FSD Presents: The Best Jay-Z Songs: 50 More
Artwork by Ty Kidd
Yesterday Complex dropped their 100 Best Jay-Z Songs list which was written by yours truly (read it here if you missed it). Of course I’m biased, but I thought the list was extremely comprehensive and did a great job walking Jigga fans down memory lane. Truth be told, this list could’ve stretched to 200, but a list that size would’ve probably taken months to complete (and even longer to read).
Most of the feedback I received was along the lines of: “Why didn’t _____ make the list,” or “Where is _____.” Well, obviously we’re not going to please everyone, as music is 100% subjective. So I took it upon myself to create a short list of 50 more tracks that didn’t make the cut, but are equally as dope.
Sure, my list weighs heavily on the poppy, jiggy and commercial singles that were omitted, but there’s some of us out there who appreciate these records. I do, however, challenge anyone to name a hip-hop artist with more classics in their collection. Not happenin’.
So enjoy day two of FSD’s Hova coverage with 50 more (in alphabetical order, of course).
Jay-Z “All I Need” (2001)
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A blogger’s been focused since I said ‘hi’ to 30.
Jay-Z f/ Foxy Brown & Babyface “(Always Be My) Sunshine” (1997)
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I don’t care if you think this one is fruity. It jams.
Jay-Z “Anything” (2000)
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Remember when Jay jacked a single from Beanie’s album? Loved this record, despite it’s obvious attempt at “Hard Knock Life” part two.
Jay-Z “Blueprint 2” (2002)
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After the ether, Jay got his mojo back. Oh and your little homie Jungle is a garden to me.
Jay-Z f/ Kanye West “The Bounce” (2002)
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Chi-Town Go-Gettin’ pimps, we mobsters. Kanye’s first look.
Jay-Z f/ Memphis Bleek, Sauce Money & Wais “Celebration” (1998)
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Memphis Bleek’s greatest verse.
Jay-Z “Change Clothes” (2003)
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Underrated first single from The Black Album.
Jay-Z f/ Blackstreet “The City Is Mine” (1997)
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The city was Jay’s, but it wasn’t Miami.
Diddy f/ Jay-Z “Do You Like It…Do You Want It…” (1999)
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Jiggy was on its deathbed in Fall of ’99. This was a good way to go. R.I.P.
Jay-Z “Don’t You Know” (2002)
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Bonsoir, muhfuckers. I’ve also included the Nas diss that got cut from the last verse.
Jay-Z f/ Pharrell Williams “Excuse Me Miss” (2002)
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Grown and sexy should’ve been a genre.
Jay-Z f/ Sauce Money “Face Off” (1997)
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We don’t love these hooooes. Please bring back the Trackmasters.
Funkmaster Flex & Big Kap f/ Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel & Amil “For My Thugs” (1999)
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One of Jay’s most vivid lines: “Stickin’ Furby’s out the window, snatching your niece”
Pharrell f/ Jay-Z “Frontin” (2003)
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Eight bars for the summer.
DJ Clue f/ Jay-Z & Ja Rule “Gangsta Shit” (1998)
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Professional gangsta shit.
Bun B f/ Jay-Z, Pimp C, Young Jeezy & Z-Ro “Get Throwed” (2005)
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Six years after “Big Pimpin,” Jay checks in with the Underground Kingz.
Jay-Z “Girls Best Friend” (1999)
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A diamond in the rough from the Blue Streak soundtrack.
Jay-Z f/ R. Kelly “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” (2000)
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JIGGA KELLY NOT GUILTY
Mariah Carey f/ Jay-Z “Heartbreaker” (1999)
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Jay’s first number one single.
Jay-Z f/ Pharrell Williams “I Know” (2007)
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Drug metaphor gone right.
The Notorious B.I.G. f/ Jay-Z “I Love The Dough” (1997)
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Who says mobsters don’t prosper?
Foxy Brown f/ Jay-Z “I’ll Be” (1996)
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Foxy and Jay’s successful second outing.
Jay-Z f/ Da Rainjahz “If I Should Die” (1998)
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Life’s short, don’t miss a day.
Jay-Z “Ignorant Shit” (2004)
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Don DeMarco’s tags were the worst, but didn’t stop me from wearing this song out. The original, though.
Jay-Z & 50 Cent Reebok Commercial (2003)
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Jay had to squash the beef after 50 became the biggest thing in rap music. They broke Reebok records after this creative ran.
Timbaland f/ Jay-Z “Lobster & Scrimp” (1998)
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Y’all can’t ball like Chicago centers.
Rell f/ Jay-Z “Love For Free” (1998)
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It’s 2011 and Rell still hasn’t dropped an album.
Jay-Z f/ Memphis Bleek & Sauce Money “Marcy To Hollywood” (1998)
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From the soundtrack files. Master your algebra.
Jay-Z f/ Memphis Bleek & Geda K “Murda Marcyville” (Original) (2001)
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There’s no Marcyville? Who cares! Where art thou Geda K? R.I.P. Jayo Felony’s career.
Jay-Z f/ DMX & Ja Rule “Murdergram” (1998)
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It was murda. For about three songs.
Jay-Z f/ Young Chris “N**** Please” (2002)
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Jay stole Young Chris’ style? Oh word?
Jay-Z “Only A Customer” (1997)
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He’s your pusher.
Jaz f/ Jay-Z “The Originators” (1990)
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Jay and Jaz get their iggidy iggidy on. The precursor to “Jigga What, Jigga Who.”
Timbaland & Magoo f/ Jay-Z & Twista “Party People” (2001)
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I wish Jay, Timbaland and Twista had 20 songs together.
Jay-Z “Peoples Court” (2000)
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This mixtape cut from ‘99 finally found a proper home on the Backstage soundtrack in 2000. We hold court in the street.
Jay-Z f/ Twista, Big Boi & Killer Mike “Poppin’ Tags” (2002)
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One of Kanye’s baddest beats. Twista sounds especially perfect over this one. I’d like more ‘Kast and Kanye, as well. Yep!
Jay-Z “Show Me What You Go” (2006)
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Why did you hate this song? Was it the product placement? I already gave the summer some!
Jay-Z f/ Juvenile “Snoopy Track” (1999)
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I got ‘em Iceberg shit they thought I knew Snoopy…
Jay-Z f/ Scarface & Beanie Sigel “Some How Some Way” (2002)
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Three Amigos.
Jay-Z “Some People Hate” (2002)
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How could you hate on this? Classic Jay and Ye.
Jay-Z “Stop” (2003)
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You ain’t livin’ your rhymes out, you live at your Mom’s house.
Jay-Z “Thank You” (2009)
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I was gonna kill a couple bloggers but they did it to themselves. That third verse is pure sub-ether.
Jay-Z “Threat” (2003)
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Jay was going in on this. All critics can duck sick.
Jay-Z f/ Sauce Money “Wanted Dead Or Alive” (199?)
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Who said Hov didn’t fire back at 2Pac? Sounds like shots to me.
R. Kelly f/ Jay-Z, N.O.R.E., Cam’Ron & Boo & Gotti “We Ride” (1998)
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Switch up cars like Rodman’s haircolor.
Jay-Z f/ Too $hort – A Week Ago (1998)
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Funny what seven days can change.
Memphis Bleek f/ Jay-Z “What You Think Of That” (1999)
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Like I ain’t five mill, and what did your joint go?
Michael Jackson f/ Jay-Z “You Rock My World (Remix)” (2001)
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The Mike Jordan of rap, Mike Jackson of Pop.
Jay-Z f/ Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel & Amil “You, Me, Him, Her” (2000)
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Amillion gone.
Christion f/ Jay-Z “Your Love” (1998)
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My rap is as sick as it gets.
Bonus: Big Jaz f/ Jay-Z “Hawaiian Sophie” (1989)
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Jiggaman’s entry, even it was ad-libs only…
JAY HAS SPENT MOST OF HIS CAREER BITIN’ OF OTHER RAPPERS & BIGGIE!!!!!! WHO CARES. WHATEVER HAPPENED 2 NEVER CHANGE??????????????
OHHHHH THATS WHY THEY CALL IT FAKE SHORE DRIVE ……. DISS NIGGA AINT FROM CHICAGO…. QUIT PUTTIN THIS BULLSHIT UP…. DIS NIGGA RICH AND DONT FUCK WIT THE CHI AND YALL STILL RIDIN DIX
You don’t think Jay has love for the Chi? Just curious. He’s done two joint albums, both with artists from the Chi.
I know this isn’t Chicago-related, per se, but it does involve an extension of my writing, which i thought readers might enjoy.
Actually 3 (2 BOBW)
I agree with you on one point this should be a Chi only site. This is in no way Go related even if the writer of the article is. Cuz its too much happening musically in this city that isnt getting covered(even tho Im guilty of participating cuz Im commenting (sfw)).
where is you must love me??????
Yes a very dope song.
I happen to be a fan of jay-z music I have yet to read the article But the 3 best songs he has lyrically is Lucifer, There’s Been A Murder, & NYMP. If you dont have those throw ur list away!
FSD is chicago based and focused but hip-hop is universal and its good to check in with other sets. Not a big jay fan, but the list was interesting nonetheless.
STILL no You Must Love Me????
There is no excuse for the absence of “Politics As Usual”, “Regrets”, “Where I’m From”, “Cant Knock The Hustle”, “Can I live”, and Big L’s “Da Graveyard” which featured Jay-Z at one of his finest moments. I appreciate your efforts. However, this list was poorly executed. Try again. – NYC native.
Oh shit. And pardon me for forgetting “Dead Presidents I”, and “Feelin It”