Ranking every song on Jay Z’s solo albums a thread :
Obviously there is gonna be disagreement with this because Hov has such a great discog with few misses throughout but I’ll be exploring all 190 songs off his 13 solo albums with 10 different categories.
190.Jigga That Nigga -
Longtime followers of mine already know I’ve always hated this song, Hov sounded like he wrote his verses in 5 minutes. The beat sounds bare minimum especially from Trackmasters out of all people. And the chorus is annoying asf.
I would’ve enjoyed Blueprint so much more if this wasn’t on here. Overall not enjoyable in the slightest. Irredeemable 1/10
189. Anything
I’m sure everyone agrees that this song is awful. The Usher hook is decent but this is probably the worst Neptunes beat I’ve ever heard and Hov sounds washed asf tryna make a club song at 38. It’s awful that’s it. 2/10
188. I Know What Girls Like -

What is there to say about this song, the beat sounds like it was made for a Sega genesis game, Jay sounds as bored as I was hearing this for the first time. The chorus is annoying and Diddy’s vocals make me wanna stuff myself inside of a freezer.
Lil Kim’s the only good thing about this song but even her verse wasn’t all that. Awful 2/10
187-183 What They Gonna Do 1 and 2, 2 Many Hoes, Fuck All Nite, Off That

The worst fillers on the blueprint sequel albums, bad beats, lyrics and/or hooks weakened all of these songs from being anything more than Awful. 2/10
182. Trouble

The beat is nothing special and Jay sounded like he was taking a nap and wrote down whatever came to his mind. Cookie Jar and all. 3/10 Bad
181. Hollywood
Beyoncé’s vocals are the only good thing about this song, Hov sounds as tired as ever, his flows are generic and the beat sounds like it was made in 3 minutes. Not much left to say. 3/10 bad.
180. Tom Ford

Jay sounded desperate all over this album too go trap and it shows here. This whole song and most of this album is just generic Hov with Trap drums. 3/10 bad.
179. Hate

Boring Jay verses, a stripped down beat and some of the worst verses I’ve ever heard from Kanye West. The song would be bottom 5 if it wasn’t 2 and half minutes. 3/10 Bad.
178. Always Be My Sunshine

This song would be way higher if the beat was better cause the hook and verses are actually up to par with the rest of Vol 1. But P Diddy was on his Sega Genesis shit like he was on I Know What Girls Like so that isn’t the case. 4/10 Below Average.
177-170 On To The Next One, Jigga My Nigga, Venus vs Mars, Reminder, Hovi Baby, Show For You, La Famillia, Crown

All of these either try to hard to be hits or don’t do anything at all to interest me. That’s really it. 4/10 below average
169. Death Of Autotune

The definition of tone deaf boomer bullshit, the beat is actually really good but these lyrics are probably the dumbest I’ve heard from Hov over his 13 albums. 4/10 below average
168. Show Me What You Got

This song is the definition of trying to hard to make a hit. The Just Blaze beat is beautiful but Hov lyrically is generic as hell almost down right cringe worthy especially in the 2nd verse. 4/10 below average.
167. Girls Girls Girls
Another song where the beat is great but Jay doesn’t do much on it. Also The hook is straight up bad, he deserved to get clowned for that alone. Ghost should’ve taken this beat instead. 4/10 below average.
166 and 165. S Carter and Face Off
Both these songs don’t do much for me but aren’t bad either so imma go right down the middle with this. 5/10 average
164,163,162. 162. Things That U Do, Girls Best Friend and Pop 4 Roc

These don’t do much for me but the beats on Things and Girl’s are great and Beanie Sigel shines on P4R
6/10 Above Average
161, 160, 159, 158, 157. Girls 2, Real Niggaz, Do It Again, 30 something, Kingdom Come

All these have either good beats or guest verses but fall short of being remarkable. 6/10 above average
156. Fuckwitmeyouknowigotit

This would be higher but Rick Ross’s verse doesn’t really do much for me and he takes up most of it. 6/10 above average
155. A Dream

This song had the makings of being remarkable with Jay’s flows on this Rock Influenced beat and Faith Evans hook but the choice of putting Biggie on this was confusing to me as it was the first guest verse on the Blueprint 2 album.
What’s more appalling is that they choose to dub his first verse on Juicy which is a great verse no doubt but 2 problems occur. Number 1 90% of rap listeners have listened to that verse hundreds or thousands of times so half the song is essentially filler with that standpoint.
Number 2 the verse is censored because of the World Trade Center line due to 9/11 occurring before BP2 recording sessions which makes the song and the verse worse simultaneously. The song would be better if he was just sampled as a part of the hook. 6/10 above average
154. Hola Hovito

I know people on here love this song but it doesn’t much for me. It’s mostly just ok, I feel Timbaland could’ve done better with the beat and the chorus is mediocre to me. His verses are good but a few changes could’ve made this better. 6/10 above average
153 and 152 and 151. Money Ain’t A Thang, It’s Like That, It’s Alright

All are good cuts off of Vol 2 that have great beats and guests to them but haven’t exactly aged the best. 7/10 Good

Every song from here on out is greatness
150 and 149 Nickels and Dimes and FUTW

Great Samples on one, good hook on the other and energy not seen on some of the lesser Hov songs on the list. 8/10 Great
148. What We Talkin About

A great opener to BP3 with its electronic beat and Hov questioning the realness of his peers

8/10 great
147. Do U Wanna Ride

John Legend’s hook alone makes this better than half the songs on Kingdom Come but Hov’s verses on making out of the hood makes a great product and a highlight on the album. 8/10 great
146. As Real As It Gets

Jeezy and Jay definitely did this track justice, it’s merely about repping your hood but both of them killed it. 8/10 Great
145. SomewhereinAmerica

This Jazz and brag rap crossover serves as one of the most unique songs on Magna Carta. 8/10
144. BBC

A good Nas and Jay collab, isn’t much else to it. 8/10 great
143. As One

Jay, Bleek, Freeway and Beans run through this Posse cut. Not much else to it just another great beans and Memphis collab. 8/10
142,141,140,139,138. Part 2, Oceans, Picasso Baby, Heaven, Jay Z Blue

All are Magna Carta songs with great hooks (Part 2 and Oceans), Beats (Heaven) and subject matter (Jay Z Blue) that have higher potential. 8/10
137. Guns N Roses 🥀

A great Rock Rap crossover and some great lyrics about turning negatives to positives. 8/10 great
136. Bitches and Sisters

Great analysis of what makes women in Jay’s eyes either selfish or selfless. 8/10 great
135. I Made It

A Great Tribute to Jay’s mother who dealt with his childhood hardships. 8/10 great
134 and 133 All Around The World and 03 Bonnie and Clyde

Great Samples, great hooks by Latoiya Williams and Beyoncé. As well as great verses by Jay. 8/10 Great
132. Anything

A good closer to Vol 3 which treads similar light to what Ghetto anthem did a year before. 8/10 Great
131. If I Should Die

A great Vol 2 Track that documents Jay’s accomplishments to that point in time. 8/10 great
130. Excuse Me Miss

A great single, that showcases Pharrell and the Neptunes peak throughout the 2000s. 8/10 Great.
129. Izzo

Kanye’s beat and Jay’s rags to riches verses show how much of a force them 2 would become just off of 1 single.
128. Takeover

Phenomenal KRS sampled beats by Kanye-o himself and a great follow up track to Ruler’s Back. But in my opinion, the jabs towards Prodigy and Nas feel opinionated and almost corny at times really.
Poking fun at Prodigy’s height and calling him fake for dressing up as Michael Jackson when he was 12 years old and saying he switched up when he released Shook Ones part 2 7 years later. I would let that go but some of the Nas disses are questionable as well.
On the last verse of the song he says Nas quality dropped off, which is fair but that’s an opinion in of itself, how his bodyguard outrapped him on Oochie Wally fair but that’s also an opinion. But he takes it further by saying Illmatic was the only good album he had dropped.
Which could’ve been for dramatic purposes but calling It Was Written “meh” is a bit too much. Some great lines throughout like the hot line hot song one and the Carmen line towards the end of the 3rd verse. But the disses somewhat takeaway from this otherwise amazing track. 8/10
127. Paper Chase

A great Foxy and Jay collab that commonly gets overlooked 8/10 Great.
126. Nymp
A great tribute to New York’s Marcy Projects with great percussion mixed with a guitar line mixed with Jay’s grimy lyrics makes this one of the most underrated Jay songs to date. 8/10 great
125. Beach Chair

A relaxing and dreamy Outro with a Chris Martin hook thrown onto cement this as easily one of the best on Kingdom Come. 8/10 great
124. Come And Get Me

Hov at his most tough and untouchable over one of Timbo’s best instrumentals. 8/10 great.
123. The City Is Mine

Hov at his most braggadocious, over a jazzy beat, with a blackstreet hook added on makes this a highlight of the era of Hov in 97. 8/10 great
122. Minority Report

A surprisingly deep tribute to those who suffered because of Hurricane Katrina, Jay and Ne Yo really go in on their guilty feelings on this one. 8/10 great.
121. Sweet

Shows his evolution from KC to AG with Jay reminiscing about the limit of choices he had when he was drug dealing. 8/10 great
120. Reservoir Dogs

Great collab with The Lox and Beanie Sigel. 8/10
119. Oh My God

OMG is right cause Hov spazzes over this Just Blaze beat, bars and wordplay galore. 8/10 great
118. Where I’m From

Jay reps Brooklyn on this track painting pictures of his life in Marcy.
8/10 great
117. Rap Game/Crack Game

Good beat and great Nas and André 3000 samples between the verses.
8/10 great
116. Some People Hate

A Soul sampled track like no other on BP2. 8/10 great
115. Money Cash Hoes

Jay Z and DMX trade verses on here and it’s great for the most part. It’s a little repetitive but great nonetheless. 8/10 great. Now time for the real amazing songs.
114. Hello Brooklyn 2.0

Another American Gangster track but this time hov steps out of his comfort zone and does a collab with Lil Wayne and it still comes off at the top. 9/10 Amazing
113. Moonlight

Jay critiques the rap game on this Lauryn hill sampled getting into masters and ownership which saw Hov at his most inspired. 9/10 Amazing
112. Pray

A great opening to reintroduce Hov’s image post Kingdom Come. 9/10 Amazing
111. The ROC

Jay, Bleek and Beans rep there label on this futuristic sounding song. 9/10 Amazing
110. I Know

Neptunes and Jay lay down an amazing last single for AG, simultaneously speaks on his career and heroin as if the audience is addicted to both. 9/10 amazing
109. I Just Wanna Love U

The pimpish Track that started Neptunes’ run throughout the 2000s and provided The Dynasty with a major single to guarantee Jay his 3rd #1. 9/10 Amazing
108. Marcy Me

Jay reminisces on his days in Marcy even interpolating BIG’s Unbelievable to start it off. 9/10 Amazing
107. American Gangster

A great closing track that details Jay’s triumph of the rap game and references Scarface’s need to conquer the world in Jay’s own eyes. 9/10 Amazing
106. Empire State Of Mind

I know this was everywhere when it came out but it’s way better than you remember, it has the simple concept of being a tribute to New York but it’s easily one of the best on BP3. 9/10 Amazing
105. Holy Grail

Easily the best song on Jay Z’s 12th album detailing blind love with Justin Timberlake’s chorus and blind hate with his 2 verses. 9/10 amazing
104. Fallin

Jay details the benefits and drawbacks to drug dealing in the 80s when crack was at its peak. 9/10 Amazing
103. Bam

The Damian Marley assisted 4:44 single deals with Jay’s ego getting in the way of his vision and his goal to kill it off while making up clever wordplay doing so. 9/10 Great
102. Thank You

This orchestral anthem serves as a braggadocious thank you to his haters for pushing him as hard as they did and a diss towards Cam’ron and Jim Jones over dipset’s declining sales. 9/10 Great
101. Young Forever

A great Outro and relaxing hook by Mr Hudson, one of the best on BP3. 9/10 Amazing.
100. Streets Is Talking

Great Back and forths between Jay and Beans on This. 9/10 Amazing
99. American Dreamin

The sample alone solidifies it spot. But fr, Jay’s writing about his search for the benefits of the American Dream. 9/10 Amazing
98. Roc Boys

A triumphant Anthem for those who succeeded with bad circumstances surrounding them. 9/10 Amazing
97. Diamonds Is Forever

Jay reps Rocafella Records and it’s strong sales at the time. 9/10 song

PS I forgot about The Bounce, probably 130 to 140 range. Kanye killed it.
96. Caught Their Eyes

An improvement on Oceans, Jay reminisces on his grimy crime life and Frank Ocean does great on the hook. Great song. 9/10 Amazing
95. Change The Game

This song perfectly displayed Jay, Memphis and Beans chemistry throughout The Dynasty. 9/10 Amazing
94. Ignorant Shit

The Big Poppa sampled Beans Collab is nothing short of brilliant. 9/10 Amazing
93. So Ambitious

Neptunes once again make the list with Jay expressing how he overcame the odds of those hating him in his personal life. 9/10 Amazing
92. 1-900 Hustler

Jay, Beans, Memphis and Freeway reminisce about their street time. All go off. 9/10 Amazing
91. Already Home

Ye produces an amazing beat, Cudi and Jay express their triumph from 2 different perspectives, 1 being Cudi on the hook as a rookie at the time and Jay being 11 albums deep into the rap game. 9/10 Amazing
90. Change Clothes

Because of the Neptunes track record, you know why this song’s on here. Hov seemingly returning one last time with an anthem. 9/10 Amazing
89. Squeeze First

Phenomenal Biggie Sampled song. Great solo track off Dynasty. 9/10 amazing
88. Holla

Great Memphis Bleek Solo track 9/10 amazing
87. No Hook

Jay speaks about losing his dad and living and dying in the hood. It’s cold for sure 9/10 Amazing
86. Stick 2 The Script

An eerie Jay and Beans about how criminals fall to the bottom of the food chain and how money will be their focus 9/10 amazing
85. Encore

Another Anthem of Hov’s journey to his retirement
Amazing 9/10
84. A Star Is Born

Jay speaks about rappers he seen rise and fall as he rises along and J Cole delivers a verse hoping for the fame he would eventually receive. 9/10 Amazing
83. Guilty Until Proven Innocent

This track explores the legal issues Jay faced in the turn of the century and the whole Guilty til innocent mentality seen for young black men in America. 9/10 Amazing
82. Poppin Tags

Amazing Posse cut, Big Boi, Killer Mike and Twista on this soul beat. 9/10 Amazing
81. Some How Some Way

Jay, Beans and Scarface were an unstoppable trio. And this song showed their chemistry in full force. 9/10 Amazing
80. Hand It Down

Amazing Intro, Premo makes an elite beat and Memphis kills it. Great Track. 9/10 Amazing
79. The Ruler’s Back
Another great intro, that advertises Hov braggadocious nature. 9/10 Amazing
78. Legacy

The closer to 4:44 explores black excellency and the Carter name. Truly a great way to end the album. 9/10 Amazing
77. Get Your Mind Right Mami

A chill Snoop collab about pimpology. Amazing 9/10
76. All I Need

Jay reps ROC on this track, amazing execution 9/10 amazing
75. Ghetto Anthem

The anthem that made Hov name fly off shelves and started his longline of anthem of going from rags to riches. Great Anne Sample too. 9/10 Amazing
74. Party Life

One of the best instrumentals Jay ever rapped over, the sample and guitar strums matched with his brag rap lyrics made this song really pop out on American Gangster. 9/10 Amazing
73. Kill Jay Z

This Intro established Jay’s introspective almost self hatred like lyrics on 4:44 as Hov expresses his regrets over shooting his brother, cheating on his wife and not opening up enough. Great opening that surpassed everything off of his last album. 9/10 Amazing
72. Streets Is Watching

Another Amazing brag rap song on how gangsters acting soft can get them killed. 9/10 Amazing
71. Is That Yo Bitch

One of the best cuts on Vol 3, Jay gives away 3 verses about how married women rush to him for sex and money and Twista finishes the song with one of the best flows ever. Amazing track. 9/10
70. Momma Loves Me

Jay explores his mother’s dedication to raising him despite his father’s absence from his life. One of the more introspective songs on Blueprint and one of the better ones too. 9/10 Amazing
69. Who You Wit

Another braggadocio song about women pursuing Jay while Jay does his thing rapping makes for one of Vol 1’s highlights. 9/10 Amazing
68. Run This Town

THE best song on Blueprint 3 ! The Rihanna hook is perfection and Jay and Kanye’s verses discuss them conquering the world with their music. A hype track for sure. 9/10 Amazing
67. Ain’t No Nigga

Great brag rap Foxy Brown Collab, if the beat was a little better this would be a 10 but nonetheless a great track. 9/10 Amazing
66. Blue Magic

One of the best Neptunes beats paired with Jay’s imagery about his possessions make this nearly perfect. 9/10 Amazing
65. The Prelude

One of the best Jay intros, serves as a Hov’s return to rap, what has changed between 03 to 06, the lack of realness of the game as well as him taking shots at The Game in the first 2 bars. Shame the rest of the album couldn’t live up to this. Except one. 9/10
64. Lyrical Exercise

Damn, now this is a hova song. He talks about running the block and being god to his peers. One of the best on the album. 9/10 Amazing
63. So Ghetto

One of the best Premo beats and a lethal lyrical Jay performance as well
9/10 Amazing
62. Family Feud

These Beyoncé vocals, the No ID beat and Jay’s best lines as well as. 9/10 Amazing
61. Cashmere Thoughts

A great freestyle like track, Jay flowed his ass off on this one. Just wished if it was a little longer. 9/10 amazing
Everything here on out is near perfection
60. A Ballad For The Fallen Soldier

Jay details the life of an Iraqi soldier before war and the constant fear of death that awaits him. One of the few storytelling tracks Jay ever did but Jay nailed it. 10/10
59. I Did It My Way

Jay speaks on his constant paranoia of being a successful artist especially after going number 1 4 times in a row.

10/10
58. Justify My Thug

The DJ Quik assisted song heavily stands out from the rest of the songs on The Black Album, Hov wants honesty over everything else on this joint and that also makes it stand out. 10/10
57. 99 Problems

This Rick Rubin produced single on TBA critiques critics for downplaying Hov’s artistic value and throws more shock value at them in the video when Hov is gunned down in a drive by. Despite the controversy, iconic song. 10/10
56. December 4th

This serves not only as the opening to the album but as an autobiography of Jay’s life and relationship with his mother up to this point. Another near perfect track. 10/10
55. Smile

Hov looks back on bad memories and even references his mother’s changed sexuality to question whether or not he was even wanted at all. Great introspective track. 10/10
54. Nigga What Nigga Who

This track serves as a sequel to Jaz O’s Originators in 1990 and both Jaz and Jay kill their verses on this Timbo beat. Great flows throughout. 10/10
53. Parking Lot Pimpin

Jay, Beans and Bleek deliver great verses about pimpology over this futuristic beat. It’s greatness 10/10
52. You Me Him Her

Jay, Memphis, Beans and Amil group up and make an amazing song in the process. 10/10
51. Can I Live II

This Reasonable Doubt bonus track is like a triumphant Outro to a classic album. Bleek explodes and flows on his verse on trying to get his money in the dope game. Great bonus track. 10/10
50. Can I Get A...

Jay and Amil present there views on how money and love do or don’t mix and Ja Rule establishes himself as the Pimp of the late 90s rap game with his verse. Great song 10/10
49. 22 Twos

Another freestyle like song on Reasonable Doubt, calling out hoes and west coast rappers in the 1st verse. He flows through this violin sample. 10/10
48. Threat

An executioner style song where Jay eliminates his enemies, snatches the body and throws it away. Amazing concept 10/10
47. What More Can I Say

One of many goodbyes on Jay’s retirement album, this one is triumphant with Jay proclaiming no one dead or alive has been killing it as good and as long as he has. 10/10 near perfect
46. Blueprint 2

This track is nothing short of destructive not only is Jay defending himself for previous actions on here the track serves as a response to Nas’s ether. And in that department he destroyed Nas, saying Nas was forgotten by the time takeover dropped.
Ridiculing him for chasing after hits and dumbing down his lyrical content from Black Girl Lost to You Owe Me. How he should be lucky to be in Jay’s presence and he even throws shots at nas’s brother Jungle. Great response, Jay could’ve won if this dropped sooner. 10/10
45. Coming Of Age

Jay and Memphis Bleek go back and forth with one being the master the other apprentice in the drug war games they play in Marcy. Amazing song. 10/10
44. Soon You’ll Understand

Jay raps about lost love he has had in this moment in his life, seeing his girl as more of a sister figure in his life than as a romantic one. Great Introspective song from him 10/10
43. Meet The Parents

One of Jay’s best storytelling songs, about a man corrupted by Street life and a woman corrupted by drugs and how the man’s father leaving creates and unending family tradition of absent father which repeats when the man flees from his son. Great story 10/10
41 and 42. U Don’t Know and UDK Remix

Success in the drug rap despite the odds is what these 2 songs circulate about. M.O.P. bring it on the remix and jay throws in business oriented lines. Great songs 10/10
40. Song Cry

Song Cry describes the pain of a long term relationship ending and Jay encapsulates his thoughts perfectly on here. 10/10
39. Friend Or Foe 98

A great sequel to Friend Or Foe, Jay finds the Jamaican mobsters he encountered in the original song in a motel after they tried to extort money out of his turf. He kills the Jamaicans and shouts out Biggie at the end. Another great storytelling track 10/10
38. Brooklyn’s Finest

Speaking of BIG, him and Jay trade verses on this truly displaying why they are BK’s finest. 10/10
37. Bring It On

Sauce Money, Jay and Jaz have a verse each on here. DJ premier produces this cone rap anthem and the fat Joe sample just adds to braggadocio of this song. 10/10
36. Success

Jay throws out quotable after quotable about his Success and how he’s been more bored since he’s been rich. Do I gotta talk about Nas’s verse ? He speaks he is global braggadocio, nothing short of perfect. 10/10
35. Where Have You Been

The closer of The Dynasty, Jay and Beans speak on how their fathers not being in their lives hardened them and made them want to succeed more. Great track 10/10
34. The Watcher 2

A sequel to 2001’s The Watcher by Dr Dre and the best BP2 song. Jay and Dre have great rhyme schemes and verses but Rakim gives you a vision of the seedy life he’s has been living as a veteran in the rap game. One of his best achievements. 10/10
33. Coming Of Age Da Sequel

An improvement on the original, Jay and Bleek have back and forths with Bleek sounding more ambitious and trying take Hov’s kingpin name away from him. Great collab 10/10
32. Big Pimpin

Another great pimpish song from Hov this time featuring verses from Pimp C and Bun B to add a southern flavor not seen by Hov’s other features before. 10/10
31. The Story Of OJ

What do I say about this ? It ties down the fact all black people despite their success are only seen as black and he throws business advice in their as well. 10/10
30. Dirt Off Your Shoulder

Timbaland’s best contribution to the rap game, one of Jay’s best hits as well. There’s isn’t much left to say it’s just perfect. 10/10
29. A Week Ago

Hov critiques people who snitch on this Too $hort assisted track, some of Hov’s best storytelling is present here. 10/10
28. Say Hello

I’ve gushed about this track before and I’ll do it again, the DJ Toomp beat alone makes it the best song on Jay’s 10th album but Jay’s lyrics about being appreciative and being extraordinary in nature just add to the track. 10/10
27. Medley Intro

This fantastic Aaliyah sampled intro has a great first verse but it’s mainly this high because of the beat switch and corresponding second verse that sees Hov flow about his street smarts he’s attained. 10/10
26. Lucky Me

One of Jay’s more personal tracks, Jay is tired of being a popular figure in the music industry and that has made him more bitter. 10/10
25. Public Service Announcement

Just Blaze’s peak production while Jay proclaims himself in the upper echelon of the rap game. Great Track 10/10
24. Lucifer

Kanye and Jay teamup once again in this vengeance and beef anthem. A standout on The Black Album. 10/10
23. Feelin It

Another Brag Rap Mafioso Rap anthem on Jay’s debut, Mecca kills the hook and Jay flows over the DJ Clark Kent beat. 10/10
22. Renegade

Jay Z and Eminem go in on their thoughts of success and their upbringings. Both kill it, amazing collab 10/10
21. Friend Or Foe

Even though it’s barely 90 seconds, Jay displays his best storytelling, flows and lyricism ever seen. Simple as that, 10/10
20. My 1st Song

Made to be his Last song before retirement, my 1st song really ties Jay-Z’s prime in a knot and makes you look back at all he accomplished between Reasonable Doubt to The Black Album. 10/10
19. It’s Hot

The violins on this alone cement this as one of Hov’s best beat choices but Hova’s brag raps, 50 Cent shots, the Hook and how the violins come into the chorus makes me adore this song. 10/10
18. Dope Man

It was close between this and Its Hot but this is the best song on Vol 3. It explores Hov problems with the law and the pacing of it all is amazing. 10/10
17. Ride Or Die

This loyalty anthem, made me hooked to Hov’s discog. His brag raps and Ma$e jabs just add to this song and make it the best of Vol 2.
16. Can’t Knock The Hustle

This track has an cinematic vibe to it not easily replicated with the intro, Mary J Blige vocals and the pacing being just perfect. 10/10 Masterpiece
15. 4:44

The title track of Jay’s 13th album, really establishes his regrets in his love life especially cheating in his wife Béyonce and the revelation that his kids will eventually find out about his mistakes. Just a standout on 4:44 and significant change for Hov. 10/10
14. You Must Love Me

A haunting Outro, that explains Jay’s ego while he shot at his brother and the regret that followed him afterwards. 10/10
13. Lost One

The absolute standout on Kingdom Come, Jay explains the hardships and loneliness that he has dealt with over the years. Referencing his nephew’s death to further drive this, one of his most emotional songs to date and the best he put out post 2003. 10/10
12. Intro

Hov speaks on his mental state and how he’s different from every other rapper. His best album intro to date, 10/10
11. This Can’t Be Life

Jay, Beans and Scarface go in on the hardships they faced throughout their lives. Each one of them details feeling lost in the world they live, especially Scarface verse’s about one of his friends’ kids dying. Great song and the best on Dynasty 10/10
10. Never Change

Hov keeps it real running the streets on this Kanye-O joint and the soul production adds to this song. 10/10
9. Can I Live

Jay feels trapped on this feeling like the dope game will get him out of poverty but will likely get him killed. The orchestral Clark Kent production adds to this. 10/10
8. Allure

Jay reminisces on his old dealing life, he misses the life but is glad he walked away from it. Amazing song that shows Hov’s progression 10/10
7. Moment Of Clarity

The standout song on The Black Album, Jay looks at his Father’s death, the music industry and Brooklyn as a whole on his verses and reminisces on his life. Truly one of his best achievements. 10/10
6. Heart Of The City

Blueprint’s finest achievement, jay explores the lack of appreciation in the world focusing on New York and despite being 6 albums people won’t give them his flowers. You can still see this message as of today. 10/10
5. Imaginary Players

This song takes aim at rappers lying about the money and jewelry they possess as well as those who purely focus on Ice. Even though this was a subliminal attack towards Ma$e, this can still be seen with many rappers today. Best jay song not on RD, 10/10
4. Dead Presidents 1 and 2

Iconic, that’s all I gotta say. But fr this established Jay as a mafioso king he would eventually conquer the rap game. Not much else to say 10/10
3. Politics As Usual

Jay explains how he’s gonna explode in the dope game making money at the same time and how no competition will stop him. Jay at his most hungry. 10/10
2. Regrets

One of Jay’s few introspective songs on RD, Jay explores his moral compass around killing and drug dealing how he’ll live with heavy regrets for the rest of his life for what he is doing right now. Nothing short of perfect but there’s one better. 10/10
1. D’evils

This song is absolute perfection, from the Prodigy and Snoop Dogg samples at the beginning to the DJ Premier beat to Jay’s verses on how corruption over money and power will destroy all of us one by one and make blacks want to kill each other is a chilling narrative.
To an already perfect song, Hov’s greatest achievement that will likely never be topped and one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time. 10/10
Thank you if your reading this rn, retweets for exposure are appreciated. It’s fine if you disagree with my choices Hov’s discog is just that good. END OF THREAD
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