The Top Ten Jay-Z Songs

One of the best rappers alive, if not the best, Jay-Z's rap career has been remarkable for its consistency, quality, and impact. Here are the top ten songs by Jay-Z.

Hard Knock Life, Jay-Z's Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life(read review), 1998

It was a strange marriage - Jay-Z's gritty rhymes paired with the theme song from Annie. But somehow it worked - spectacularly well, in fact. The classic orphan tale was a natural fit with his wry and gripping depiction of urban youth mentality. It's one of the biggest songs of his career, perhaps his defining one.

Can I Live, Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt (read review), 1996

Perhaps the definitive song of Jay-Z's debut, paranoia and ambition are wrapped into one tight package here, one of the best depictions of hustling and one of his best songs ever.

Where I'm From, Jay-Z's In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (read review), 1997

Jay-Z perfectly captures inner-city Brooklyn on this ominous track from his sophomore album. The sharpness of the depiction was proof that despite his increasingly commercial leanings, he was still capable of compelling lyricism.

U Don't Know, Jay-Z's The Blueprint(read review), 2001

On an epic Just Blaze production, Jay-Z revisits the paranoia of earlier classics, such as Where I'm From or Streets is Watching. U Don't Know drips with machismo and confidence, and is truly one of the more memorable moments on The Blueprint, and one of the best songs of Jay-Z's career.

99 Problems, Jay-Z's The Black Album (read review), 2003

A testament to the versatility of Jay-Z's flow, his witty rhymes over an infectious rock beat is one of the highlights of his "final" album. The song's second verse is also a testament to the strength of Jay-Z's storytelling skills.

Streets is Watching, Jay-Z's In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997

Line for the line, there are few Jay-Z songs that can match the wordplay of this one. Another lyrical highlight from the overly commercial In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, this features not Jay-Z the hustler, or even the rapper. This is Jay-Z the emcee, reinforcing his reputation as one of the best lyricists in the game.

The Blueprint, Jay-Z's The Blueprint, 2001

The Brooklyn rapper recounts his life to date in a single verse over a somber Just Blaze instrumental. Exercising rare humility and candor, this is probably the most powerful song on his 2001 album.

Encore, Jay-Z's The Black Album, 2003

It's a fitting tribute turned rousing crowd pleaser through Kanye's regal production and Jay-Z's nimble rhymes.

Can't Knock the Hustle, Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt, 1996

The earliest mainstream introduction to the relatively unknown Brooklyn rapper, Jay-Z drops clever verses about success, ambition, and aspiration, enriched by the sumptuous vocals of Mary J. Blige on the chorus.

Dead Presidents I/Dead Presidents II (tie), Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt, 1996

Dead Presidents I and II, containing the infamous sample from Nas' The World is Yours, combined have five classic verses on the perils of hustling, and the hunger for success. Purists might argue that one is better than the other, but why bother? Both are classics.

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