Jay-Z Albums in Order

Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, has impacted the music industry, transcending hip-hop and becoming a cultural icon. Jay-Z’s albums and music have shaped the hip-hop landscape, and he has an impressive discography over two decades.

Jay-Z has released thirteen solo studio albums, four collaboration albums, one live album, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, two extended plays, 145 singles (45 as a featured artist), nine promotional singles, and 82 music videos.

Following Jay-Z’s albums in order provides a unique perspective on his evolution as an artist and his impact on the music industry.

Let’s look into Jay-Z’s Albums.

Jay-Z Albums in Order

Reasonable Doubt (1996)

Reasonable Doubt” is Jay-Z’s first-ever album, which came out on June 25, 1996. It was released by Priority Records and Roc-A-Fella Records. The album is a showcase of Jay-Z’s early talent. DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody, and Clark Kent were the producers, and the album featured other artists like Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O, and the Notorious B.I.G.

Tracks

• Can’t Knock the Hustle
• Politics as Usual
• Brooklyn’s Finest
• Dead Presidents II
• Feelin’ It
• D’Evils
• 22 Two’s
• Can I Live
• Ain’t No Nigga
• Friend or Foe
• Coming of Age
• Cashmere Thoughts
• Bring It On
• Regrets

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997)

Jay-Z’s second studio album, ‘In My Lifetime, Vol. 1,’ came out on November 4, 1997, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. It debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, and in its first week, over 138,000 copies were sold, leading to a Platinum certification from the RIAA.

Tracks

• Intro / A Million And One Questions / Rhyme No More
• The City Is Mine
• I Know What Girls Like
• Imaginary Player
• Streets Is Watching
• Friend or Foe ’98
• Lucky Me
• (Always Be My) Sunshine
• Who You Wit II
• Face Off
• Real Niggaz
• Rap Game / Crack Game
• Where I’m From
• You Must Love Me

Vol 2 Hard Knock Life (1998)

Jay-Z’s third studio album, ‘Hard Knock Life,’ was released on September 29, 1998, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. This album marked the peak of Jay-Z’s success, selling over 6 million copies in the US. In the album’s notes, Jay-Z shares his thoughts on various tracks, giving us a peek into how he creates his music.

Tracks

• Intro – Hand It Down
• Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
• If I Should Die
• Ride or Die
• Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)
• Money, Cash, Hoes
• A Week Ago
• Coming of Age (Da Sequel)
• Can I Get A…
• Paper Chase
• Reservoir Dogs
• It’s Like That
• It’s Alright
• Money Ain’t a Thang

Vol. 3 Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)

Jay-Z’s fourth studio album, ‘Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter was released on December 28, 1999, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Steve Jones from USA Today praised it, saying it brought back the street-oriented sound of Jay-Z’s first album, ‘Reasonable Doubt.’ The album featured production from top talents like Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, DJ Clue, and more.

Tracks

• Hova Song (Intro)
• So Ghetto
• Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)
• Dope Man
• Things That U Do
• It’s Hot (Some Like It Hot)
• Snoopy Track
• S. Carter
• Pop 4 Roc
• Watch Me
• Big Pimpin’
• There’s Been a Murder
• Come and Get Me
• NYMP
• Hova Song (Outro)
• igga My Nigga
• Girl’s Best Friend

The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)

Jay-Z’s fifth studio album, ‘The Dynasty: Roc-La-Familia,’ highlights the talent of artists signed to Roc-A-Fella Records. It was released on October 31, 2000, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings.

The album’s lead single, ‘I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me),’ produced by the Neptunes, was a huge success, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Tracks

• Intro
• Change the Game
• I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)
• Streets Is Talking
• This Can’t Be Life
• Get Your Mind Right Mami
• Stick 2 the Script
• You, Me, Him and Her
• Guilty Until Proven Innocent
• Parking Lot Pimpin’
• Holla
• 1-900-Hustler
• The R.O.C.
• Soon You’ll Understand
• Squeeze 1st
• Where Have You Been

The Blueprint (2001)

Jay-Z’s sixth studio album, ‘The Blueprint,’ came out on September 11, 2001. This highly anticipated release was produced under Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings.

Even though the album came out during the September 11 attacks, it received universal acclaim. People praised Jay-Z’s exceptional lyrics and the soulful sounds in the album.

Tracks

• The Ruler’s Back
• Takeover
• Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
• Girls, Girls, Girls
• Jigga That Nigga
• U Don’t Know
• Hola’ Hovito
• Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)
• Never Change
• Song Cry
• All I Need
• Renegade
• Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)

The Blueprint2: The Gift & the Curse (2002)

Jay-Z’s seventh studio album, ‘The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse,’ came out on November 12, 2002, under Roc-A-Fella Records and Island Def Jam Music Group. This album followed his praised sixth album, ‘The Blueprint’ (2001). It included a large collection of tracks later reissued for the album ‘Blueprint 2.1’ (2003).

Tracks

• A Dream
• Hovi Baby
• The Watcher 2
• ’03 Bonnie & Clyde
• Excuse Me Miss
• What They Gonna Do
• All Around the World
• Poppin’ Tags
• Fuck All Nite
• The Bounce
• I Did It My Way
• Diamond Is Forever
• Guns & Roses
• U Don’t Know (Remix)
• Meet the Parents
• Some How Some Way
• Some People Hate
• Blueprint2
• Nigga Please
• 2 Many Hoes
• As One
• A Ballad for the Fallen Soldier
• Show You How
• Bitches & Sisters
• What They Gonna Do, Part II

The Black Album (2003)

Jay-Z’s eighth album, ‘The Black Album,’ came out on November 14, 2003, under Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Marketed as his farewell album before retirement, the theme of retirement echoes throughout the tracks. However, Jay-Z returned to recording in 2005.

Tracks

• Interlude
• December 4th
• What More Can I Say
• Encore
• Change Clothes
• Dirt off Your Shoulder
• Threat
• Moment of Clarity
• 99 Problems
• Public Service Announcement (Interlude)
• Justify My Thug
• Lucifer
• Allure
• My 1st Song

Kingdom Come (2006)

Jay-Z’s ninth album, ‘Kingdom Come,’ made a powerful ‘comeback’ when released on November 21, 2006. After promoting ‘The Black Album’ in 2003 as his final project, this album marked his return to the forefront of the hip-hop scene.

It featured productions from names like Just Blaze, DJ Khalil, Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, and Kanye West. ‘Kingdom Come’ also included John Legend, Beyoncé, Usher, Ne-Yo guest appearances, and more.

Tracks

• The Prelude
• Oh My God
• Kingdom Come
• Show Me What You Got
• Lost One
• Do U Wanna Ride
• 30 Something
• I Made It
• Anything
• Hollywood
• Trouble
• Dig a Hole
• Minority Report
• Beach Chair

American Gangster (2007)

This is one of Jay-Z albums. American Gangster’ is a concept masterpiece inspired by the 2007 film of the same name. Released on November 6, the album boasts top-notch production from Diddy & the Hitmen, Just Blaze, and the Neptunes, among others.

Tracks

• Intro
• Pray
• American Dreamin’
• Hello Brooklyn 2.0
• No Hook
• Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)…
• Sweet
• I Know
• Party Life
• Ignorant Shit
• Say Hello
• Success
• Fallin’
• Blue Magic

The Blueprint 3 (2009)

This is one of Jay-Z albums. The Blueprint 3,’ arrived on September 8, 2009, under Roc Nation, distributed by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. This album is the third installment in the Blueprint series, following the successes of ‘The Blueprint’ (2001) and ‘The Blueprint2: The Gift & The Curse’ (2002).

Tracks

• What We Talkin’ About
• Thank You
• D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)
• Run This Town
• Empire State of Mind
• Real as It Gets
• On to the Next One
• Off That
• A Star Is Born
• Venus vs. Mars
• Already Home
• Hate
• Reminder
• So Ambitious
• Young Forever

Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013)

This is also one of Jay-Z albums. ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail,’ was released on July 8, 2013, by Roc Nation, Roc-A-Fella, and Universal Music Distribution. Initially, the album was offered as a free digital download to Samsung customers through the Jay-Z Magna Carta app on July 4, 2013.

Tracks

• Holy Grail
• Picasso Baby
• Tom Ford
• Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit
• Oceans
• F.U.T.W.
• Somewhereinamerica
• Crown
• Heaven
• Versus
• Part II (On the Run)
• Beach Is Better
• BBC
• JAY Z Blue
• La Familia
• Nickels and Dimes

4:44 (2017)

Jay-Z albums, ‘4:44,’ was released on June 30, 2017, exclusively for Sprint and Tidal customers under his Roc Nation label. Produced primarily by No I.D., the album featured guest appearances from artists like Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, and Damian Marley and vocal contributions from his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, and others.

Tracks

• Kill Jay Z
• The Story of O.J.
• Smile
• Caught Their Eyes
• “4:44”
• Family Feud
• Bam
• Moonlight
• Marcy Me
• Legacy
• Adnis
• Blue’s Freestyle / We Family
• ManyFacedGod

 Everything Is Love with Beyoncé (as the Carters) (2018)

Everything Is Love,’ the debut studio album by the musical duo the Carters, made waves when it was released on June 16, 2018. This dynamic duo comprises the power couple Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter.

Tracks

• Summer
• Apeshit
• Boss
• Nice
• 713
• Friends
• Heard About Us
• Black Effect
• LoveHappy

FAQ on Jay-Z Albums

Conclusion

Jay-Z’s album shows how he has remained relevant and kept up with how hip-hop has evolved. Following Jay-Z’s albums in order offers a rewarding experience, allowing you to witness the journey of a legend and appreciate the depth and complexity of his creativity, whether you’re a longtime fan or just starting to explore his music.