NEWS
EVENTS
Jay Z - 24 years of a Gold Career
RnB/Hip Hop | Monday 14th October 2013 | Nico Gierko
Jay Z is one of the most important players in the rap game today. Not only has he released 12 solo albums and 5 collaborations, he has also reached the top since releasing his first album Reasonable Doubt. Most artists who hit success with their first album find it difficullt to maintain their standards, but Jay Z is not like any ordinary rapper; he knows he can always outdo himself.
So now is the time to remind the world of Jay Z's journey. Starting from the moment that Shawn Carter started to rap through a myriad of game-changing songs, right from the A to the...
1989: The Jaz feat. Jay Z - The Originators .
At 20 years old, Jay Z was already so comfortable in front of the camera, so fast on the mic. This is the first music video where we can appreciate Jay Z's old school style.
1994 : Jay Z - I can‘t get with that .
Jay Z released his first big solo accompanied by a music video. He was now ready to take it to the top.
1996 : Reasonable Doubt : - Dead Presidents, - Feelin’ it , - D’evils.
His first album was recognized as one of the best albums by The Source and Rolling Stone. He recorded two songs with DJ Premier (D’evils), and we can only imagine the respect he had while he recorded Reasonable Doubt.
1997 : In my lifetime, Vol.1 : A Million and One Questions, The City is mine.
For In My Lifetime, Jay Z used a different sound, his second album sounding distinctly more new school. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard chart.
1998 : Vol.2... Hard knock life : Hard knock life.
Jay Z's third album was his best selling. The unforgettable single Hard Knock Life is symbolic of his success.
1999 : Vol.3... Life and Times of S. Carter : Big Pimpin.
In this album, Jay Z returns to his street sound. His collaboration with Timbaland resulted of the famous track, Big Pimpin.
2000 : The Dynasty : Roc La Familia: I just Wanna Love you.
This single with Pharrell Williams is one of Jay Z's most popular. He started to work with different producers such as The Neptunes. Kanye West even wanted produce a track for the album, the beginning of a long story.
2001 : The Blueprint : - Izzo (H.O.V.A), -Girls, girls, girls, - Blueprint ( Momma Loves me).
As a growing producer, Kanye West was the main producer on 4 tracks. From this album Jay Z dissed Nas, who answered back in his album Stillmatic with the track Either. Finally Nas & Jay Z realised they could make good music together, leading to Black Republican.
2002 : The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse: - Bonnie & Clyde, - Fuck all Night, - U don’t know (remix featuring M.O.P )
Kanye West, Dr Dre, Just Blaze and The Neptunes are a part of this double album. The world success Bonnie & Clyde with Beyonce was produced by Kanye West.
2003 : The Black Album : Change Clothes, 99 Problems, Dirt off your Shoulder
The Black album marks the end of an era for Jay Z, who put out one album per year since 1996. It was also promoted as his final album, but it was simply too early for him to give it all up.
2006 : Kingdom Come : Show me what you got, Lost Ones, Trouble
For his Comeback, Jay Z teamed up with Dr. Dre, who was the main producer of the album. Kingdom Come is not his best album but it still contains some amazing tunes!
2007 : American Gangster : Roc Boys, I Know, Blue Magic.
Influenced by the Movie of the same name, Jay Z has success with this album, once again with a single produced by The Neptunes Blue Magic.
2009 : The Blueprint 3 : Death of Auto-Tune, Run this town, Empire State of mind, already home, Young Forever
The Trilogy is complete with Blueprint 3 and 5 monster singles therein.
2013 : Magna Carta Holy Grail : Holy Grail, Picasso Baby, Tom Ford, Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit, Somewherinamerica.
Jay Z's most recent album is one of his best. It’s to early to truly appreciate the impact of these tracks but the fans lucky enough to see Jay Z live in concert will play witness to one of the greatest moments in his career.
We don t know if Magna Carta Holy Grail is the end for Jay Z. Maybe he will start on his « Best of ... Jay Z vol.1». Nevertheless, Jay Z will never stop trying to outdo himself and the passion behind Magna Carta Holy Grail is testament to that.
