Jay-Z, whose full name is Shawn Corey Carter, was born on December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and is 56 years old. He is an American rapper, songwriter, record executive and entrepreneur who became one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. Jay-Z began his professional music career in the late 1980s and co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records before releasing his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996. His music combines East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap and contemporary rap, while his lyrics often explore ambition, wealth, relationships, street life and personal growth. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Jay-Z has released numerous acclaimed albums and collaborated with artists including Kanye West, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Eminem, Linkin Park and Mariah Carey.
Jay-Z Quick Facts
Full Name: Shawn Corey Carter
Date of Birth: December 4, 1969
Age: 56
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States
Nationality: American
Profession: Rapper, songwriter, record executive, entrepreneur
Genres: Hip-hop, East Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, pop rap
Active Since: 1986
Jay-Z Songs
Jay-Z has one of the most extensive catalogs in hip-hop, covering more than three decades of music. His discography includes classic albums such as Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, The Black Album, 4:44 and Magna Carta Holy Grail, along with collaborative projects such as Watch the Throne with Kanye West and Everything Is Love with Beyoncé. His wider catalog also includes soundtrack appearances, standalone singles and major collaborations with some of the biggest names in music.
Complete Unique Jay-Z Song List
- 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
- Can I Live II
- Dead or Alive
- 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
- Intro (Vol. 2)
- Hand It Down
- If I Should Die
- Ride or Die
- Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)
- Can I Get A…
- Paper Chase
- Reservoir Dogs
- It’s Alright
- Money, Cash, Hoes
- Coming of Age (Da Sequel)
- Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
- A Week Ago
- Hova Song (Intro)
- So Ghetto
- Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)
- Dopeman
- 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)
- Intro (Bring It On)
- Change the Game
- 1-900-Hustler
- You, Me, Him and Her
- Streets Is Talking
- Get Your Mind Right Mami
- This Can’t Be Life
- Guilty Until Proven Innocent
- Soon You’ll Understand
- Where Have You Been
- Stick 2 the Script
- Holla
- Parking Lot Pimpin’
- The R.O.C.
- Squeeze 1st
- I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)
- 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)
- A Dream
- Some People Hate
- Hovi Baby
- Some How Some Way
- Guns & Roses
- Meet the Parents
- Blueprint² (Momma Loves Me part two)
- Show You How
- Fuck All Nite
- The Watcher 2
- Excuse Me Miss
- Diamond Is Forever
- ’03 Bonnie & Clyde
- As One (Roc La Familia 2002)
- All Around the World
- Poppin’ Tags
- Nigga Please
- What They Gonna Do
- The Bounce
- Interlude
- December 4th
- What More Can I Say
- Encore
- Change Clothes
- Dirt Off Your Shoulder
- Threat
- Moment of Clarity
- 99 Problems
- Justify My Thug
- Lucifer
- Allure
- My 1st Song
- 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
- Intro (American Gangster)
- 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
- American Gangster
- 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
- Holy Grail
- Picasso Baby
- Tom Ford
- FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt
- Oceans
- F.U.T.W.
- Somewhereinamerica
- Crown
- Heaven
- Versus
- Part II (On the Run)
- BBC
- Jay Z Blue
- La Familia
- Nickels and Dimes
- Beach Is Better
- Kill Jay Z
- The Story of O.J.
- Smile
- Caught Their Eyes
- 4:44
- Family Feud
- Bam
- Moonlight
- Marcy Me
- Legacy
- No Church in the Wild
- Lift Off
- Niggas in Paris
- Otis
- Gotta Have It
- New Day
- That’s My Bitch
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Who Gon Stop Me
- Murder to Excellence
- Made in America
- Why I Love You
- The Joy
- Illest Motherfucker Alive
- H•A•M
- Primetime
- The Best of Both Worlds
- Home Alone
- Somebody’s Girl
- Naked
- Break Up (That’s All We Do)
- Get This Money
- Take You Home wit Me a.k.a. Body
- Honey
- Guy Tries
- It Ain’t Personal
- Stay
- Big Chips
- Don’t Let Me Die
- We Got a Situation Here
- Feelin’ You (In My Bed)
- Summer
- Apeshit
- Boss
- Nice
- 713
- Friends
- Heard About Us
- Black Effect
- LoveHappy
- Dirt Off Your Shoulder / Lying from You
- Jigga What / Faint
- Big Pimpin’ / Papercut
- Izzo / In the End
- Points of Authority / 99 Problems / One Step Closer
- Numb / Encore
- My President (with Young Jeezy)
- Glory
- Spiritual
- It’s Like That
- Swagga Like Us
- Monster
- Clique
- Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)
- Public Service Announcement
Jay-Z Albums and Songs
Reasonable Doubt (1996)
Reasonable Doubt is Jay-Z’s debut studio album, released in June 1996 through his own Roc-A-Fella Records. Built on jazzy, sample-driven production from DJ Premier, Ski, and Clark Kent, it introduced Jay-Z’s mafioso-rap style and is frequently cited by fans and critics as his most lyrically dense work.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Can’t Knock the Hustle (feat. Mary J. Blige)
- Politics as Usual
- Brooklyn’s Finest (feat. The Notorious B.I.G.)
- Dead Presidents II
- Feelin’ It (feat. Mecca)
- D’Evils
- 22 Two’s
- Can I Live
- Ain’t No Nigga (feat. Foxy Brown)
- Friend or Foe
- Coming of Age (feat. Memphis Bleek)
- Cashmere Thoughts
- Bring It On (feat. Sauce Money & Jaz-O)
- Regrets
Bonus Edition Additional Tracks (later reissues):
- Can I Live II (feat. Memphis Bleek)
- Dead or Alive
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997)
Jay-Z’s second studio album arrived in November 1997, following the death of close collaborator The Notorious B.I.G. Produced largely by Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy production team, it pushed Jay-Z toward a glossier, more radio-friendly sound while still touching on his past.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Intro (A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More)
- The City Is Mine (feat. Blackstreet)
- I Know What Girls Like (feat. Puff Daddy & Lil’ Kim)
- Imaginary Player
- Streets Is Watching
- Friend or Foe ’98
- Lucky Me
- (Always Be My) Sunshine (feat. Babyface & Foxy Brown)
- Who You Wit II
- Face Off (feat. Sauce Money)
- Real Niggaz (feat. Too Short)
- Rap Game/Crack Game
- Where I’m From
- You Must Love Me
Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life (1998)
Released in September 1998, Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life became Jay-Z’s commercial breakthrough, driven by the Annie-sampling title track. It is his best-selling studio album and his first to top the Billboard 200.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Intro
- Hand It Down (feat. Memphis Bleek)
- If I Should Die
- Ride or Die (feat. Da Ranjahz)
- Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99) (feat. Amil & Jaz-O)
- Can I Get A… (feat. Amil & Ja Rule)
- Paper Chase (feat. Foxy Brown)
- Reservoir Dogs (feat. The Lox, Beanie Sigel & Sauce Money)
- It’s Alright (feat. Memphis Bleek & Rell)
- Money, Cash, Hoes (feat. DMX)
- Coming of Age (Da Sequel) (feat. Memphis Bleek)
- Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
- A Week Ago (feat. Too Short & Timbaland)
Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)
Jay-Z’s fourth studio album, released in December 1999, leaned further into club-ready production while still nodding to his street roots, and included his first major crossover hit with UGK, “Big Pimpin’.”
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Hova Song (Intro)
- So Ghetto
- Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up) (feat. Beanie Sigel & Amil)
- Dopeman (feat. Freeway)
- Things That U Do (feat. Mariah Carey)
- It’s Hot (Some Like It Hot)
- Snoopy Track (feat. Juvenile)
- S. Carter (feat. Amil)
- Pop 4 Roc (feat. Beanie Sigel, Amil & Memphis Bleek)
- Watch Me (feat. Dr. Dre)
- Big Pimpin’ (feat. UGK)
- There’s Been a Murder
- Come and Get Me
- NYMP
- Hova Song (Outro)
The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000)
The Dynasty marked Jay-Z’s fifth studio album and showcased the Roc-A-Fella roster, giving heavy spotlight to Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, and Freeway alongside Jay-Z himself. It is considered a transitional record heading into the acclaimed Blueprint era.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Intro (Bring It On)
- Change the Game (feat. Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek)
- 1-900-Hustler (feat. Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Memphis Bleek & Amil)
- You, Me, Him and Her (feat. Amil, Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek)
- Streets Is Talking (feat. Beanie Sigel)
- Get Your Mind Right Mami (feat. Snoop Dogg & Memphis Bleek)
- This Can’t Be Life (feat. Beanie Sigel & Scarface)
- Guilty Until Proven Innocent (feat. R. Kelly)
- Soon You’ll Understand
- Where Have You Been (feat. Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek)
- Stick 2 the Script (feat. Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek)
- Holla
- Parking Lot Pimpin’ (feat. Freeway & Memphis Bleek)
- The R.O.C.
- Squeeze 1st (feat. Memphis Bleek, Freeway & Young Chris)
- I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)
The Blueprint (2001)
Released on September 11, 2001, The Blueprint is widely considered Jay-Z’s creative peak. Almost entirely self-performed with minimal guest features, it introduced soul-sampling production from Kanye West and Just Blaze and launched the “Takeover” feud with Nas and Mobb Deep.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- 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 (feat. Eminem)
- Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse (2002)
Jay-Z’s seventh studio album, released in November 2002, is a sprawling 25-track double LP split between the pop-leaning “Gift” disc and the harder-edged “Curse” disc. It produced two top-ten hits, “’03 Bonnie & Clyde” and “Excuse Me Miss,” though Jay-Z later called the record overstuffed.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- A Dream (feat. Faith Evans & The Notorious B.I.G.)
- Some People Hate
- Hovi Baby
- Some How Some Way (feat. Beanie Sigel & Scarface)
- Guns & Roses (feat. Lenny Kravitz)
- Meet the Parents
- Blueprint² (Momma Loves Me part two) (feat. Rakim & Common)
- Show You How (feat. Freeway & Beanie Sigel)
- Fuck All Nite (feat. Lenny Kravitz, Peedi Crakk & Freeway)
- The Watcher 2 (feat. Dr. Dre, Rakim & Truth Hurts)
- U Don’t Know (Remix) (feat. M.O.P.)
- Excuse Me Miss (feat. Pharrell)
- Diamond Is Forever
- ’03 Bonnie & Clyde (feat. Beyoncé)
- As One (Roc La Familia 2002)
- All Around the World (feat. LaToiya Williams)
- Poppin’ Tags (feat. Twista, Killer Mike & Big Boi)
- Nigga Please (feat. Young Chris)
- What They Gonna Do (feat. Sean Paul)
- The Bounce (feat. Freeway)
Note: A one-disc reissue titled Blueprint 2.1 was released in 2003, condensing the double album into a shorter tracklist drawn from the same songs above rather than adding new material.
The Black Album (2003)
Intended as Jay-Z’s farewell before a short-lived retirement, The Black Album (November 2003) is one of his most acclaimed records, featuring production from Kanye West, Timbaland, and The Neptunes, and the massive hit “99 Problems.”
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Interlude
- December 4th
- What More Can I Say
- Encore
- Change Clothes (feat. Pharrell)
- Dirt Off Your Shoulder
- Threat
- Moment of Clarity
- 99 Problems
- Justify My Thug
- Lucifer
- Allure
- My 1st Song
Kingdom Come (2006)
Kingdom Come, released in November 2006, marked Jay-Z’s return from retirement. Its title track and lead single addressed his comeback directly, and the album leaned on live instrumentation and mature themes about aging in hip-hop.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- The Prelude
- Oh My God
- Kingdom Come
- Show Me What You Got
- Lost One (feat. Chrisette Michele)
- Do U Wanna Ride (feat. John Legend)
- 30 Something
- I Made It (interlude, feat. Beyoncé)
- Anything (feat. Usher & Pharrell)
- Hollywood (feat. Beyoncé)
- Trouble
- Dig a Hole (feat. Sterling Simms)
- Minority Report (feat. Ne-Yo)
- Beach Chair (feat. Chris Martin)
American Gangster (2007)
Inspired by the Ridley Scott film of the same name, American Gangster (November 2007) is a loosely conceptual album exploring themes of ambition and the drug trade, tied together with narration and soulful, cinematic production.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Intro (performed by Idris Elba)
- Pray
- American Dreamin’
- Hello Brooklyn 2.0 (feat. Lil Wayne)
- No Hook
- Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)…
- Sweet
- I Know
- Party Life
- Ignorant Shit (feat. Beanie Sigel)
- Say Hello
- Success (feat. Nas)
- Fallin’
- Blue Magic (feat. Pharrell)
- American Gangster
The Blueprint 3 (2009)
The third entry in the Blueprint series, released September 8, 2009, moved Jay-Z into a brighter, more anthemic pop-rap sound with heavy Kanye West production, spawning the chart-topping “Empire State of Mind” alongside Alicia Keys.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- What We Talkin’ About (feat. Luke Steele)
- Thank You
- D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)
- Run This Town (feat. Rihanna & Kanye West)
- Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys)
- Real as It Gets (feat. Young Jeezy)
- On to the Next One (feat. Swizz Beatz)
- Off That (feat. Drake)
- A Star Is Born (feat. J. Cole)
- Venus vs. Mars
- Already Home (feat. Kid Cudi)
- Hate (feat. Kanye West)
- Reminder
- So Ambitious (feat. Pharrell)
- Young Forever (feat. Mr Hudson)
Deluxe/Special Editions: Various regional and digital special editions (including a “Deluxe Edition with DVD” and a “Soul Assassin Special Edition”) added bonus remixes and extended interviews rather than new original songs beyond those already listed above.
Magna Carta… Holy Grail (2013)
Released as a surprise, pre-order-exclusive album in July 2013, Magna Carta… Holy Grail found Jay-Z reflecting on wealth, art, and legacy, with high-profile guest turns from Justin Timberlake, Frank Ocean, and Beyoncé.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Holy Grail (feat. Justin Timberlake)
- Picasso Baby
- Tom Ford
- FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt (feat. Rick Ross)
- Oceans (feat. Frank Ocean)
- F.U.T.W.
- Somewhereinamerica
- Crown
- Heaven
- Versus
- Part II (On the Run) (feat. Beyoncé)
- BBC (feat. Nas, Pharrell, Beyoncé, Swizz Beatz & Timbaland)
- Jay Z Blue
- La Familia
- Nickels and Dimes
Target Deluxe Edition Additional Track:
- Beach Is Better
4:44 (2017)
Released exclusively on Tidal in June 2017, 4:44 is Jay-Z’s most personal album, addressing infidelity, marriage, and generational wealth over soul-sampled No I.D. production. It is widely regarded as a late-career creative and critical high point.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- Kill Jay Z
- The Story of O.J.
- Smile
- Caught Their Eyes (feat. Frank Ocean)
- 4:44
- Family Feud (feat. Beyoncé)
- Bam (feat. Damian Marley)
- Moonlight
- Marcy Me
- Legacy
Watch the Throne (with Kanye West, 2011)
Watch the Throne is a joint album between Jay-Z and Kanye West, released in August 2011. Built on maximalist, luxury-rap production, it produced the anthem “Niggas in Paris” and stands as one of the most celebrated collaborative albums in hip-hop.
Complete Standard Tracklist:
- No Church in the Wild (feat. Frank Ocean)
- Lift Off (feat. Beyoncé)
- Niggas in Paris
- Otis (feat. Otis Redding)
- Gotta Have It
- New Day
- That’s My Bitch
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Who Gon Stop Me
- Murder to Excellence
- Made in America (feat. Frank Ocean)
- Why I Love You (feat. Mr Hudson)
Deluxe Edition Additional Tracks:
- The Joy (feat. Curtis Mayfield)
- Illest Motherfucker Alive
- H•A•M
- Primetime
The Best of Both Worlds (with R. Kelly, 2002)
The first of two joint albums with R. Kelly, released in March 2002, blending Kelly’s R&B hooks with Jay-Z’s verses. It was commercially successful despite mixed reviews.
Complete Tracklist:
- The Best of Both Worlds
- Home Alone
- Somebody’s Girl
- Naked
- Break Up (That’s All We Do)
- Get This Money
- Take You Home wit Me a.k.a. Body
- Honey
- Guy Tries
- It Ain’t Personal
- Stay
Unfinished Business (with R. Kelly, 2004)
Released in October 2004, Unfinished Business compiled additional material recorded during the Best of Both Worlds sessions. The accompanying tour was cut short following incidents between the two artists.
Complete Tracklist:
- Big Chips
- Don’t Let Me Die
- We Got a Situation Here
- Feelin’ You (In My Bed)
Everything Is Love (as The Carters, with Beyoncé, 2018)
Released as a surprise album in June 2018 under the duo name The Carters, Everything Is Love found Jay-Z and Beyoncé addressing their marriage and shared success over Pharrell-assisted production.
Complete Tracklist:
- Summer
- Apeshit
- Boss
- Nice
- 713
- Friends
- Heard About Us
- Black Effect
- LoveHappy
Official Standalone Singles or Songs Not Included on the Main Studio Albums
Early Standalone Releases
- Public Service Announcement — later folded into The Black Album as an interlude, though early promotional pressings circulated it as a standalone cut.
- My President (with Young Jeezy) — standalone single released in 2008.
Soundtrack and Film Songs
- It’s Like That (feat. Memphis Bleek, Sauce Money & Christion) — from the Streets Is Watching soundtrack (1998).
- Ain’t No Nigga (feat. Foxy Brown) — also featured on The Nutty Professor soundtrack (1996), in addition to appearing on Reasonable Doubt.
Collaborations and Other Official Releases
- Collision Course (EP with Linkin Park, 2004) — a mash-up project blending Jay-Z and Linkin Park songs:
- Dirt Off Your Shoulder / Lying from You
- Jigga What / Faint
- Big Pimpin’ / Papercut
- Izzo / In the End
- Points of Authority / 99 Problems / One Step Closer
- Numb / Encore
- Swagga Like Us — T.I. featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West & Lil Wayne (2008)
- Monster — Kanye West featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver (2010)
- Clique — Kanye West, Big Sean & Jay-Z (2012)
- Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix) — Kanye West featuring Jay-Z (2005)
- Glory — standalone single released in 2012 to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter
- Spiritual — standalone single released in 2016
Live Albums and Official Live Projects
MTV Unplugged: Jay-Z (2001)
Recorded in November 2001 with backing from The Roots, MTV Unplugged: Jay-Z reimagined a career-spanning selection of his hits with live instrumentation, string arrangements, and guest vocal turns from Mary J. Blige and Pharrell. It remains one of the most acclaimed entries in the long-running MTV Unplugged series.
Complete Tracklist (Live Versions):
- Intro
- Izzo (H.O.V.A.) (Live)
- Girls, Girls, Girls (Live)
- Big Pimpin’ (Live)
- Can I Get A… (Live)
- Song Cry (Live)
- Ain’t No Nigga (Live)
- Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love) (Live)
- U Don’t Know (Live)
- Takeover (Live)
- Can I Live (Live)
- Jigga What, Jigga Who (Live)
- Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) (Live)
All songs on this project are live renditions of tracks already documented in the main studio album sections above and are not counted as separate original songs in the main unique song list.
Final Wrap-Up
From the hungry, hustler’s poetry of Reasonable Doubt to the soul-searching honesty of 4:44, Jay-Z’s discography traces one of hip-hop’s most remarkable evolutions, moving from underground storytelling to mainstream dominance to elder-statesman reflection without ever losing his lyrical edge. Across thirteen solo albums, landmark collaborations with Kanye West, R. Kelly, Linkin Park, and Beyoncé, a celebrated live record, and dozens of standalone singles and soundtrack contributions, he built a catalog that helped define modern hip-hop while consistently pushing his own artistry forward. Decades after “Can’t Knock the Hustle” first introduced him to the world, Jay-Z’s songbook remains one of the richest and most studied bodies of work in popular music.
For More Visit Hyper Pop
