Can I Get A: Deeper Look At Jay Z’s Album Ranking

Study the pros and cons of Hov’s list.

Album of the Year: Jay Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail - Jay Z didn't just shake up the world with his new age marketing scheme for the release of Magna Carta Holy Grail but he delivered one of the most introspective and sophisticated albums of his career. (Photo: RocNation)
7. In My Lifetime, Vol. 1  - The Facts: Certified platinum. Jay Z's first album to debut Top 5 on the Billboard 200.Haters Say: "Sunshine kills this album...f---..." Jay Z's second album was his first to release with major label backing (Def Jam). Sean "Puffy" Combs also got behind the boards as an executive producer (most noticeably so on "City Is Mine," which features Blackstreet). Some core fans were suspect that he went too commercial, but there was also a marked lyrical growth as Jay reeled with frustration following Biggie's death. It was released Nov. 4, 1997, debuting at No. 3.(Photo: Def Jam) 
Jay Z, Blueprint 3 - The Blueprint is a classic. Blueprint 2, Jay Z’s double-disc follow up, is widely viewed with mixed feelings. Blueprint 3 falls somewhere in between. The 2009 release included smashes like “Empire State of Mind” and “Run This Town,” as well as features from Drake, J. Cole, Kid Cudi and more.  (Photo: Def Jam)
9. The Dynasty - The Facts: Debuted at No. 1. Sold 557,000 in its first week. Haters Say: "This is more a crew album than a solo album.""The intro alone..." Jay wrote about this ninth pick, released Oct. 31, 2000. On it, he gave shine to the entire Roc-a-Fella family (with Memphis Bleek, and Beanie Sigel assisting on most of the songs), as well as some newcomer producers you may have heard of, The Neptunes and Kanye West.(Photo: Island Def Jam)10. Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter - The Facts: Debuted No. 1. Sold 462,000 in its first week.Haters Say: "Too many album fillers."Dec. 28, 1999, Jay dropped this set, which was meant to be a return to his Reasonable Doubt sound. This time, the world was ready for him. It moved half a mil in a week and was certified triple platinum by 2001. The video for "Big Pimpin'," it's most commercially successful single, was shot in Trinidad during Carnival, and is something of a rap legend. The only miss was the under-utilized Mariah Carey.(Photo: Def Jam) 

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7. In My Lifetime, Vol. 1  - The Facts: Certified platinum. Jay Z's first album to debut Top 5 on the Billboard 200.Haters Say: "Sunshine kills this album...f---..." Jay Z's second album was his first to release with major label backing (Def Jam). Sean "Puffy" Combs also got behind the boards as an executive producer (most noticeably so on "City Is Mine," which features Blackstreet). Some core fans were suspect that he went too commercial, but there was also a marked lyrical growth as Jay reeled with frustration following Biggie's death. It was released Nov. 4, 1997, debuting at No. 3.(Photo: Def Jam) 

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