Jay-Z stands among the most acclaimed rappers of all time. Born and raised in New York City, he is one of the world’s best-selling music artists. With 21 Grammy Awards in his kitty already, he has achieved more success than most of his contemporaries. And his music career has been nothing short of extraordinary. We’ve infused this list with some of the finest songs that Jay-Z has given us till date. Let’s get going with it then.
99 Problems
If there’s one song Jay-Z is most recognized for, it’s this one. In 99 Problems, he talks about dealing with rap critics and the problem of racial profiling in America.
Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Produced by Timbaland, Dirt Off Your Shoulder is something of a vintage Jay-Z track. It features bouncy beats that remind you of Jay-Z’s songs from the 1990s.
Ni***as in Paris
This song is a product of a collaboration album between Jay-Z and Kanye West. Ni***as in Paris has won them both two Grammy Awards in the year 2013.
Empire State of Mind
This extraordinary rap ballad will leave you flustered with its brilliance. Jay-Z has teamed up with Alicia Keys in this song, and it remains one of their most famous songs till date.
Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
Ranked number 11 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip-Hop, Hard Knock Life was released way back in 1998. It features a sample from the 1977 musical Annie.
Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
In this one, Jay-Z talks about his life as a drug dealer during his early years, and even narrates his struggles with the exploitative recording industry. Izzo (H.O.V.A.) was also mashed up with Linkin Park’s In the End for their collaborative EP, Collision Course.
Big Pimpin’
Released in 2000, Big Pimpin’ is another Timbaland-produced track that has given Jay-Z immense success. It also features a rap by Southern hip-hop group UGK.
There you go with an amazing playlist of some of Jay-Z’s best songs. Tell us what you think about it.
