Not to mention, he’s got a keen eye for talent.
What Hova song will rise to the top?
Check out our list to find out what made the cut.
3… Life and Times of S. Carter’s tracklist to add this sleeper.
“Holy Grail” (feat.
Justin Timberlake) (2013)
As Jay got bigger, so did the bombast around his records.
4 on the U.S.BillboardHot 100.
“A Week Ago” (feat.
1, with an additional verse.
“Run This Town” (feat.
1 pick a run for its money.
It’s a near-perfect song, just one we wished had more of a life of its own.
“This Can’t Be Life” (feat.
Though never officially proven, this was the spark that fueled their years-long feud.
“Empire State of Mind” (feat.
Alicia Keyes) (2009)
This is the only soloBillboardNo.
1 of Jay-Z’s career, which remains surprising given his extensive discography, accolades, and influence.
Is it a little cheesy?
Jay delivers solid, if not spectacular lines about his hometown.
But whenAlicia Keyscomes in with “NEW YOOOORRRK!
!,” you might’t help but sing along.
He even throws some darts atMobb Deep’s Prodigy, making fun of his youth ballet career.
“You escaped what I escaped/You’d be in Paris getting f—-d up too.”
“Big Pimpin'” (feat.
UGK) (1999)
At the height of the 1990s territorial rap wars, cross-geographic collaborations were rare.
So when Jay-Z teamed up with Texas-born legends UGK for this song, it felt groundbreaking.
And then, the beat!
