybe he should have retired. Ouch.
53. “Blue Magic” feat. Pharrell and En Vogue (American Gangster, 2007)
Jay-Z found inspiration for his tenth studio album, “American Gangster,” from the Denzel Washington movie of the same name. The name “Blue Magic” is a reference to the drugs Washington’s character sold in the film. But the movie was just motivation for Hov to dip into the past: Ni**as wanna bring the 80s back/That’s okay with me, that’s where they made me at...” The Neptunes’ beat on “Blue Magic” might be slightly underwhelming. But this is the most inspired Jay-Z had sounded in quite some time. If he needed to dive back into his drug-dealing past, then so be it.
52. “30 Something” (Kingdom Come, 2007)
The reason “Kingdom Come” doesn’t work is that it found Jay-Z in a transitional moment. He had to find a way to move on from rapping about drugs and young challengers coming for his throne to closing in on being a billionaire. On “30 Something,” he confronts that head-on. But Jay saying “30′s the new 20” is telling, considering he was closer to 40. He hadn’t quite figured things out yet, but over a smooth Dr. Dre beat he was getting there.
51. “H•A•M” with Kanye West (Watch the Throne, 2011)
The first single from “Watch the Throne” is weird. The electronic-driven track sounds like something Jay-Z would never touch. But that was the beauty of Watch the Throne as a collaborative project. Jay was being his uncanny lyrical ability and charisma into Kanye West’s ambitious world. “H.A.M.” doesn’t fully work. But it did suggest just outside the box Jay and Ye were going with their much-anticipated album.
50. “Who You Wit” (Sprung Soundtrack, 1997)
“Who You Wit” was released as a single from the soundtrack to the 1997 comedy “Sprung,” a movie that would make next to nothing at the box office. Still, it gave Jay-Z a track for his sophomore album “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.” For the album version, Jay adds a second verse. The song is very much in the style of “Reasonable Doubt” with a bit more pop sensibility and a nice showcase for how Jay-Z’s ability to write catchy hooks was evolving.
49. “It’s Alright” with Memphis Bleek (Streets Is Watching, 1998)
“It’s Alright,” originally released on the “Streets Is Watching” soundtrack, was the first of several attempts for Jay-Z to push his protégé Memphis Bleek into the forefront. The reality is Bleek never had the same it-factor as his mentor. Just listen to their styles on “It’s Alright.” Jay-Z’s flow seamlessly weaves into the song’s electronic flourishes, while Bleek finds himself overpowered by them. “It’s Alright” would work its way onto Jay-Z’s third album but it was the next trio of singles that would put Hov firmly on top of the rap game.
48. “Jigga That Ni**a” (The Blueprint, 2002)
“Jigga That Ni**a” is arguably the weakest track on “The Blueprint,” featuring a Poke and Tone beat that sounds like it’s about five years too late. And yet, Hov just couldn’t resist including his nickname in yet another song. If it wasn’t a brand already, he was going to make it stuck.
47. “Family Feud” feat. Beyoncé (4:44, 2018)
Following the relationship confessionals that populate the first half of Jay-Z’s “4:44” album, Beyonce hops in for a guest appearance on “Family Feud,” which is reassuring. Her voice is a highlight. Lyrically, the “Family Feud” finds Jay-Z trying to increase the peace among rappers. It’s admirable, but can we get back to the scheduled soap opera programming.
46. “Glory” feat. B.I.C. (2012)
Inspired by the birth of his daughter, Jay-Z dropped “Glory” as a single online. Jay-Z gets, perhaps, as vulnerable as he ever been (mentioning a previous miscarriage) has over a synth-driven beat by the Neptunes.
45. “Change Clothes” feat. Pharrell (The Black Album, 2003)
“Change Clothes” was a bit troublesome upon its release. “The Black Album” was going to be Jay-Z’s final album and the lead single seemed a bit light. The Neptunes beat seems a bit more suited for a Justin Timberlake song. Yet, it did find Jay-Z once again getting his “grown and sexy” on. In some ways, “Change Clothes” feels like it’s from a rapper who has run out of ideas. Yet, the follow-up singles on “The Black Album” would prove Hov had a lot left.
44. “I Know” feat. Pharrell (American Gangster, 2007)
“I Know” harks back to the days of Jay-Z and Pharrell teaming up for amazing club anthems. Yet, to be clear, the song is about drug addiction. Only Jay-Z could pull this sort of thing off.
43. “A Star Is Born” feat. J. Cole (The Blueprint 3, 2010)
Give Jay-Z credit. No matter how big he got, he wasn’t immune to showing respect to his competition as well as young upstarts. On “A Star Is Born,” Hov shouts out all of the peers from his storied career before ceding the spotlight to a young J. Cole. It amounts to a star-making guest verse (true to the song’s name) for Cole, who would take the appearance and run with it to his successful career.
42. “Holy Grail” feat. Justin Timberlake (Magna Carta Holy Grail, 2013)
Jay-Z turned down a guest verse on Justin Timberlake’s “My Love.” He wasn’t going to miss out this time around. After guessing on JT’s comeback single “Suit & Tie,” Hov brought Timberlake in for the opening track from his new album. If you’ve ever wanted to hear Jay-Z rap about having all the money in the world and the trouble that comes with it, the album “Magna Carta Holy Grail” is the album for you. Though, its lead single “Holy Grail” is a lot of fun with Jay rapping Nirvana lyrics and Timberlake delivering the most boisterous hook on a Jay-Z song since “Empire State of Mind.”
41. “Clique” with Kanye West and Big Sean (Cruel Summer, 2012)
Released on the GOOD Music’s “Cruel Summer” compilation, “Clique” feels more like a Kanye West song. And yet, it’s Jay-Z who drops in for the best verse, making it all his own: “]¡Vámonos! Call me Hov or Jefe/Translation: I’m the s**t, ‘least that what my neck say/’Least that what my check say...” Damn.
40. “Bam” feat. Damian Marley (4:44, 2017)
Jay-Z has said he’d like to be remembered like Bob Marley. So, it’s surprising he hasn’t dabbled in reggae more. On “Bam,” he duets with Damian Marley for the most reggae-centric song of his career. It makes you wish he had done this more often earlier in his career.
39. “Run This Town” feat. Kanye West and Rihanna (The Blueprint 3, 2009)
For as big as he was, Jay-Z had never had a No. 1 hit as a lead artist. But he was getting closer. “Run This Town” peaked at No. 2 on the charts. But Jay needed a lot of help to get there. Rihanna delivers the epic chorus while Kanye West drops by to upstage Hov with his final verse: “What you think I rap for, to push a fu**ing Rav-4?”
38. “What It Feels Like” with Nipsey Hussle (Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album, 2021)
As an early endorser of Nipsey Hussle, there was no way Jay-Z was going to turn down a collaboration with the slain rapper. On “What It Feels Like,” from the soundtrack to “Judas and the Black Messiah”) Jay-Z’s verses touch on numerous things, including the film and the same kind of inner-city violence that claimed Hussle’s life. Hearing the late West Coast rapper’s voice will not be an emotional experience.
37. “Change the Game” feat. Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek (Dynasty: Roc La Familia, 2001)
The point of Jay-Z’s “Dynasty” was to promote the other members of Roc-A-Fella Records. Hence, the release of “Change the Game” as the album’s second single aimed at promoting Beanie Sigle and Memphis Bleek. The problem is everyone on the label always paled in comparison when paired with Jay-Z. Bleek and, especially, Sigel, do everything they can to achieve their breakthrough moment. However, inevitably, Jay-Z swoops in at the end to decimate all. And to think the DJ Clue remix is even better.
36. “Swagga Like Us” with T.I., featuring Lil Wayne and Kanye West (2008)
Centered on a sample of M.I.A.’s amazing “Paper Planes,” “Swagga Like Us” immediately became one of the most iconic rap songs of its era by featuring the four hottest emcees in the game at the time (It was officially a single for both Jay-Z and T.I.). What matters about these types of posse cuts is who has the best verse. Sorry, Jay. This one belonged to T.I.
35. “In My Lifetime” (1994)
Jay-Z still sounds somewhat raw on his debut single with hints of the triplet flown he learned from Jaz-O. Yet, compared to the street version he and Dame Dash were selling out of their trunk in 1993, the official version of “In My Lifetime” sounds like the work of a grizzled veteran with glossy samples up and a soulful hook The song was initially released by Payday Records before Jay-Z and Dash left the label over royalties and started Roc-a-Fella Records.
34. “Lost One” featuring Chrisette Michele (Kingdom Come, 2006)
This is more like it. “Kingdom Come” may go down in some circles as Jay-Z’s worst album, but it had its stellar moments. The chief among them is “Lost One.” The song showcases a mature Jay-Z, tackling various kinds of loss including the death of his nephew in the car Jay-Z bought him, the fallout with Dame Dash and the end of a relationship (possibly with Rosario Dawson). This more honest and vulnerable Hov would become the hallmark of his best material moving forward. If only he showcased it more often.
33. “Jigga My Ni**a” (Ryde or Die, Vol. 1, 1999)
“Jigga My Ni**a” was tacked on at the end of Jay-Z’s fourth album “Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter,” but it first appeared on Ruff Ryder’s popular 1999 compilation. At this point, Hov was in cruise control. “Jigga My Ni**a” doesn’t break any new ground. But Jay-Z’s quotable lines drop in effortlessly. Everything he was touching was turning into gold (and platinum). The song was also proof that, save for those associated with the crew, no one rapped over the Ruff Ryders’ production better than Jay-Z.
32. “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” feat. Beyoncé (The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse, 2002)
Jay-Z and Beyonce’s “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde” came out in 2002, which is a bit confusing. But, hey, that’s the risk you take when you time stamps songs. “The Blueprint 2” had its faults. And remaking 2Pac’s “Me and My Girlfriend” while removing the relationship with a gun, seems like a risky choice. But Jay and Bey’s charisma wins out. The “Sex and the City” line is still money. As is Beyonce’s singing the hook from Prince’s “If I Was Your Girlfriend.”
31. “Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)” feat. Amil and Beanie Sigel (Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter, 1999)
“Do It Again,” the lead single from Jay-Z’s fourth album, is a bit misleading. It masquerades as a club anthem, while actually being a scathing introduction to Hov’s next era. “Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter” was the most brutal Jay-Z sounded up until that point, seemingly annoyed with all the shots he was taking while sitting on rap’s thrown. “Do It Again” doesn’t even kick off with Jay, but rather a stellar turn by Beanie Sigel, the most vicious lyricist Roc-A-Fella ever put out. However, Jay-Z quickly snatches the track back on the second verse: “Don’t talk to me ‘bout MC’s got skills/He’s alright, but he’s not real...” If only “Vol. 3” maintained this energy throughout.
30. “Ain’t No Ni**a” feat. Foxy Brown (Reasonable Doubt, 1996)
By today’s sonic standards, “Ain’t No N**ga” (which went by “Ain’t No Playa” for radio purposes) seems mild as a club banger. But put the song on at any club in New York in 1996 and people went wild. The chemistry between Hov and Foxy Brown was on par with that of Biggie and Lil’ Kim, and the funky sample on “Ain’t No N**ga” remains downright infectious. The song wasn’t a massive hit, despite being featured on “The Nutty Professor” soundtrack. But it did Put Jay-Z and newcomer Brown in the minds of hip-hop heads in terms of who might be next up to hit the mainstream.
29. “Apeshit” with Beyoncé (Everything Is Love, 2018)
Jay-Z and Beyonce only gave us one single from The Carters’ album “Everything Is Love.” But it was a doozy. “Apes**t” feels like it was specifically designed to close out the duo’s corresponding world tour, which it did. Live, it’s a showstopper and Beyonce absolutely shuts things down.
28. “Girls, Girls, Girls” (The Blueprint, 2001)
Everything on “The Blueprint” sounds so seamless. Jay-Z plays on stereotypes in describing the ladies in his life. And while lines like “I come scoop you in that Coupe, sittin’ on deuce-zeroes/Fix your hair in the mirror, let’s roll” are dripping with swagger, it’s Just Blaze’s sped-up sample of Tom Brock’s “There’s Nothing In This World That Can Stop Me From Loving You” that gets you every time.
27. “Gotta Have It” with Kanye West (Watch the Throne, 2011)
“Gotta Have It” could certainly give “Otis” a run for its money in terms of old-school samples. The song incorporates elements of three James Brown songs for an ill beat courtesy of West and The Neptunes. Jay-Z and Kanye West are in fine form as well: “And last party we had, they shut down Prive/Ain’t that where the Heat play? Yep, ni**as hate ballers these days/Yep, Ain’t that like LeBron James?/Ain’t that just like D-Wade, wait...”
26. “Part II (On the Run)” feat. Beyoncé (Magna Carta Holy Grail, 2014)
Beyonce’s and Jay-Z’s “Drunk in Love” came out in 2013, which put the Jay and Bey musical partnership in overdrive. The next delight came in the form of “Part II (On the Run).” The song is a spiritual sequel to “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde,” but outdoes with a love story that doubles as a heist movie score. Their love was infectious.
25. “La-La-La (Excuse Me Again)” (Bad Boys II Soundtrack, 2003)
“La La La” is a sequel to “Excuse Me Miss” only because Jay-Z says it was. Jay uses the same catchphrase and another Neptunes beat. But “La-La-La” is a club anthem that was a standout on the “Bad Boys II” soundtrack. It’s also a do-over that should have been a standout on “The Blueprint 2.” This is the Jay everyone wanted: “He’s not a sane man, he’s more like Rain Man, twitching...”
24. “Dear Summer” (534, 2005)
“Dear Summer” is technically not a Jay-Z single. But it is. The song was featured on Memphis Bleek’s album “534.” Yet, Bleek is nowhere to be found on the album’s standout cut. Over an awesome soul sample from Just Blaze, Jay makes another attempt at saying goodbye. But he also seems intent on proving he’s still got it. And he does, as the song features one of the best lyrical performances from a post-2000 Hov.
23. “Money, Cash, Hoes” feat. DMX (Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, 1998)
As the story goes, there was once an epic, 1990s rap battle between Jay-Z and a rapper named DMX. Hov was the more accomplished lyricist, but DMX had an overpowering nature that was unlike anything else in hip hop. The two would eventually become friends, joining forces for “Money, Cash, Hoes.” You could once again make the case that X upstages Jay-Z, this time on his own song. But Jay was smart enough to know DMX was quickly ascending to superstardom. Besides, while X takes hold of the song’s hook (over an early Swizz Beatz production), it’s Jay-Z who drops the signature line: “It’s like New York’s been soft ever since Snoop came through and crushed the buildings...”
22. “Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...” (American Gangster, 2007)
“Roc Boys” is the moment your realized Jay-Z was truly back. The swagger had returned and the rhymes were once again top notch. Surprisingly, it came by working with Diddy’s production team The Hitmen. But those horns certainly feel like a do-over. “Roc Boys” is what “Show Me What You Got” should have been.
21. “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” feat. R. Kelly (Dynasty: Roc La Familia, 2001)
Jay-Z wasn’t known to get too personal with his lyrics. But on the “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” he dives into his legal troubles surrounding the press’ coverage of the stabbing of Lance “Un” Rivera, for which Jay-Z received three years’ probation for. That entire situation is a thing of the past. What “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” is best remembered for is setting up the partnership between Jay and R. Kelly. The latter’s “Fiesta” would follow, eventually leading to the duo’s disappointing collaboration albums.
20. “Excuse Me Miss” feat. Pharrell (The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse, 2003)
“Excuse Me Miss” is a four-and-a-half-minute pickup line. But it works. Jay-Z didn’t have the looks of Brad Pitt. But he could smooth talk with the best of them. Joined by Pharrell, Jay gets his “grown man on” over a song that’s built entirely on an ancient introductory phrase that would become a pop culture fixture from 2003 on.
19. “Numb/Encore” with Linkin Park (Collision Course, 2004)
Jay-Z might have “retired” with 2004′s “The Black Album.” But he certainly stayed busy, working with R. Kelly and dropping the “Collision Course” EP with Linkin Park. The mashup project saw two of the biggest music acts in the world remixing their music together. The standout track was “Numb/Encore,” a combination of two amazing songs that works amazingly. With all due respect to Jay, it’s Linkin Park’s second half that steals the show. The pain in the late Chester Bennington’s voice gives you chills.
18. “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” (The Blueprint 3, 2009)
Jay certainly knew how to make a big statement when it came time to drop the lead single from “The Blueprint 3.” “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” is a bit hypocritical. Its inspiration came from an Auto-Tune song Jay and Kanye made and then scrapped. It was Kanye’s idea to every trace of Auto-Tune from the album. Thus, inspiring Jay to aim the recording fad. Of course, Auto-Tune wasn’t going anywhere. But only Jay-Z could “rewrite history without a pen.” Who was going to question him? T-Pain?
17. “4:44” (4:44, 2017)
Jay-Z had dabbled in relationship troubles before (See: “Song Cry” and “30 Something”). But this time around he couldn’t avoid that emotion that comes with it. “I was just fuckin’ those girls, I was gon’ get right back...” Woah. The title track from his stellar “4:44” is a confessional that stays with you. The song could seem like a desperate plea. But the sincerity radiates through the track.
16. “No Church in the Wild” with Kanye West, feat. Frank Ocean (Watch the Throne, 2012)
If you took a poll of fans as to the best track from “Watch the Throne,” “No Church in the Wild” might win out. As the opening track, the song sets the tone for the intensity of the entire album with an inspired vocal performance from Frank Ocean. The production and the rhymes are thrillingly cinematic. This is how you begin one of the most anticipated rap albums of all time.
15. “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)” (Dynasty: Roc La Familia, 2000)
After a year of getting rugged over Swizz Beatz and Timbaland beats, Jay-Z got back to breezy territory for the lead single from his fifth album. “I Just Wanna Love U” pairs jay with the hottest hip-hop production team heading into the 21st century in The Neptunes with Pharrell Williams on the hook. The Neptunes were already pretty accomplished, but “I Just Wanna Love U” opened them up to a whole new world of pop collaborations. In some Jay-Z fan circles, “I Just Wanna Love U” is regarded near the top of the list of his greatest songs. That may be a bit of a reach. But at the start of the 2000s, no song had more buzz.
14. “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” (The Black Album, 2003)
Despite being a bit lackluster, “Change Clothes” did what it needed to as the lead single from “The Black Album.” But it was “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” that showed Jay-Z’s supposed finale was going to be epic. “Dirt of Your Shoulder” is vintage Jay going in over a fantastic Timbaland beat as he crafts a catchphrase everyone, including Barack Obama, would be repeating in the years that followed.
13. “Can’t Knock the Hustle” feat. Mary J. Blige (Reasonable Doubt, 1996)
Though an amazing song, the opening track from “Reasonable Doubt” may have been an odd choice for the third single from the album. One of the DJ Premier-produced cuts or “Can I Live” might have been a more optimal choice. Roc-a-Fella was looking to capitalize on Mary J. Blige’s star power. “Can’t Knock the Hustle” worked its way into the top-10 on the rap charts but failed to hit pop circles. In truth, the song was a bit toned down in its vibe. Yet, the Blige’s gritty R&B sound plays the perfect match for Jay-Z’s mafioso raps. They were a match made in heaven on the song that sets an amazing tone for one of the greatest rap albums of all time.
12. “Ni**a What, Ni**a Who (Originator 99)” feat. Amil and Big Jaz (Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, 1999)
Jay-Z goes back to who speed-rap origins on “Ni**ga What, Ni**a Who,” inviting his former mentor Big Jaz along for the ride. For those unfamiliar with Jay-Z’s origins, the song was a showcase for just how lyrically diverse he was. It was also set the stage for a career’s worth of tremendous collaborations between Jay and producer Timbaland.
11. “Song Cry” (The Blueprint, 2002)
It would take Jay-Z years to fully seem comfortable with his emotions. But the seeds for an album like “4:44” are planted on “Song Cry.” The track that finds Jay showcasing a rare sense of vulnerability is dramatic even in its song title. Jay-Z’s voice never cracks. But the Just Blaze production oozes with enough emotion for all of us.
10. “Can I Get A...” feat. Ja Rule and Amil (Def Jam’s Rush Hour Soundtrack, 1998)
Produced by Irv Gotti and Lil’ Rob, “Can I Get A...” was night and day in terms of Jay-Z’s reach for a mainstream hit. This banger, featured on the soundtrack for “Rush Hour,” is the perfect mix of gangsta and pop that finds Jay-Z cascading around the song’s slick groove. As a bonus, the track would introduce the world to newbies Roc-A-Fella rapper Amil and Gotti’s artist Ja Rule. Of course, only one of them would capitalize on the song’s success.
9. “Otis” with Kanye West, feat. Otis Redding (Watch the Throne, 2011)
Jay-Z and Kanye West going back with incredible lines over an astonishing beat. It’s what fans of both had been dying for. And that sick beat...Well, let’s all appreciate the genius of West through the words of Roc Nation executive Lenny Santiago, who was there for the making of “Watch the Throne”: “[Kanye] was being reminded that he had to leave to catch his flight. He sort of brushed that off and was like, f**k it, let me just play y’all a piece of the song so you could see how dope it is. He then approached the MPC and Keyboard and plays it. Everyone in the room does the ugly face like when you hear some dope s**t or see the sickest slam dunk at a contest...15 or 20 minutes later, before he runs off to catch his flight, he creates the phenomenal track known to us as ‘Otis.’”
8. “Empire State of Mind” feat. Alicia Keys (The Blueprint 3, 2009)
If anyone was ever going to release a New York anthem on par with Frank Sinatra’s iconic theme, it was going to be Jay-Z, the man who, indeed, did make the Yankee fitted more famous than any Yankee ever did. “Empire State of Mind” is a massive song. The hook is loud, the drums hit hard and the piano melody is like something, well, out of an Alicia Keys song. Jay-Z knew when reaching for a timeless classic to reach for the stars. It fittingly gave him his first No. 1 hit as a lead artist.
7. “Feelin’ It” (Reasonable Doubt, 1996)
Jay-Z was 26 when “Reasonable Doubt” arrived, an advanced age for a rapper dropping his debut album (consider Biggie and 2Pac died before their 26th birthday). So he came across an old soul. The beat for “Feelin’ It” was originally meant for Camp Lo. However, its jazzy vibes of the Ski Beatz production proved perfect for Hov’s sophisticated rhymes. “Feelin’ It” is one of the most cinematic tracks on “Reasonable Doubt,” an album that seeks to musically mimic the atmosphere of a mob movie.
6. “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” (The Blueprint, 2001)
The first sound anyone had heard from Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint” was “The Takeover,” a fiery diss track aimed at Nas and Mobb Deep. The song was produced by Kanye West, but it didn’t indicate where Jay-Z was moving sonically. Built around soulful beats from Kanye West and Just Blaze, “The Blueprint” may very well be the best-produced rap album of all time. Leading the way was “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” a track that samples The Jackson 5′s “I Want You Back.” Where some of Jay’s pop-happy samples failed him early in his career, West knew how to work with old-school R&B tracks and gives “Izzo” just enough of a gloss for Jay-Z to craft a catchy hook on top of.
5. “Ni**as in Paris” with Kanye West (Watch the Throne, 2011)
What a cultural phenomenon and a window into how Kanye West’s mind works. Ye was inspired by the concept of “Ni**as in Paris” simply thinking about the life he lives when he’s going to fashion shows in Europe. Apparently, it gets real cray. To Jay-Z’s credit, he rolls with it, gifting the song a stellar opening verse and the iconic “Ball so hard...” line that would be looped throughout. Then West fully commits the overblown nature of a song that people couldn’t get enough of...he goes gorilla.
4. “Big Pimpin’” feat. UGK (Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter, 2000)
Jay-Z’s fourth album hasn’t aged very well. However, most, if not all, is usually forgiven thanks to “Big Pimpin,’” not just one of the greatest songs of Jay-Z’s career, but one of the more monumental hip hop tracks of all time. Timbaland’s production ranks with the finest of his career. But the song becomes iconic with the presence of UGK. The guest verses from southern rap legends Pimp C and Bun B almost didn’t happen as Pimp C hated the beat. Bun B was able to convince his rhyme partner it was something they couldn’t pass up. Bun B was right and UGK appropriately stole the show on Jay-Z’s big hit.
3. “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” (Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, 1998)
This was it, the song that made Jay-Z a superstar. Everything in his career can be defined by either coming before “Hard Knock Life” or coming after it. As soon as the song hits, you know it’s special. But what made it a game-changer was, of course, the sample of the musical “Annie.” It was unheard of in rap, but Jay-Z pulled it off with ease. The song’s hook, which was more than 20 years old at that point, would resonate among various demographics, giving Jay-Z the massive audience he’d been craving for three albums.
2. “Dead Presidents” (Reasonable Doubt, 1996)
The first version of “Dead Presidents” served as the promotional single for Jay-Z’s debut album “Reasonable Doubt.” Yet, when it came time to drop the album, Hov had re-recorded his verses on what would become “Dead Presidents II.” Both versions of the song feature some of Jay-Z’s greatest verses over a sample of Nas’ classic “The World Is Yours.” Nas was originally supposed to re-perform the chorus in a guest appearance but declined, planting the seeds for the duo’s infamous beef years later. As Jay-Z would famously rap on 2001′s “The Takeover,” “You made it a hot line/I made it a hot song.” An oversimplified statement, but a correct one. The release of “Dead Presidents” stands as a landmark moment for Jay-Z that instantly put him in the conversation with Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. as King of New York.
1. ”99 Problems” (The Black Album, 2004)
Jay-Z has had bigger songs than “99 Problems.” But none quite as astonishing. Nothing he’d done up until that point had suggested he had this in him. Jay was a fan of the old-school, but more in a spiritual sense. “99 Problems” takes you back to 1980s hip hop in the literal sense with producer Rick Rubin digging into the crates for the guitar-heavy boom-bap he used to LL Cool J on the map. Jay does the rest with his lyrical themes, using the B-word to express his displeasure with music critics, racist police and tough guy who “wouldn’t bust a grape in a fruit fight.” It’s the most creative emcee of all-time meeting up with one of the most inventive producers of all time for an instant classic.