Best to worst Jay Z album (2017)
Doesn't matter if you listen to rap or not, name Jay Z should ring a bell. Shawn "Jay - Z" cater, or also known as, Jigga, Jay, Hova, Hov, is not just a rapper but known entrepreneur who have successfully established business from record label to sports management, owned basketball team, music streaming, sports bar, restaurants, clothing labels, champagne investor, cigar investor and many other ventures. But Jay Z wouldn't be Jay Z without his rap career. And with his latest album dropped on exclusively through Sprint x Tidal partnership, "4:44"; it would be his 13th solo record(not including Watch the throne and Collison Course). So, in this blog, I will go down the list, as my opinion of, best to worst Jay Z albums. Let's begin.
BEST 👍
1.Blueprint 3(2009):
It's probably risky thing to say the Blueprint 3 is the best Jay-Z album because many probably put Reasonable Doubt as Jay's best album, but at the end of the day, this is my list. I loved BP3 because it felt like Reasonable Doubt of 21st Century. Songs like D.O.A, Thank You, and Real As it Gets had Jazzy vibe to the song and who can deny those horns. Also, songs like Empire State of Mind, Already Home and Young Forever were just simply classic songs and would have been singles if it was on other album. Also, On to the next one is just amazing new sound.
2. Reasonable Doubt(1996):
Many would say that artist's first album is their best album. Jay-Z is no different. Even Jay-Z said that on an interview that because it took all the years to lead up to that one album; the first album. And often time, the first album is the most rawest album because they are finally revealing themselves to the world. When a rapper makes songs that is so trendy and current, I feel it get's left in the time capsule. Jay-Z said that he was worried to sign Rihanna because her first single "Pon De Replay" was such a hit that it would only let audience think of that song when they think of her. Over shadowed by the huge success of the song. But when the album is truly yours; with your lyrics, your selection of the beats, your sound; it is distinguished with other sounds. So, when songs like "Dead President", "Can't knocked the hustle", "Regrets" is part of your first album, it shows your side. This is time when Pac joined Death Row and dropped songs like "Hit'em UP" and "California Love" were killing the rap scene. Gangster rap was running the game but Jay drop album that I would think he was proud of.
3. The Black Album(2003):
Beside the hype that surrounded this album about this being the last album of his rap career and he even had his jersey being retired(like a NBA player) at Madison Square garden, which became false when he came back with Kingdom Come, this was still an amazing record. Song''s like "99 problems" became very popular due to it's catchy hook, "Dirt off the shoulder" getting Obama to brush his shoulder off to other presidential candidates, and "Public Service Announcement" just was a great success. And of course, my love for live instrument, got me loving a song "Encore" which my mother thought it was little over the top because the she thought song sounded like idol worshiping when she heard the bridge part, screaming "Say Hova, come on say HO -VA, HO-VA, HO-VA". Being a big christian, if I told my mom what 'Hova' meant, she probably had me stop listening to Jay-Z all together.
4. Magna Carta - Holy Grail(2013):
This album also had so much hype around it. Not saying Jay's other albums didn't, but when you are a marketing genius and making teasers with Samsung to guarantee to go platinum in first day, there's definitely hype around it. But these songs weren't just simple songs laid out to be hook+verse+hook+verse+bridge + verse +hook songs, these songs had weird arrangements. some songs would have one verse, some song started with Intro+verse+Hook+verse+ and hook; simply put it was not set as generic pop song equation. The album had a bit more grown up sound to it and album marked the untouchable Jay that became Rap God or Hova as he would put. Songs like Tom Ford, Picasso, and BBC became popular songs and songs like Holy Grail and Nickels and Dime became my favorite songs.
5.Vol.2...Hard Knock Life(1998):
Really would think in my heart that this album should be higher in the list for me but those top 4 are hard to compete. This was the first time I ever heard of Jay-Z as I came to America in 1997. I didn't listen to american rap and I was young. i remember when movie Rush Hour came out with the song "Can I get A.." came out. I was like what is this? And I also heard Hard Knock Life, Jigga my Nigga, and Snoopy Track and I was like "Whoa, this is american rap?" I didn't understand any of the lyrics but I loved it.
6. The Blueprint (2001)
This was an amazing album, many would put Blueprint next to Reasonable doubt and black album but this is my list and other 5 albums above deserve these spots. Blueprint had one of top Jay's song "Izzo" which Kanye West produced before Kanye dropped his first album "College Dropout". Also, this album had Renegade with Eminem, which I feel Em might been being lazy because the song did actually exist before the official release with Jay(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_O_-URLgIM). Also, this album had the song "Takeover" that started the beef between Jay and Nas which Nas responded with "Ether". Classic album indeed.
7. 4:44 (2017)
Initially, I didn't like this album. I hated the personal stories that seems to be more therapy session than an album. But as I kept listening, for those same reasons, I fell in in love. I don't want to call this Jay-Z's album, this is Shawn Carters album. Like the song "Regret" from Reasonable Doubt where he said on one of the interview, "Regret wasn't Jay-Z, you saw the side of Shawn Carter", which is more human, more personal, more conscious. The single was "The Story of O.J", awesome video and the song but don't think it should've been the first single. I like "Kill Jay-Z", "Smile", "4:44", "Family Feud", "Legacy", and "Moonlight". I also like "Bam" but you can hear Jay-Z, rather than Shawn Carter, in that song. This is a grown up album.
8. In my Lifetime Vol. 1 (1997)
This album is dope. It has one of my favorite track "Where I'm From" which is the most gritty sound Jay album made for Brooklyn. "The City is Mine" and "Friend or Foe '98" are great tracks as well.
9. The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002)
This album is really popular for one main reason. This album is Jay introducing Beyonce as his girlfriend. The song "03 Bonnie & Clyde" featuring Beyonce was them addressing their relationship rumor. Sampling Tupac's " Me & my girlfriend" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjAta8xLg3M), Jay sang "All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend" and Bey response "down to ride to the very end, it's me and my boyfriend". We could see more grown up Jay-Z. He retired his jerseys and put on button up shirt with song "Excuse me miss". The album was ok. I think the best song from this double disc album(one gift & one curse), it's song "A Dream" featuring Faith Evans and Biggie verse from "Juicy".
10. American Gangster (2007)
Album came out as concept album for the movie "American Gangster" starting Denzel and Russell Crowe. This album was second album after Jay came out of retirement. "Blue Magic", which is describing the purest form of Cocaine, was the title of the first single featuring Pharrell which also produce the track. But second single "Roc Boys" was better in my opinion. Check the video out of Roc Boys, it's awesome. I also enjoyed "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" featuring Lil Wayne, which the Jay say in the last verse that "...in couple years,baby I bring you some Nets". Which he was working on bringing New Jersey Nets to, now known, Brooklyn Nets.
11. Kingdom Come (2006)
Kingdom come was his MJ 45 moment. Came out of retirement with song that intro sampled from 2 live crew and says "This is state of emergency. What you want me to do? I'm Sorry. I'm Back" in "Show me what you got". This album was most statement record then actually record. He took a shot at his former partner Dame Dash on the song "Lost One", where he says "I heard muthfuckas said they made HOV. Made HOV? Ok, then, make another HOV?".
12. Vol. 3....Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)
Don't knock this album because I put it down so low, this album bangs. I recommend 3 tracks from this album "Do It Again", "Snoopy Track", and the most famous Jay-Z track of all time, "Big Pimpin". So, you might ask why I put this album so low on the chart. The reason is because this album seems to be trendy album, not Jay album. he followed the early 2000 sound. Yes, the "Big Pimpin" came out of that sound, but this didn't have too much personality.
worst 👎
13. The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)
Like the album title "Roc La Familia" this is collective album for all Roc-A- Fella artist during the time. But the album didn't really have too much hit. I enjoy few songs like "Change the Game", "You, me, him, and her", "Guilty until proven innocent" and "I just wanna Love U". But this album didn't feel like his album, but more like group album. Group made of all Roc - A -Fella artist.
Conclusion:
Regardless if it;s top or best album, Jay-Z is still my favorite rapper and idol.
Many would say that artist's first album is their best album. Jay-Z is no different. Even Jay-Z said that on an interview that because it took all the years to lead up to that one album; the first album. And often time, the first album is the most rawest album because they are finally revealing themselves to the world. When a rapper makes songs that is so trendy and current, I feel it get's left in the time capsule. Jay-Z said that he was worried to sign Rihanna because her first single "Pon De Replay" was such a hit that it would only let audience think of that song when they think of her. Over shadowed by the huge success of the song. But when the album is truly yours; with your lyrics, your selection of the beats, your sound; it is distinguished with other sounds. So, when songs like "Dead President", "Can't knocked the hustle", "Regrets" is part of your first album, it shows your side. This is time when Pac joined Death Row and dropped songs like "Hit'em UP" and "California Love" were killing the rap scene. Gangster rap was running the game but Jay drop album that I would think he was proud of.
3. The Black Album(2003):
Beside the hype that surrounded this album about this being the last album of his rap career and he even had his jersey being retired(like a NBA player) at Madison Square garden, which became false when he came back with Kingdom Come, this was still an amazing record. Song''s like "99 problems" became very popular due to it's catchy hook, "Dirt off the shoulder" getting Obama to brush his shoulder off to other presidential candidates, and "Public Service Announcement" just was a great success. And of course, my love for live instrument, got me loving a song "Encore" which my mother thought it was little over the top because the she thought song sounded like idol worshiping when she heard the bridge part, screaming "Say Hova, come on say HO -VA, HO-VA, HO-VA". Being a big christian, if I told my mom what 'Hova' meant, she probably had me stop listening to Jay-Z all together.
4. Magna Carta - Holy Grail(2013):
This album also had so much hype around it. Not saying Jay's other albums didn't, but when you are a marketing genius and making teasers with Samsung to guarantee to go platinum in first day, there's definitely hype around it. But these songs weren't just simple songs laid out to be hook+verse+hook+verse+bridge + verse +hook songs, these songs had weird arrangements. some songs would have one verse, some song started with Intro+verse+Hook+verse+ and hook; simply put it was not set as generic pop song equation. The album had a bit more grown up sound to it and album marked the untouchable Jay that became Rap God or Hova as he would put. Songs like Tom Ford, Picasso, and BBC became popular songs and songs like Holy Grail and Nickels and Dime became my favorite songs.
5.Vol.2...Hard Knock Life(1998):
Really would think in my heart that this album should be higher in the list for me but those top 4 are hard to compete. This was the first time I ever heard of Jay-Z as I came to America in 1997. I didn't listen to american rap and I was young. i remember when movie Rush Hour came out with the song "Can I get A.." came out. I was like what is this? And I also heard Hard Knock Life, Jigga my Nigga, and Snoopy Track and I was like "Whoa, this is american rap?" I didn't understand any of the lyrics but I loved it.
6. The Blueprint (2001)
This was an amazing album, many would put Blueprint next to Reasonable doubt and black album but this is my list and other 5 albums above deserve these spots. Blueprint had one of top Jay's song "Izzo" which Kanye West produced before Kanye dropped his first album "College Dropout". Also, this album had Renegade with Eminem, which I feel Em might been being lazy because the song did actually exist before the official release with Jay(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_O_-URLgIM). Also, this album had the song "Takeover" that started the beef between Jay and Nas which Nas responded with "Ether". Classic album indeed.
7. 4:44 (2017)
Initially, I didn't like this album. I hated the personal stories that seems to be more therapy session than an album. But as I kept listening, for those same reasons, I fell in in love. I don't want to call this Jay-Z's album, this is Shawn Carters album. Like the song "Regret" from Reasonable Doubt where he said on one of the interview, "Regret wasn't Jay-Z, you saw the side of Shawn Carter", which is more human, more personal, more conscious. The single was "The Story of O.J", awesome video and the song but don't think it should've been the first single. I like "Kill Jay-Z", "Smile", "4:44", "Family Feud", "Legacy", and "Moonlight". I also like "Bam" but you can hear Jay-Z, rather than Shawn Carter, in that song. This is a grown up album.
8. In my Lifetime Vol. 1 (1997)
This album is dope. It has one of my favorite track "Where I'm From" which is the most gritty sound Jay album made for Brooklyn. "The City is Mine" and "Friend or Foe '98" are great tracks as well.
9. The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002)
This album is really popular for one main reason. This album is Jay introducing Beyonce as his girlfriend. The song "03 Bonnie & Clyde" featuring Beyonce was them addressing their relationship rumor. Sampling Tupac's " Me & my girlfriend" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjAta8xLg3M), Jay sang "All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend" and Bey response "down to ride to the very end, it's me and my boyfriend". We could see more grown up Jay-Z. He retired his jerseys and put on button up shirt with song "Excuse me miss". The album was ok. I think the best song from this double disc album(one gift & one curse), it's song "A Dream" featuring Faith Evans and Biggie verse from "Juicy".
10. American Gangster (2007)
Album came out as concept album for the movie "American Gangster" starting Denzel and Russell Crowe. This album was second album after Jay came out of retirement. "Blue Magic", which is describing the purest form of Cocaine, was the title of the first single featuring Pharrell which also produce the track. But second single "Roc Boys" was better in my opinion. Check the video out of Roc Boys, it's awesome. I also enjoyed "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" featuring Lil Wayne, which the Jay say in the last verse that "...in couple years,baby I bring you some Nets". Which he was working on bringing New Jersey Nets to, now known, Brooklyn Nets.
11. Kingdom Come (2006)
Kingdom come was his MJ 45 moment. Came out of retirement with song that intro sampled from 2 live crew and says "This is state of emergency. What you want me to do? I'm Sorry. I'm Back" in "Show me what you got". This album was most statement record then actually record. He took a shot at his former partner Dame Dash on the song "Lost One", where he says "I heard muthfuckas said they made HOV. Made HOV? Ok, then, make another HOV?".
12. Vol. 3....Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)
Don't knock this album because I put it down so low, this album bangs. I recommend 3 tracks from this album "Do It Again", "Snoopy Track", and the most famous Jay-Z track of all time, "Big Pimpin". So, you might ask why I put this album so low on the chart. The reason is because this album seems to be trendy album, not Jay album. he followed the early 2000 sound. Yes, the "Big Pimpin" came out of that sound, but this didn't have too much personality.
worst 👎
13. The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)
Like the album title "Roc La Familia" this is collective album for all Roc-A- Fella artist during the time. But the album didn't really have too much hit. I enjoy few songs like "Change the Game", "You, me, him, and her", "Guilty until proven innocent" and "I just wanna Love U". But this album didn't feel like his album, but more like group album. Group made of all Roc - A -Fella artist.
Conclusion:
Regardless if it;s top or best album, Jay-Z is still my favorite rapper and idol.
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