A1 since day1

catch up ninjas

blueprint in my opinion is the greatest hip hop ever made

This is magical. Gotta say the Black Album, in my opinion the greatest hiphop album ever. And Jay made me fall in love with hiphop, so to me he is the greatest ever lived. He’s so much more than the game!

Here is the fact,I was born in 1990 and he was born in 1969,Blacks are still roughly misjudged,Segregation is still in command.Rap came along with drugs and pending with glory came chains and a new hustle.Sleepless nights are never a thing if you are stan of pop culture, so the scoreboard is basically a phase to what most people fail to complete.If we all looked at so many Artist none of them were never this good.I have to mention people like Mosdef who thought to take on rap and failed completely.The ideology of promotion can turn back on you,however to be a genius, is yourself emphasising what your past may have turned you to.Just wondering how many people agree with this post cause i am on my way to make a billion baby.

This is magical. Gotta say the Black Album, in my opinion the greatest hiphop album ever. And Jay, made me fall in love with hiphop, to me you are the greatest ever lived. You so much more than the game!

That “Sorry critics, it’s good” gotta apply to #6 too, they’ve been laming since July

If this is the ranking, I don’t know how Vol. 1 is not four or five. Imaginary Player, Where I’m from, Streets is Watching, and Crack Game. Yeah, I am going charge this list to endless birthday shots of D’Usse.

If this is the ranking, I don’t know how Vol. 1 is not four or five. Imaginary Player, Where I’m from, Streets is Watching, and Crack Game. Yeah, I am going charge this list to endless birthday shots of D’Usse.

I always tell people AG is a top 5 Hov album, they don’t hear me though! But BP3 can’t just hang on the coattail of Empire State of Mind forever, c’mon son.

If you know me or at some point have traveled through life with me, you would know how big of a role in 22 years of my life that this man has played. From “I’d rather die enormous than live dormant” to ”the drought will define a man when the well dries up
You learn the worth of water without work, you thirst til you die, yup!”. Where I’m from we look to hip hop for knowledge. Rappers become the fathers to the fatherless streets and my RAP DAD is raising me right. People like Jay put the lenses on the blind and in many ways awake the walking dead. He to me represents hope. THE AMERICAN DREAM. Most importantly with me growing up without a dad, he represents a Man. I would like to say Happy Birthday to THE GREATEST, THE GOD MC, THE MODERN DAY PABLO, SINATRA AT THE OPERA, KING OF HIP HOP, MY HERO, SHAWN ”JAY Z” CARTER.

Dynasty is WAAAAY too low

Dynasty is WAAAAY too low

Vol. 2 is really waaay too high. It’s Only there for Hard Knock Life, it’s his best selling and it made him into the superstar he is now. American Gangster is (to me) leagues ahead. Love them both though and the top 3 are unmistakable.

Vol. 2 is really waaay too high. It’s Only there for Hard Knock Life, it’s his best selling and it made him into the superstar he is now. American Gangster is (to me) leagues ahead. Love them both though and the top 3 are unmistakable.

Yes, and I have all of them. He is the only artist that I actually buy a CD for instead of the digital.

Ha.. “Sorry critics, it’s good.” Hov can’t let Sunshine hold that much weight on Volume 1, there’s too much amazing music on that album. At least we both agree that RD is his GOAT. Timeless music.

Switch Dynasty and MCHG and it’s perfect.

No way is Vol 2 a classic. Love ya Jay but no bro. Album is dated as fuck. As not stood the test of time. AG is classic to me but it;s only 5 years old….

An Dynasty is better than Vol.1, Magna Carta (although MC is hard…Heaven and FUTW, Blue, La Famalia)

Co-Sign

Sunshine tho….

I agree…Vol 2. screams 1998 but it’s definitely one of my favorites

The Dynasty could either go above or under the Black Album

Reasonable doubt hit the streets my freshman year of College, but the vibe and tensions which scripted that album were already seeded into the fabric of our culture. Can I Live is one of the greatest Hip Hop tracks of all time. In my opinion even better then Rakims Melody. This album is a rappers album, its a lyricists album. It is probably why we can honestly say Jay Hova the Go.

BP2 dropped around the time I was flying out west 6 months out of the year. I would catch the red eye, and let that album play straight through on my headphones while I attempted to sleep. Its because of that fact, that I hold that album in high regard. I believe its the fact I allowed the lyrics to hit my subconscious, which is where I imagine Jay scripts his psalms from.

Kingdom Come had Beach Chairs on it. If you don’t understand the depth of that song, then you have probably never read the alchemists! Your possibly squandering your life away on the internet every day so forget you.

Okay, I am done, I have a short attention span.

Your probably listening to the boot leg that leaked. Buy the official one, its not low.

an honest self-assessment.

I agree with a good portion of his opinion, but Hov we gotta flip flop Vol.2 and American Gangster. If we split BP2 into two albums I think they would move up that list a little bit.

you silence those lies

Black Album is the reason why i luv hiphop

Only quarrel I have is Dynasty ABOVE BP3.. You BUGGIN on that one Hov (Intro, Script, Cant Be Life, Soon You’ll, Where Have You Been, 1-900) Regardless all these are #TIMELESS

Vol 2 did wonders not only for Hovs career but for hip-hop too, but as an album, American Gangster should be placed higher…if we are being objective

cant argue with this big boss… keep runnin shit

You’ve been rude with BP2, it might be a little too long but I can’t lie, i’ve played this record like a motherfucker. Can’t say the same with BP3..

1. Reasonable Doubt (simply because it is)
2. American Gangster ( Entire album soulful & realistic lyrics) – hello brook smh lil wayne should not have been on this album.
3. The Blueprint ( Reinvented him and a new era of sound) ie Kanye + one of hiphops biggest battles
4. Vol. 2 ( He became cleaver lyrically)
5. Black Album ( was a huge moment in music ps: Allure alone is worth the album)
6. Bp2 ( The talk of success, showed me that I could be more and gave me the drive to start my business and incorporate!)
7. Magna Carta ( The creative process down to the marketing was genius) or at least seemed that way
8. Bp3 (The flow on the intro) the video for on to the next one ruined this album.. D.O.A is amazing
9. Dynasty ( huge for the ROC kinda began his reign as king)
10. kingdom come (show me what you got, was huge… wheeeeeeeeeew one i first heard the sax. + lost one.
11. vol 1
12. vol 3
Watch the throne was amazing but kanye seemed lazy..lyrically with the exeption of otis

1. Reasonable Doubt (simply because it is)
2. American Gangster ( Entire album soulful & realistic lyrics) – hello brook smh lil wayne should not have been on this album.
3. The Blueprint ( Reinvented him and a new era of sound) ie Kanye + one of hiphops biggest battles
4. Vol. 2 ( He became cleaver lyrically)
5. Black Album ( was a huge moment in music ps: Allure alone is worth the album)
6. Bp2 ( The talk of success, showed me that I could be more and gave me the drive to start my business and incorporate!)
7. Magna Carta ( The creative process down to the marketing was genius) or at least seemed that way
8. Bp3 (The flow on the intro) the video for on to the next one ruined this album.. D.O.A is amazing
9. Dynasty ( huge for the ROC kinda began his reign as king)
10. kingdom come (show me what you got, was huge… wheeeeeeeeeew one i first heard the sax. + lost one.
11. vol 1
12. vol 3
Watch the throne was amazing but kanye seemed lazy..lyrically with the exeption of otis

Peace G. I’m Ivan. You’ve been attracting me, I’ve been attracting you. I’m in the soul group (brotherhood), and a grandson of Malik Shabazz (X). But not through Betty. I have a psychic oracle too, she first told me about you when I was 18, and that we’d be coming together. We are going to be meeting soon. I think you know what this is about. By the way I am going to be 22 on Jan 11.
peace and light.

contact me @ ivannathaniel@icloud.com

Peace G. I’m Ivan. You’ve been attracting me, I’ve been attracting you. I’m in the soul group (brotherhood), and a grandson of Malik Shabazz (X). But not through Betty. I have a psychic oracle too, she first told me about you when I was 18, and that we’d be coming together. We are going to be meeting soon. I think you know what this is about. By the way I am going to be 22 on Jan 11.
peace and light.

contact me @ ivannathaniel@icloud.com

Interesting, all those songs are why i for one love listening to Blueprint 2, i’d definitely put it higher, kingdom come too
Do you wanna ride >
lost ones >
30 something >
trouble >
beach chair >
a lot of gems on that album, all in all a pretty solid ranking

Dude no

Vol 1 is way too low. It should be number 2

Exactly, a lot of great records on that album

Still Droppin Platinum Albums…Every Year…and counting…when did jay z retire…?

American Gangsta, like Tupac’s Makaveli, was showed an amazing artist also being dangerously real and insightful in relations to the plight of black men. Both those albums to me, you could just tell that they were in a space of complete clarity. I think AG need to be number 3!

Oh…..And it was put out during the Don Imus and Oprah fuckery, when muthafuckas scapegoating black men and Hip Hop was at a fever pitch! It’s Ill when artist’s get challenged, like when T.I. was about to fall and came out with Paper Trail, but they rise to the occasion. Still waiting on Kanye to do that after his mother’s passing (with all due respect).

Most definitely Reasonable Doubt (D’Evils, nuff said)

Agreed!

Like your reasoning and placement for the most part….If BP2 was more cohesive I think that a stronger argument could be made for it. People do forget about Hovi Baby, It was all a dream, Guns and Roses, As One, Etc.

…..Cool to see this expressed! I think a lot of people forget the effect that Hip Hop has and can have, especially in respects to those of us that grew up poor/in the projects! ….Building perspective from artists like Jay, Common, Nas, Lauren, etc, took me from having diminished spirit (Mom was a prostitute, most of my family abused or on drugs) to reaching heights of home higher education, home ownership, being a Director of a non for Profit, and having a Family (Wife and 2 Boys) that won’t mirror the shit I saw. These artists didn’t do all of that, but their reflections had a lot to do with it!

…Hope Harry Belafonte sees this!

…Hope Harry Belafonte sees this!

…Hope Harry Belafonte sees this!

I agree with this list. He’s in a league of his own and the only competition is his last album. American Gangster should be in the museum national archives. The Blueprint is the classic’s classic. Reasonable Doubt is still relevant today. If the Black Album was indeed his last, it would’ve been one of the greatest albums ever made. Peace and love, y’all!

POLITICS AS USUAL ….drops the mic and walks away

In my opinion Vok 3 and BP2 is rated low. Especially Vol.3.

In my opinion Vok 3 and BP2 is rated low. Especially Vol.3.

I’d put Dynasty above Vol. 1… like you said Sunshine kills the album. And Dynasty for Just Wanna Love You, Squeeze 1st, and Where Have You Been.

I know this

how can any yall question jay’s opinion on HIS own albums… damn everyone a critic

definitely agree. the first three are undeniable although I’d put The Blueprint over Reasonable Doubt after many years with the order reversed. Black Album has always been 3rd.

Over Illmatic?

I agree with 1-3. I think Vol. 1 should be #4 and Vol. 2 = #5.

i agree but sunshine is not jay-z favorite song but its mine lol…i think vol 3 should have being higher but apart from that he’s right…www.bigteespot.spreadshirt.com

I have no issue with the top 3. I do think that Vol. 2 is way too high tho. American Gangster is a much better album. If you scrap the horrendous Hello Brooklyn 2.0 and Ignorant Shit (not a bad song, but it doesn’t fit the overall narrative) and then end it all with Fallin’, you have a classic right there. I also thought Vol.3 and Dynasty were way better than BP3.

My list would look something like this…

1. Reasonable Doubt (Classic. Top 5 rap album of all-time. Without a doubt his greatest work)
2. Blueprint (Classic. Top 15 rap album of all-time. Sonically redefined the next decade in rap music)
3. Black Album (If it isn’t a classic, its VERY close. Perfect way to close out a career)
4. American Gangster (His most underrated album IMO. It’s his last truly great album)
5. Vol. 1 (City is Mine was ass and Sunshine was worse, but some of his best music ever is on here)
6. Vol. 3 (Underrated. I really enjoyed this album)
7. Vol. 2 (Pretty good album, just not nearly as good as Jay-Z thinks it is lol)
8. Dynasty (I understand the purpose of the album, but I would have liked to hear more Jay-Z on it)
9. Magna Carta (The album had some decent moments, but I wasn’t feeling it too much)
10. Blueprint 2 (Some very good tracks on this album, but it was very bloated and had too much filler)
11. Blueprint 3 (Sounded like something that was put together in a weekend or two. Lazy.)
12. Kingdom Come (Its few good songs were very good, but the bad ones were just embarrassing)

I have no issue with the Top 3. I do think that Vol. 2 is way too high
though. American Gangster is a much better album. If you scrap the
horrendous Hello Brooklyn 2.0 and Ignorant Shit (not a bad song, but it
doesn’t fit well into the overall narrative) and then end it all with Fallin’, you
have a classic right there. I also thought Vol. 3 and Dynasty were way
better than BP3.

My list would look something like this…

1. Reasonable Doubt (Classic. Top 5 rap album of all-time. Without a doubt his greatest work)
2. Blueprint (Classic. Top 15 rap album of all-time. Sonically redefined the next decade in rap)
3. Black Album (If it isn’t a classic, its VERY close. Perfect way to end a career)
4. American Gangster (His most underrated album IMO. It’s his last truly great album)
5. Vol. 1 (City is Mine & Sunshine were wack, but some of his best songs are on here)
6. Vol. 3 (Underrated. I really enjoyed this album)
7. Vol. 2 (Pretty good album, just not nearly as good as Jay-Z thinks it is lol)
8. Dynasty (I understand the album’s purpose, but I would’ve liked to hear more of Jay-Z)
9. Magna Carta (It had some decent moments, but it left a lot to be desired)
10. Blueprint 2 (Has some very good tracks, but it was very bloated and had too much filler)
11. Blueprint 3 (Sounded like it was put together in a weekend or two…lazy)
12. Kingdom Come (Its few good songs were pretty good, the bad ones were cringe-worthy)

I couldn’t agree more. You are spot on with your critique.

Truth too much of the other guys not enough Jay-Z

Jay you are kicking yourself too hard for Sunshine. In My Lifetime Vol. 1 was a great body of work. Lyrically it’s one of the best. It was better than Vol. 2. Where I’m From, Imaginary Player, and You Must Love Me can trump most songs that are classics.

Can’t believe he put Dynasty at #9. Should be 5 or 6 in my opinion. BP3 sucks. Young Forever, Empire & Run This Town are one of the worst hip-hop songs ever.

I feel you!!! Yea Black Album #nuts and American Gangster… just listen to the things he says! Speaks volumes.

Kingdom Come last? The Prelude alone means its gotta jump higher. Tough ass Intro. Vol. 3 was one of my favorite albums. Played it every night when it dropped. Big Pimpin, NYMP, Some Like it Hot, So Ghetto, Theres Been A Murder. Gotta boost that ahead of Dynasty. Dynasty was Classic because of the times it was made in with the Roc Team. Can’t argue the first 3. Either way you a genius big bro and you gon know me soon!

I will agree to disagree. Vol. 2 has some classic club records and some street classics. Nigga what Nigga Who, Hard Knock Life, A Week Ago, Its Like That…so on. American Gangster is cool but it was also one dimensional based off the fact that it was a conceptual album. Still great shit tho.

Well not everyone’s a fan of Nas. I never have been. Always preferred Takeover anyway.

Here it go…

1. Reasonable Doubt
2. The Blueprint
3. Black Album
4. Life and Times Vol. 1
5. American Gangster
6. Magna Carta Holy Grail
7. Blueprint 2
8. Life and Times Vol. 2
9. The Dynasty
10. Blueprint 3
11. Life and Times Vol. 3
12. Kingdom Come

Its crazy how each one of these albulms represent a period of my life. I can remeber pretty much one all of these dropped. Dope catalouge.

vol.1 is my #1!!!

My list would look something like this…

1. Reasonable Doubt (Classic.Timeless album. RD is #1 no question)
2. The Blueprint (Classic!! Renegade, Heart of The City, Girls, Song Cry,Never Change, Hovito.)
3. Black Album (Classic)
4. Life and Times Vol. 1 (Classic.Tracks like You Must Love Me, Where I’m From, Intro, and a few others makes this album stand out above the rest.)
5. American Gangster ( One of the best lyrically. The beats on this one are crazy. The retro vibe with the Marvin Gay and old soul samples…Amazing concept album)
6. Magna Carta Holy Grail (Incedible album. Oceans, Tom Ford, Picasso, SIAmerica, FUTW. I fuck with this shit.)
7. Blueprint 2 (Jay’s most underatted. The tracks should have been cut back but I think Jay was at the pinacle of his lyrical ability. “I get stoned everday like jeseus did”)
8. Life and Times Vol. 2 (Should have been higher due to the impact when it dropped. But the music really didnt stand the test of time.)
9. The Dynasty (I love this album and wish it couldve be ranked higher but theres too many hot pieces of work on here.)
10. Blueprint 3 (Dope album)
11. Life and Times Vol. 3 (This album had a few dope moments… the Primo track is a classic.)
12. Kingdom Come (Prelude, Lost One, Oh My God…Overall not his best piece of work)

Its crazy how each one of these albulms represent a period of my life. I can remeber pretty much one all of these dropped. Dope catalouge.

First 5 are fine.. although I would move American Gangster up a notch or two.. Magna Carta is waaaaaaay to high.. that should be 12.. Kingdom Come isn’t as bad a people say it is…

Thank You

I wudda put vol. 3 last and the dynasty wudda been higher, I think he didn’t put it higher because that was more of a compilation album he did with everybody on Rocafella at the time but everything else I pretty much agree with…. just wish I still had my blue blueprint cd and black black ablum cds smfh

agree vol 2. should be way down on the list.

Dynasty only has 3 good tracks

Agreed. BP3 is also nicer than Vol. 1… To be honest, VOl. 1 beats are wack on some tracks and I’d have it at 10

That Kingdom Come comment, I couldn’t agree with you more. Man I just listened to that joint all the way through, last week. I think that it ends up on the bottom because most people don’t know what to do with it, even Jay.. To me, KC has more of a deeper meaning. It was foretaling his future & where he was headed in life, meaning the kingdom is about to come to this. We all knew what we were used to Jay doing, then he said, ok, here is where I’m headed now.. Nickels & Dimes fits perfectly on KC. Oceans fits perfectly on KC. AG was for the non-believers because they were saying Jay fell off. I say, just let it exist on its own, because where ever you place it, it will probably be wrong. SMOKE

nah! Vol 2. wasn’t all that. A couple good songs, a bunch of filler, and a lot of guest appearances.

Rd, vol 1, black, mc all classics, when hip hop enters the history books you will be considered the greatest, your consistency is unmatched

Am I the only one that thinks “Kingdom Come” is ranked way too low? I saw him perform this album when it first dropped and I’m always disappointed he doesn’t perform any tracks during his current shows. Title track alone is enough to bump in the car and Dig a Hole wins just for this line alone, “keep my enemies close, I give ‘em enough rope, they put themselves in the air, I just kick away the chair.” Boom!

Am I the only one that thinks “Kingdom Come” is ranked way too low? I saw him perform this album when it first dropped and I’m always disappointed he doesn’t perform any tracks during his current shows. Title track alone is enough to bump in the car and Dig a Hole wins just for this line alone, “keep my enemies close, I give ‘em enough rope, they put themselves in the air, I just kick away the chair.” Boom!

Am I the only one that thinks “Kingdom Come” is ranked way too low? I saw him perform this album when it first dropped and I’m always disappointed he doesn’t perform any tracks during his current shows. Title track alone is enough to bump in the car and Dig a Hole wins just for this line alone, “keep my enemies close, I give ‘em enough rope, they put themselves in the air, I just kick away the chair.” Boom!

Am I the only one that thinks “Kingdom Come” is ranked way too low? I saw him perform this album when it first dropped and I’m always disappointed he doesn’t perform any tracks during his current shows. Title track alone is enough to bump in the car and Dig a Hole wins just for this line alone, “keep my enemies close, I give ‘em enough rope, they put themselves in the air, I just kick away the chair.” Boom!

I mostly agree with this list. Although, I would flip Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint. Reasonable Doubt is the most important album to Jay, so I would see why it’s his top. But it didn’t separate him from Nas, Pac, or Biggie. It just put him in that conversation. Each of their debut albums were classics.

The Blueprint, however, separated him from his peers (past and present) and is the most important hip-hop album from 2000 to 2010, both with Kanye’s production that set the stage for what the decade was going to sound like, and the emotional expression of a gangster in songs like “Song Cry,” “Never Change,” and “Heart of the City.” Those tracks paved the way, along with Em, for rappers to explore internal boundaries, of which now there are many. (See: Drake, Kendrick, Cole)

I also think The Blueprint 3 should be higher, and the Dynasty, lower. Even though, Vol. 2 is a classic because of the singles off of it, BP3 should be right above it.

BP3 might not be a classic, in the classic sense. Lyrically it isn’t where Vol. 2, The Black Album, or BP is at, but it has just as many singles as any of them. The back of the beat flow pattern on the intro is bananas, and I feel like it didn’t get the acclaim it deserved because Jay wasn’t releasing content at the same rate he was with his classics and it started to become cool to hate on Jay, just to be counterculture. But BP3 gave birth to Kanye’s current sound that found a home on his later projects, including WTT, Magna Carta, and Kanye’s DTF (which may be the album of this decade).

Without the production and type of songs on BP3, you probably don’t get Drake or A$AP’s current sound, either.

Just my two cents.

idk why people love Reasonable Doubt so much, garbage to me. I base it on the albums and the artists that were out at the time, and Jayz was no where to be found. Biggie, Tupac and Nas were running things, Reasonable Doubt was a coaster in my house, kept my coffee table clean. my list is as follows 1)Black Album 2)Magna Carta (this will eventually be his best ever, it is growing in genius as it ages 3) BP (Em murdered him on Renegade) Honarable Mention) Reasonable Doubt, its okay///the rest are garbage, lets be honest.

I kind of feel you, but Vol. 2 has a lot of classic songs besides Hard Knock Life.

you make good points throughout///good argument

No. Its not only there for “Hard Knock Life”. You’re out of your mind and obviously you’re either too young or not from NY. Vol 2 had “Money, Cash, Hoes” which was the hottest track of ’98 during a slew of insane amount of work put out that year by people like Lauryn Hill, DMX, Big Pun, Noreaga, etc. Remember, back in ’98, we got our music strictly from the radio and the radio is where it came from first. That song was an enormous banger that year that overshadowed a lot of great work.

“N***a What, N***a Who” was another track that was bumped constantly.
“Can I get A…” Really? You gonna forget about that track?

Vol 2 with songs like this made Jay a star because with all the good work put out that year, Jay stood on top of everyone with Vol 2. Then everyone took notice and was like “damn, all this stuff is out and Jay is the best? He’s King of NY now.” And that’s where his reign started.

Even though Kingdom Come is at the bottom of the list (seems like everbodies list)…. This was my joint rite here. Seem like Jay was just siting cross a table talking to us on this one. I appreciated the open mindedness he gave on his life and thoughts of the world at the time.

The couple good songs that weren’t just good, they were straight bangers that people still listen to now. Money, Cash, Hoes along with Can I Get A.. and Jigga What, Jigga Who had the radio on smash that year while there was tons of good work coming out from Lauryn Hill, DMX, Noreaga, Big Pun, etc.

Those songs and the album made Jay stand above everyone else that year and solidified his spot as the new King of NY.

The album I listen to most of Jay-Z’s is his Unplugged album. Love that record. As he said on there, “It’s the truest essence of hip-hop” and The Roots have never been better to back him up.

Vol 2 wasn’t even on the top 5 best of 98.

Illmatic is the ish!!!!

I just explained that the popularity of the songs are probably why he put it there, if you actually read what I was saying. It was good for it’s time but not many people would ever wanna try playing 80% of that album now, while people could bump the first 3 like it came out yesterday. They had bangers, and bangers are only riding a trend or sound that is popular for the time. 98 was a GREAT year for hip hop, but this never mentioned as one of the best of that year other than how much it sold. And all the arguments you have for it were FOR THE TIME THEY CAME OUT, not how they hold up today.

I like the Magna Carta the best Jay.

By far Reasonable Doubt should be #1. First album getting into the game and showing the hunger. We know Jay could rap but he should he could carry an album and collab with the Biggie. Hard Knock Life and especially American Gangster reached back to those lyrical days. Magna Carta shows the overrall growth and reach of Jay to really incorporate different producers for various sounds. I only wish it could have been a double disc with various collabs with other artists (Outkast, Nas, Kendrick, Tip, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Bun B, Kanye, groups like LInkin Park, Metallica, etc.) Doing that I think it could show how he could rock with anybody. Sort of like Biggie doing the song with Bone Thugs. I still lose my mind when Biggie says…armed and dangerous…….in the Bone Thugz style of rap.

YOU may think they don’t hold up today. That’s why I said you’re probably young or not from NY. People still play these tracks today so I’m not sure what kind of lasting power you’re trying to speak on.

But in the end, it doesn’t matter, because Hov is the one who lived it and made the music. If he says its #3, I think he’s the better judge than either of us. And I’m siding with him on this one. Especially because I’ve lived in NY my whole life and when this album dropped, it took the hip-hop world by storm and this album stood above every other album that came out that year. And there were a ton that dropped. Hov will tell you the same thing.

Because he put it out there for us to debate it

Yeah Jay, I remember reading an interview how you said that ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Girls Like’ were two major missteps that kept Vol. 1 from being a followup classic to ‘RD’. You just got a bit too jiggy wit it, haha! My own list has one exception – Vol. 2 at #3….holds more meaning to me than Black Album – but the rest is how I rank your catalog! And, personally I have to say that Beans verse on ‘DO it Again (Throw Your Hands Up)’ is one of my fave 16bars in ALL of rap music! That alone made Vol 3 worth the $$! BP3 went heads up with Chef’s ‘purple tape’ and Rae outshines on that! Also for BP3, I just love how Swizz freaked ‘Dance’ into ‘OntothaNextone!’ GENIUS!

Aquemini released the same day. Nuff said.

Are you shitting me?

Are you shitting me?

Word, I don’t consider it a Jay album, but if he’s counting it as one, I have it higher. Beans was goin hard, so was Bleek & Jay was gully as fuck throughout.

Word, I don’t consider it a Jay album, but if he’s counting it as one, I have it higher. Beans was goin hard, so was Bleek & Jay was gully as fuck throughout.

That’s funny man I wouldn’t rate American Gangster as high. Maybe I need to listen to it more. You know how Jay can be an acquired taste…

You know you hip hop brah

It’s a master piece for sure!

Sorry Ether is 2nd best dis track only after Hit ‘em Up

Too bad this is only his solo albums. I would put watch the thrown at 6 and Best of Both Worlds… maybe right above kingdom come

These niggas don’t really know hip hop not music as ya can’t be a die heart jay fan cause volume 2 is bananas u can play that joint all way thru

why not streets is watching?? lol!! i’m just sayin!!

I will definitely DISAGREE with you on that one !! Then again, I only listen to 3 tracks on the Black Album… I’m the cat that hates to hear my music edited (read as on a radio station).

what about best of both worlds?????

i would switch american gangstar to go underneath Magna Carta, AG was kinda a weak album

Vol 1. and The Dynasty are too low. Come on Hov

Funny thing is everybody is rating the albums and critiquing, but lets be honest what other artist can you say even have 12 albums worth of music that you can even do this with. And regardless of the matter any one of us can look at this list and pick out at least 1 song from each album that we liked. I dont necessarily agree with the list but it’s his list not mines. Thanks for sharing Jay. Keep giving us something to talk about.

Funny thing is everybody is rating the albums and critiquing, but lets be honest what other artist can you say even have 12 albums worth of music that you can even do this with. And regardless of the matter any one of us can look at this list and pick out at least 1 song from each album that we liked. I dont necessarily agree with the list but it’s his list not mines. Thanks for sharing Jay. Keep giving us something to talk about.

I hear what you’re saying, but really what artist cd can you really listen to all the way through. I think Reasonable Doubt for me is #1. D’evils and Regrets stamps it for me. I also agree with you saying American Gangster is better than Vol 2. A lot of people forget about that cd but to me it was a modernized take on Reasonable Doubts although it was a conceptual album. The cool thing overall is that Jay got so much music, so many hits that we can even have these debates.

Dope album

It’s like that & A week ago are my favorite 2 songs on that album. The overall body of work was well put together.

I agree with both. Jay did kill it on Vol 2 but do a lot of those songs stand the test of time is debatable. But think of it this way, could you really have a song like A Week Ago on his Black Album or even more recent Magna Carta. The thing with Jay is singles with most are going to stand true but he package his songs in a way that it fits for that time. He’s always evolving. Far as full bodies of work each other cds are classic of their time if they wasnt he wouldnt have 12 cds to rank. I can put any of these cds on and ride to it or skip to my favorite tracks, but its Jay he’s really the only rapper that has gave us 12 great to mediocre cds based on opinion to even debate about. That’s a feat in its own right.
Your best shit aint better than my worst shit.
It’s going take awhile for anybody to catch up to him.

Far as the public I think American Gangster gets the least respect. That album was a great album. Only song i skip on that cd is Hello Brooklyn, and I til this day believe that was a give the people what they want track and it failed.

I think this was just suppose to be about solo albums.

Your best shit aint better than my worst shit–Enough said.

That’s all that really needs to be said. He’s the most consistent. No other rapper let alone artist period can say they have 12 solo cds that are debatable.

I like that you quoted the “I get stoned…” line. My favorite line off that album which I feel sums up a lot of career is off Some people Hate–All rough and rugged/addressing the mass public/ my attitude is fuck it/cause mufuckas love it. That tells you right there he not changing for nothing and without that mindset there could never be #newrules.

I agree Ether was hard, and even though it was on the level Ether was to me Jay got his revenge just enough on The title track Blueprint 2. Is it oochie wallie wallie or is it 1 mic/is it black girl lost or shorty owe you some ice/i been real all my life they confuse it with conceit/i will not loose they try to help him cheat. Under rated track. One of my favorite Jay songs.

I don’t get the connection from Beach Chairs to The Alchemist.

American Gangster is a CLASSIC

This is my list based on everything in comparison to Reasonable Doubt
1. Reasonable Doubt
2. Vol 2
3. Vol 1
4. Black
5. Dynasty ( I lived in Tompkins when this came out.. crazyy)
6. Blueprint ( I don’t care)
END OF LIST, nothing else matters.

its him and I, Aquemini

Can we all agree that Timbaland is the best hip hop and rnb “beatmaker” ever? He came to Jay with an idea for an album and Magna Carta is so damn good. And I do not really like Jay all that much to be honest. I come from the Tribe and Wu eras. Jay passed his potential with his business mind. That being said I listen to his raps now to hear what it would be like if a crack dealer became a half billionaire. Its very interesting to say the least. Kanye is the best artist of my generation. Hands down

American Gangster should be moved to just under Blueprint 3

Volume 1… Imaginary players, streets is watching, Who you Wit II, Real Niggaz, City is Mine

He won a Grammy for it though.

The thing is, if they are that great, they will appeal to ANYONE of any region, not not just people that live in New York. That is where he’s from and he does it for his home city, but The Black Album, Blueprint, Reasonable Doubt and American Gangster hold up now because they appeal to EVERYONE. Good Kid, Maad City has such a relatable story to people that have never even lived in Compton. That’s what a true classic does.

And Ludacris won on in 2006 for Release Therapy, and Puff won the Grammy over Biggie’s “Life After Death” and “Wu-Tang Forever” in 1997. Grammy’s basically boost albums sales, and nothing more.

I feel that Kingdom Come was a very underrated album. By listening to his lyrics I’ve been able to follow Jay on his journey for years. Kingdom Come was an album of his maturity and progression. It was grown up Hip Hop! Its not hard to see why the response for his next album American Gangster was so much more positive then its predecessor . Misery loves company and when we cant relate we hate.

True man. Still.. winning a Grammy kinda takes some of the air out of a “Not in the top 5 of ’98″ argument. Vol. 2 had a pretty big impact for me when it came out anyway (in 8th grade.. lol), so I’d beg to differ. Anyway some years it’s No Way Out or Release Therapy, some years its a Kanye album. Like you said it doesn’t really mean anything.

That was well said. I agree. The interesting thing with Jay is he will count his loses. He made Kingdom Come and with one song he summed up his thought process with the album on American Gangster with Ignorant Shit. I think for him to acknowledge that people was not in tune with that album and practically make a mockery of the state of hip hop within that song was classic Jay. He put a spin on being an influence and putting a mirror up to the public and saying (just as the title states) you like this Ignorant Shit thats being put out. On Kingdom Come he took ownership of how influential he was but I just think it was too much of him trying to blantantly shape and shift the culture of hip hop. He obviously loves rap music and at that time hip hop was hurting and he tried to bring it back by almost making a new regime, but it was unfortunately a situation of show me dont tell me. But the also at the time people was stuck on Dipset so go figure.
All that said, I agree Kingdom Come was underrated. Any album, any verse or any word that come from Jay is gonna be held at high regard so instead of trying to satisfy billions satisfy yourself and let the people decide at the end of the day i’m sure he was still satisfied with his body of work just for the fact it was 100% where he was at in his life at the time.

I couldn’t agree more. It was an album that made sense though right. Jay’s one of the best when it come’s to authentic lyricism it just sucks that he thinks he had to digress and “nigga” his lyrical substance after Kingdom Come. Shout out to Huey(Boondocks)!Im still an avid fan just disappointed in him for basically stunting the growth of his lyrical content

At the time it was like the inmates was running the jail type situation. And in rap it was like a fad to dislike Jay Z. He “retired” all the rappers was like awe man why you retiring then he comes back and the snakes started to show. I think he addressed a lot on American Gangster as to why he took that approach. “Cant lie they had Muhammad Hovi on the ropes”–American Gangster. Regardless if the album was good to everybody or not he still proved his prescene alone is good for rap music, so in a way that Kingdom Come campaign as a whole was still a success.

The impressive part of this whole topic is that we are comparing all of his solo albums to one another. What other artist can we say the same about.
“Your best shit aint better than my worst shit”

Man I just listen to the Kingdom Come all the way through. Good fucking album only two songs suck to me “Anything” and “Hollywood” other than that all the way through good listen……………. 7 years later

Yea I can agree with that

That’s just it though. It’s not a classic album but its a good album. RD, BP, and Black are all rated at the top of practically everybodones list so those are classics going by what your saying, but 12 solo albums 3 classics is not bad. Some artist dont even have 3 legit solo cds. Crazy thing about Itunes switched up the game selling singles because nobody really make great albums anymore. Sure there are exceptions but to end the rant. Vol 2 was good and it honestly didnt need to be a classic.

There are no wack tracks on volume 1. Some are acquired tastes but I would only go as far to say “I know what girls like” can even be discussed as a “wack” track (for Jay-Z). I would love to ask Jay-Z if he notices the lyrical influences volume 1 had on his flow and delivery moving forward. He may rethink his stance on volume 1. Also the vol. 1 intro, dynasty intro, vol. 3 intro and kingdom come intro are the best 4 intro’s by any single rapper on any group of albums.

Dont matter where jay puts em to me,,ive never replayed any cd as much as ive played Jays.. They get better and better the more u listen.
Gun to my head i pick the black album but i love them all,, especially the newer stuff, hate motherfuckers who cant let a rapper grow up.

Where does Watch The Throne rank

word? i think hkl, money cash hoes, can i get a, money ain’t a thang, nigga what nigga who and a week ago are all dope. maybe some filler after that, but that’s a lot of hot shit for one record.

They all good i know all of them fan from day 1

Crown should have been added to the Magna Carta list… That had one of the best production of the year !!!!

Who gives a F about a grammy

Money Cash Hoes > Aquemini, and Elvis didn’t mention the best song on the album Reservoir Dogs.
Trey I was just bumpin Paper Chase on the A train yesterday playboy lol…Man 98 fresh out of Boys and Girls High, nobody and I mean nobody was listening to Aquemini. You were wet behind the ears in ’98 and that’s no disrespect, it is what it is.

I’d take vol 3 over the Dynasty (which is more of a compilation album to me) any day.

i agree 100%

no one can dispute the top 3 but i feel Vol. 3 should have been higher

I liked Kingdom come. It was Grown up. As we grow and mature it is good to see a grown up view. It was great for one album, real mature. Hate the fact everyone hates on it. the lead single was off, but the rest of the album was dope. Beach chair is one of my favorite songs.

You buggin Jay. The assessment was great by all means, but you not respecting Kingdom Come. For you to even look at it the way America did is a problem. That may be your best album because it was ahead of its time and the double entendres there was MEAN. That was the transition album from Streets to Corporate, from Hood to Throne. Don’t let the reviews and feedback of the masses affect your perspective because you didnt think it was bad when you were in the booth.

This is the first time I heard someone critique this album in exactly the way I believe it should be critiqued. I definitely think that this album was an Obama-moment for him, basically saying “I’m on the rise” in a way that not many could really relate to. The opening, beats, and confidence he exuded, with perfect rhymes that seemed to be delivered effortlessly was crazy. This album should stand alone.

as i have gone back through my Jay-Z collection…((all Jay-Z albums)) my fav has to be the Black Album a going away gift to his fans. #LoveIt

hi

Kingdom Come is no way no 12. BP2 should flip flop to No 12.

i dont care what the critics said, kingdom come was best one, definitely shouldnt be below Blueprint 2 lol sorry.

It’s good to see people rally around Kingdom Come. It kills me that critics (and even Jay himself) throw that album under the bus.

Damn. Where the hell’s the love for Kingdom Come? I don’t care what anyone says, & that includes you Mr. S. Carter, that album was amazing. It was mature first of all, but also, it marked the time when Jay’s hunger for success really began to be satisfied.

magna carta is the best album ive ever heard from any artist..biggie smalls next up..

Hahahhahaha righto.

BP3 should be no. 4 . First 8 songs are all classics

I still bump vol.2 to this day, imo it indeed was one of his dopest albums, but that nigga dont seem to know wat he talkin about, that shit was straight fire

i would put AG right below RD and BP1 . to me it was his last fully lyrical album. The beats gave a 70′s retro vibe that just roped me in . Songs like No Hook , Ignorant S**t , Party Life, American Dreaming, I know, Sweet, Success, Falling were so dope . It feels like a classic to me. To this very day i find myself playing this album the most. For some reason it has been underrated ever since. I think the is his most slept on album in his catalogue. i know im not the only who feels this way cuz this was his last solo effort to receive critical acclaim

Hova is the best to ever do it.

Hova is the best to ever do it.

Brooklyn fuck that loves v2 I bump that everyday almost I cant listen to nothing thats out now its all garbage jay discography is in rotation and 50 and mobb deep and a lil nas a lot of lox but jay is elastin

Reasonable was classic jay took his whole life to make it but I think if I had to say American gangster was reasonable part two

The idea that any pre-Black Album is below anything post-Black Album, is just simply objectively incorrect. We are talking about two different rappers. It’s a dividing line.

Vol.1 has Rhyme No More, A Million and One, Friend or Foe II, Streets is Watching, Where I’m From, Real Ni**as, shit, even City is Mine and Who U Wit are pretty good singles; the idea the Magna Carta would ever be ranked ahead of it in any way shape or form is just ludicrous, silly enough by itself to throw the validity of this whole list into question.

And You put Dynasty at 9? It’s solidly 4 or 5, I didn’t think it was even a debate about that.

Of course, this is just like, your opinion, man.

American Gangster is way too low. Its the re-invented Reasonable Doubt. Personally, that was Jay at his best. BP3 should be higher, and so should volume 3. Magna Carta is also not a bad album at all compared to the amount of flak it received when it came out. Unfortunate.

Hov, we need another album. You can’t leave, who are you leaving this for? I need my fix man.

Kingdom Come is not his worst album. I hate that he put it last cause I feel like he’s letting outside opinion influence that one too much (same with Vol. 1). He was still razor sharp lyrically, just had poor beats compared to his usual work. KC > BP2, Dynasty (too much of a crew album). BP2 should be ranked as his worst.

MCHG he ranked way too high and it was most likely for marketing. It’s honestly the worst album he’s made lyrically that is salvaged by great beats and hooks. I’d rank it more towards the bottom.

I respectfully disagree, it’s right where it should be. It’s his last dope album he ever made but Vol. 2 (tho crowded with guests) impacts more.

I bet you he placed MCHG right in the middle to simply promote the album. It’s his weakest offering lyrically. Album is saved by beats and hooks. Some bright spots lyrically but not throughout.

I dont think i was clear. American Gangster is THE BEST HOV album. bar none. Lets dispel with the sentiments, and it will be obvious it craps on Reasonable Doubt. And Vol. 2 is not even close. Blueprint 1, BP3 and Black Album are better albums than Vol 2.

AG is not the best HOV album never will be. RD is more consistent and original. BP3 is NOT, I repeat, NOT better than Vol 2. Not when you have a Jay that is no longer in his prime rhyming at a lower level than he was on BP1, TBA and Vol 2.

The labels about ‘no longer in his prime’ is a tag line people always use. Rakim made a better album in 18th Letter than Follow The Leader. LYRICALLY. Again, thats just me. LISTEN to lyrics, and the songs, and judge for yourself. Obviously we are never going to agree, my main aim in these things is to make people see things from a different perspective. BP3 had “venus vs mars”, one of the better conceptual songs of his career, “what we talking about”, “thank you”, “already home” and ‘reminder”. I dont understand how anyone dismisses this album from the catalog with something as basic as Vol 2. I like every HOV album, so my bias is limited. AG is a big brother to RD, its the same drug themed description and story telling about moving like a magnate. Thinking like a boss and making sure your enemies are checked. Whats really the difference in concepts between RD and AG??? AG has better wordplay construction. Thats just IMO. Originality? fine. One came before the other. Something came before everything. AG was so mature, so G, it was clear, HOV has mentally upgraded his outlook. “American Dreamin”!!!

anyway, all Love here my dude. HOV Is the undisputed GOAT for me. ALL TIME. Dead or Alive. So if you listen to HOV? we’re already cool. ha

Nah the “in prime” evidence matters because Jay has suffered a talent drop off post AG. RD is actually the big brother to AG. AG is based on a movie and his life, RD was his life period. AG was an album to save face after the public didnt take to KC that well (an over hated album IMO). AG is a dope album but didn’t impact like RD (Jay himself ranks AG below RD and doesn’t consider it a classic). I wouldnt just use the “out of prime” evidence for nothing, I actually always say AG is the last time Jay rapped at a prime level (I think AG is better than a few pre-retirement albums), but TBA is the last time we got a prime level album top to bottom from Jay IMO. AG was awfully close.

BP3 is solid but this is the first album Jay didn’t rhyme on the level of “Thank You” throughout the whole album. Did lose some of his legendary flow and wit, the beats and crafty song making offset these flaws. Vol 2. (tho I dont feel it’s a classic) is a hungry Jay that came with hits, top notch album cuts and stellar production that flirted with street and pop appeal equally.

I critique Jay hard because he’s in my top 5 forever, but it’s based mainly on his older material (AG is almost 10 years old btw).