All Jay-Z Songs Ranked (172-101)
Except Dynasty since it's basically a comp |
| 72 |  | Jay-Z
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
172. I Know What Girls Like: This song would be pretty low without Diddy on it anyway but yeesh nope nope nope |
| 71 |  | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
171. Young Forever: I’m not too big on the sampling approach of just taking the chorus of a pre existing song and throwing it in another song, and Hov has done that to varying degrees of success, but on this track it is so cringe that it nearly eviscerates me to dust |
| 70 |  | Jay-Z
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
170. Hand It Down: Memphis Bleek sucks |
| 69 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
169. Venus and Mars: The worst Bey/Hov collaboration for sure, genuinely have no idea how either of them signed off on it. |
| 68 |  | Jay-Z
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
168. Versus: My only hard skip off Magna Carta but this is the one time he references Tribe where I’d rather he didn’t |
| 67 |  | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
167. What They Gonna Do: A rare song where Hov is trying things I don’t terribly fuck with, and Sean Paul is not a great fit for the song either. |
| 66 |  | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
166. 30 Something: I love parts of Kingdom Come and think it’s very underrated in the Jay-Z discography but this is the only song where Hov actually does kinda get to me. |
| 65 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
165. Thank You: No Thank You |
| 64 | | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
164. Dig a Hole: Another Kingdom Come lowlight that Hov himself actually lets down, but he’s far from the worst part since the chorus is so bad lmao. |
| 63 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
163. As One: Why would you get Memphis Bleek on your more climactic R&B hook centric track? Lmao. I don’t really fuck with any of the features on this one unfortunately since there’s some cool stuff happening in the beat. The chorus doesn’t really land for me either. |
| 62 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
162. Hard Knock Life: My hottest Hov take is most definitely that I do not enjoy this song at all and it’s largely because of the sample. Grates very badly on my ears, sorry y’all. |
| 61 | | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
161. Anything: I love Usher but ehhhhhhhhhhhh Usher could have been better utilized for sure. |
| 60 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
160. Guns & Roses: This is not a collaboration I was looking for lmao Lenny Kravitz?? Man swap this with Poppin’ Tags on Blueprint 2.1. The hook is atrocious. |
| 59 |  | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
159. Pop 4 Roc: Two Amil songs back to back is genuinely brutal placement for myself and the hooks and beat on this track do not do it for me either. I struggle with this one. |
| 58 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
158. Fuck All Night: This is very clunky to me, largely because of the beat which is not on the better side of the Neptunes’s contributions with Hov. |
| 57 | | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
157. Trouble: Although I am a fan of Kingdom Come, it swerves around “Anything” and doesn’t really recover until “Minority Report”. The synths on this song are outrageously annoying to me lmao, it almost sounds like a bad Nas beat and it sticks out like a very sore thumb on this album where the bar for production is as high as it is. |
| 56 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
156. Blueprint2: “Takeover” is so good that anything else about Nas just comparatively does not hit. That and the piano line sounds like GarageBand. |
| 55 | | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
155. Hollywood: I love Bey but ehhhhhhh Bey not only could Bey have been better utilized here but Hov could have as well. |
| 54 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
154. 2 Many Hoes: The beat on this song makes me feel drunk and not in a good way lmao. Hov is fine on it though. |
| 53 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
153. So Ambitious: Very different from the usual lower placement of Blueprint 3 songs, since in this case it’s because the production doesn’t gel with me. Not that Hov is really doing anything worth writing home about either, but this is the only song I can think of on this album where the beat specifically is my source of ire. Even Pharrel’s part is subpar. |
| 52 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
152. N***a Please: Not too big on Hov’s vocalizations at the beginning of this one, and it really overstays it’s runtime along with having a bunch of strange as hell production choices in it. |
| 51 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
151. Hate: Ye almost had it, if he let Hov rap all of it and mixed the beat a little better, as well expanded it beyond 2 minutes, this would be a lot higher, but alas. |
| 50 | | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
150. Show Me What You Got: I almost like this song, I would probably like this song if it was an instrumental, but the “SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT” is hella disorienting and the song sounds like it’s going off time with itself. Tanks the song everytime it happens |
| 49 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
149. D.O.A.: This song is also almost good, very infuriatingly so because the beat is absolutely sick as hell but man this song cannot exist on an album with Rihanna and ye lmao there is also autotune on songs on this album so what the hell are you talking about death of autotune shut up old man |
| 48 |  | Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt
148. Ain’t No N***a: This is the cutoff point for when I start liking songs. The beat and the chorus are in different keys and it is my biggest hip-hop pet peeve and drives me insane but that’s really my only problem with it. It would be the worst on Reasonable Doubt anyway though so I guess of any song to have that be the case it works out. Feels more like a vehicle to showcase Foxy Brown than anything else, and usually the Hov songs centered around features fare less well for me because, well, the featured artist isn’t Hov. But she’s certainly better than fuckin Memphis Bleek. Favorite line: The chrome rim keeps them spinnin / So I run way the fuck up and wrinkle they face like linen |
| 47 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
147. Snoopy Track: The beat on this almost sounds like a Nas beat and not in a good way lmao. Favorite line: I hope the heat strokes ya |
| 46 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
146. Reminder: The absolute gall of putting D.O.A. and this on the same album lmao, but I guess I’m on the side of autotune instead of abolishing it. Favorite line: Made the Rolling Stones seem sweet as Kool Aid too. |
| 45 | | Jay-Z
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
145. La Familia: Head of the fa mi LEE |
| 44 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
144. Coming of Age (Da Sequel): The beat on this rocks and Jay kills it but Memphis Bleek still sucks. Favorite line: I don’t know what’s wrong with Bleek (I do lmao) |
| 43 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
143. I Did It My Way: The beat is sort of at odds with itself on this one but it’s worth it for how excited Hov sounds with himself at the beginning. Favorite line: They have people, waitin' at the airport like five days like I'm a Beatle or somethin' that's real talk! |
| 42 | | Jay-Z
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
142. Who You Wit II: Similarly to “Ain’t No”, soundtrack cuts just kinda don’t fit on the main albums. Favorite line: Never eat at Denny’s |
| 41 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
141. A Dream: This song is the perfect opener to Blueprint 2 because it’s overstuffed and cluttered with ideas. Favorite line: Hov, remind yourself: nobody built like you, you designed yourself |
| 40 | | Jay-Z
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
140. Sunshine: One of the most polarizing Hov songs but I like it. I think it’s beat, while a bit clunky, is a cool precursor to the next album’s style a bit. Favorite line: Before the lovebirds can move to the suburbs I need to double check your story |
| 39 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
139. The Watcher 2: This is pretty sick and the old head vibes are nice but it feels pretty out of place coming so early on Blueprint 2. Favorite line: I was nice with my hands, 'cause I'm hype with them hammers / I was pricking my finger 'fore you knew what a fam' was |
| 38 | | Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt
138. Coming of Age: Points lost for Memphis Bleek but this is his least annoying appearance for sure, he clears the bar of being tolerable here. Favorite line: The only way to peep a fool is let him show his hand |
| 37 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
137. Money, Cash, Hoes: The mindlessness of the chorus is automatically redeemed by him talking shit about the critics inevitably complaining about it. Favorite line: I know they gon’ criticize the hook on this song, like I give a fuck |
| 36 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
136. There’s Been a Murder: My pet peeve regarding the song being out of key with itself very strongly applies to this song which is a shame since that beat otherwise goes. Hov rules on it as usual though, he’s pretty consistently great so the placement of a lot of these songs largely relies on the beats. Favorite line: My infatuation with autos led to autos gettin' sprayed |
| 35 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
135. The Bounce: Very early ye beat that is not as strong as ye’s other early beats from around this time, kinda Tetris-y. Favorite line: Everybody loopin' up soul / It's like they tryna make 'The Blueprint 2' before Hov |
| 34 | | Jay-Z
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
134. Rap Game / Crack Game: Think the sequencing hurts this song a bit because it feels a little dumb following “Real N****z” but the beat is killer, praise be the tremolo guitars. Favorite line: Put his ass in the studio, let him cook up a cake |
| 33 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
133. It’s Like That: This song is mostly great except for its hook which is not great, but it’s a nice cool down in the wider context of Hard Knock Life. Favorite line: Fuck hot, my records got the fever |
| 32 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
132. Girl’s Best Friend: I feel like the two hidden tracks thing works better on Blueprint because A) the caliber of material is higher and B) one of them is an alternate version of a song that already makes the album, so it doesn’t feel like the end is being prolonged and delayed as much as this does. It’s pretty great in isolation though. Favorite lyric: Ain't a pendant in the sun who can shine like you, and that platinum in the charm, who can blind like you? / the direct reason why n****s do they crimes they do |
| 31 | | Jay-Z
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
131. Streets Is Watching: This song would certainly be at least a little higher if the album version wasn’t censored but what the hell Hov. Favorite line: I’m trying to transform your boys to men like daycare |
| 30 |  | Jay-Z
The Black Album
130. Justify My Thug: Definitely the weak link of the Black Album but it still earns its place in the big picture of the album enough that I think it’s still kinda underrated. The scratching in the chorus is sick, and it’s a nice lighter track to lead us from the interlude to the amazing closing stretch. Favorite line: I am the Michael Schumacher of the Roc Roster |
| 29 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
129. Empire State of Mind: This is a song that’s good for reasons that I don’t usually listen to Hov and it does feel pretty sanded down towards the middle but it’s accessible mostly in good ways. Favorite line: the side lines is / Lined with casualties who sip the life casually |
| 28 | | Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt
128. 22 Two’s: “D’Evils” wraps up the golden opening stretch of Reasonable Doubt, as this freestyle track is mostly just a fun albeit very 90s flex of Hov’s rhyming abilities. Favorite line: Administer pain, next to minister’s screaming your name |
| 27 | | Jay-Z
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
127. Somewhereinamerica: The beat on this song is fire as hell in a way that sounds absolutely nothing like the rest of Magna Carta Holy Grail which has had me scratching my head since getting into Hov but whatever this song is cool. Favorite line: Twerkmileymileymileytwerk |
| 26 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
126. So Ghetto: A borderline comical return to the streets but he sure is keepin it gangsta gangsta gangsta. Favorite line: The whole verse where he drops off a girl for questioning why he’s wearing a durag |
| 25 | | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
125. Oh My God: The beat on this song both hits me a little weird and also rules, not sure how to explain it. Something about the way it climbs up the scale feels really clunky, like an attempt at bringing “Hovi Baby” into a more orchestral aesthetic and it not properly lining up fully. Favorite lyric: Save me from the Black Parade, release me |
| 24 | | Jay-Z
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
124. Beach Is Better: GIRL WHY YOU NEVER READY FOR AS LONG AS YOU TOOK YOU BETTER LOOK LIKE HALLE BERRY |
| 23 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
123. A Ballad for the Fallen Soldier: After a pretty rough run that sends Blueprint 2 through to the end, we get a pretty solid closer that’s a well needed reminder that Hov can tug on the heartstrings. Favorite lyric: His shirt soaks up your tears as he holds ya |
| 22 | | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
122. I Made It: Some weird lines in this one but it hangs together as pretty endearing and like most of Kingdom Come has an absolutely amazing beat that delivers a flurry of horns and pianos from out of this world. Favorite line: I go to my grave with the memory of the sacrifice you made / You deserve a standing ovation |
| 21 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
121. ‘03 Bonnie and Clyde: None of the Hov/Beyonce collabs are really highlight moments across any of the projects they appear on for me and this is no exception, though it is solid. Favorite line: This necklace the reason all of my dates been blind dates |
| 20 | | Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt
120. Friend or Foe: The beat on this song absolutely rules, but there’s not enough song here for it to crack the higher echelon of Reasonable Doubt material. Favorite line: You draw? Better be Picasso |
| 19 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
119. Some People Hate: Ye’s beat here sweeps “The Bounce” and leans more into his signature bag, which better props up Hov’s signature bag. Favorite lyric: Oh, this must be the way the nigga Pac felt when he made / Me Against the World, All Eyez on Me / Y'all n****s got me feelin' like all eyes on me, me against the world |
| 18 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
118. Big Pimpin’: The pan flutes are much better utilized here than on the Mariah song, and we be bouncin’ and groovin’ and cruisin’ courtesy of some killer bongos. Favorite lyric: Just because you got good head, I'ma break bread So you can be livin' it up? Shit |
| 17 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
117. Diamond Is Forever: Unfriendly for Blueprint custom tracklisting due to the amount of times it says “Blueprint 2” in it which is unfortunate because it absolutely wrecks. R-O-C-YEAH NUMBER ONE CLIQUE HERE. Favorite line: You put on two tube socks, you couldn't walk in my shoes |
| 16 | | Jay-Z
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
116. Imaginary Player: Hov has switched from bragging about the streets to bragging about his success as a rapper while still also bragging about the streets, and it’s fun as hell. Favorite line: You crazy, you fugazi |
| 15 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
115. Do It Again: Points lost for Amil but this brings the street aesthetics in the beat into a much more focused and punchy track. Favorite line: 4:00 A.M. at the Waffle house |
| 14 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
114. Run This Town: I love Rihanna and she stomps her goddamn feature lfg. Favorite line: And our girls are blackbirds ridin' with they Dillingers |
| 13 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
113. Money Ain’t a Thang: The rhythm of the drums rules and makes this song feel a lot more propellant and groovy. Have seen this song be a bit on the divisive side, maybe because it’s a bit lightweight for a closer, but shit slaps idgaf fuck you. Favorite line: Your money’s too young, see me when it gets older, your bank account grow up |
| 12 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
112. It’s Hot (Some Like It Hot): Hov raps about hoes over a beat that perfectly marries trem guitar and bass lickage. Favorite line: Hova’s like Noah, keep two in the trunk |
| 11 | | Jay-Z
Kingdom Come
111. Do You Wanna Ride: Top 10 Hov songs from a piano playing perspective, which is definitely not how anybody is ranking Hov’s music. Favorite line: Kingpen of the ink pen |
| 10 | | Jay-Z
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
110. Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit: Production does heavy lifting here like much of Magna Carta but it absolutely captures that fresh off the plane energy in the cool way not in the tired way. Favorite line: A 100 keys at the piano / Plays across the Verrazano |
| 9 |  | Jay-Z
4:44
109. Moonlight: The worst 4:44 song still hangs together pretty okay, but something’s gotta be the worst and it’s gonna be the song about being stuck in la la land sorry Hov. Favorite line: Y'all n****s still signin' deals? Still? After all they done stole, for real? After what they done to our Lauryn Hill? |
| 8 | | Jay-Z
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
108. BBC: Nas + Hov + JT + Pharrel = surprisingly fire, immensely groovy and fun. Favorite lyric: From the coca leafs to the farmers / To the polo fleece to the bombers |
| 7 | | Jay-Z
The Blueprint 3
107. Real As It Gets: The production on this song is absolutely stunning and Jeezy’s feature rules. I love when Hov utilizes features that can not only hold their own against him but also provide a contrasting flavor to juxtapose against him. Favorite lyric: Hov's the audio equivalent of braille |
| 6 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
106. Ride or Die: The name similarity definitely helps them feel more linked together but this pairs perfectly with “If I Should Die” as a “we’re in business and have momentum” combo. Favorite line: I probably made more off yo album than you |
| 5 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
105. Hova Song: OKAAAAY IM RELOADED. Favorite lyric: If you in your car I don’t care if it’s winter I want you to put all your windows down |
| 4 | | Jay-Z
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
104. Picasso Baby: The production does a lot of heavy lifting on this album but like goddamn throw this album through your speaker system and crank your sub and let it launch you to outer space. This song in particular is a launchpad. Favorite lyric: I'm never satisfied, can't knock my hustle |
| 3 | | Jay-Z
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
103. Medley: The volume series has pretty creative openers once you get past the token “OKAY I'M RELOADED” they all shoehorn in. This is the best of them, and almost teases his habit for hidden tracks on later albums. Favorite line: For the millionth time asking me questions, like Wendy Williams harassing me |
| 2 | | Jay-Z
Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
102. Reservoir Dogs: That wah-wah tho. Favorite line: We don't stop at the tolls, we got E-ZPasses, n***a |
| 1 | | Jay-Z
Magna Carta... Holy Grail
101. Oceans: One of Frank Ocean’s two features in Hov's studio discography, and Frank is absolutely the star of the show on this one, shimmering through the textures perfectly. Favorite lyric: Because this water drown my family, this water mixed my blood / This water tells my story, this water knows it all / Go ahead and spill some champagne in the water / Go ahead and watch the sun blaze on the waves of the ocean |
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