Top 10 Best Jay-Z Songs

The Top Ten
1 99 Problems

Love Jay-Z! This song is just to dope, I love it. Jay-Z is no doubt a king of rap. Eminem is as well, but I wont compare them cause they have their own styles. But this song has a dope beat and dope lyrics. "If you don't like my lyrics you can press fast forward" love that line, haters can stfu cause Jay-Z don't care. Great song

Jay z is by far the best rapper alive, 99 Problems deserves this spot because Jay Z is awesome. This song has rekindle my love for hip hop and music

It's really good. I recommend it a lot. It was very cool lyrics. A must hear song from jay-z. The music is very epic too. Don't miss this one people.

I was not a jay-z fan but after I heard this song I am like crazy about jay-z. his songs are just somethng else its amazing how cool and yet sensible his lyrics are!

2 Empire State of Mind

This song reminds me of when I went to NYC in December 2021, as I remember hearing it in the city multiple times on the day I went there.

Only in 'Murica could the chorus be interpreted as "Concrete Jungle Wet Dream Tomato..."
This is in the top 5 of any collaborations between rappers and singers. California Gurls is catchy, but is a joke. Especially compared to this. Jay-Z has better lyricism on other songs, but this song is so easy to love, with the great chorus.

Love this song so much. It might be because I didn't listen much to Jay-Z before this, but every part of this song, from the rap to the hook, is perfect. Love how much thought Jay-Z put into this song. Each line has meaning. It's just perfect.

Don't kid yourself, this song took a lot of time from Alicia Keys who "Poured Her Heart" into the song! The beat is awesome and is popularised now on commercial and such!

3 Dead Presidents II

Dead Presidents II is arguably Jay-Z's best song. This song has amazing lyricism, a mellow beat, and one of the best hooks of any rap song. Dead Presidents II will always be remembered as a classic and will always be the song that launched Jay-Z to be one of rap's biggest superstars.

When you compare this to anything he recently made, you'll notice how good his rhymes were back then. But now since he got his fortune, he doesn't have to rap for money and his rhymes have become worse. Perhaps it's because he doesn't write some of them anymore.

The the casual jay z fan. Looking for hooks and choruses (empire state of mind). This is hands down his best song. Not only a top ten jay z song, but a contender for top ten hip hop songs of all time.

He spits his ass of on this hot joint. Dead Presidents II is by far his best Song. Some of his best rhymes. A dope and smooth flow. And awesome Lyrics. This is Old-School Jay-Z. This is the real Jay and not The Black Album.

4 Renegade

I think this might be the best rap collaboration ever!
It's arguable who has the better verse ( in my opinion Eminem because of his insane rhyming, but that's my opinion and I wouldn't say you're wrong if you say Jay's part is better) because they're all incredible, plus this song has meaning and is real. It even might not be his best track, I just like it the most.

Yeah, it's pretty high up on this list but I honestly think it deserves top 3, easily. The chorus is amazing and the lyrics are just unbelievably good. Call me dumb, but I think 99 Problems is overplayed/overrated. Same with Dirt Off Your Shoulder, but not as much. All I know is that I'm a renegade!

If everyone has heard this song it would by far be #1 just look it up you wont regret. Everyone looking at this comment would agree with me after I promise. Just do us all a favor and look it up. Best lyrics, outstanding beat and flow. Its just amazing and by far a complete classic 100%

This is, without a doubt, the best Jay-Z song I have ever heard, it helps eliminate so many stereotypes and idiotic thoughts about rap and the people who make it. Having Eminem on this track only proves this point more and makes the feel and sound even better.

5 Dirt Off Your Shoulder

1. Dirt off Your Shoulder
2. Izzo
3. Big Pimpin'
4. Heart of the City
5. DOA
6. Hard Knock Life
7. Dead Presidents II
8. 22 Two's
9. Feelin It
10. Encore
Those are just some of the best in no order. He has tons more good songs. Now I have to keep typing because this thing says that I have not yet reached minimum quality. Now I still have to keep typing. This thing sucks. Now I still have to keep typing. And still I have to keep typing. When will this thing let me submit my response? What is going on here.

The beat on this just get's you moving as soon as the song starts it's pretty amazing. And Jay's lyrics are at the top of his game, no doubt one of his best songs of all time. So much better then Empire State of Mind...

This is such a tune! The beat is so damn sick!
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder!

Old school gotta have the ups over the new stuff. Show some respect guys... Dirt off

6 Hard Knock Life

The most popular Jay-Z song of all time. It solidified his status as a popular artist and put him on the list as one of the greatest emcees of all time.

Talks about Jay-Z's struggle and suggests that he killed Tupac, Etched your name out put jigga on top. One of his most creative songs

Fist Jay-z song w/ meaning to it. He had some successful songs but this is what got him up there. Amazing rap with an even better chorus. Nothing tops this1

It needs to be #1... Amazing one of the best rap songs ever.

7 N***** In Paris

Sick beat indeed, no bad rapping, even though I don't like Kanye a lot and don't feel offended but I think this collaboration album was just made to sell a lot and didn't fulfill my expectations. Jay is a trillion times better than Ye and you can hear that on this track, because he owns it. But it shouldn't be that high, not saying Hov fell off, but there are way better songs on this list to vote for.

The tune is awesome can make you dance right away I think this song should be at least at the top ten! Very mesmerizing tune! And kanye west is good at the song as well started to listen to jay - z only after this song!

My favorite Jay song since the Black Album. Both rappers did amazing surely no one else could have done that well. Amazing verses with a killer beat and a catchy outro - what else could you ask for.

Best songs by jay-z. Not the best songs but should stay in the top five. It goes well with Kayne West. If he wasnt in the songs then it would sound as bad as the song "Lifestyle"! P. S Lifestyle is by Young Thug featuring Rich Homie Quan.

8 D'evils

D'Evils is truly one of the best hip-hop songs of all time. The subject matter, unlike what comment before me said, is about materialism and how money change a person and everything around it. Premo beat, as always, is perfect along with the samples. Jay-Z flow is on point and he makes it look effortless. And the thing that amazed me, the lyrics are one of the best I've heard. Almost all lines have multiple meanings, there's even quadruple-entendre. A lot of biblical reference, which showcase Hova cultural knowledge.

P. S: "Its One of the Best Songs here talks Jay bout Illuminati and he is possessed by Illuminati in the Chorus are Nas and snoop dogg its really cool it helps the song too to Be one of the best"
It's not Nas, it's Prodigy from the duo Mobb Deep.

"We used to fight for building blocks, now we fight for blocks with buildings that make a killin"
"It gets dangerous, money and power be changin us, and now we're lethal infected by d'evils"
The entire song is essentially a quotable. It's a damn shame it's so low in the list.

D'evils! Insane beats and sampling by DJ Premier and a smooth as flow by Hova. Great subject matter of money and corruption as well.

Awesome beat, great lyrics and not to mention it's Jay-Z's favorite song.

9 Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

Man this is a good song. It's probably

1. Run This Town/Izzo (tie)
2. Heart of the City
3. Empire State

This was a great song, so were the following, which most haven't heard of:
-my 1st song
-heart of he city
-moment of clarity
-all I need
-blueprint 2 (the title track)

The beat is so catchy

10 Big Pimpin'

This song featured the best duo in the underground, UGK. They killed this song especially Pimp C with 8 bars. Jay-Z had to record a second verse because he knew UGK killed this song. Not only did this song make NY stop hating the south, but it made Jay- Z accepted in the south. This is history in the making because everybody hated the south. And shout out to Timbaland for making a catchy beat, sampling an old Egyptian song.

R.I.P. Pimp C
UGK 4 life
And thank you Jay-Z for collaborating with UGK

Still going 20 years strong, we be Big Pimpin 4 life!

I think best jay z tune go like this. All his old school tunes are better.

1. Big Pimpin'
2. Dirty off your shoulder
3. 99 problems
4. Hard knock life
= 5. Izzo
= 5. Encore

Big pimpin' is what you want on a hot day with a fat spliff.

You guys who put dirt off your shoulder are stuupid! put this one at number one! You hear me out there! I hope you see this who voted Dirt Off your Shoulder above big Pimpin! that's like the worst decision for a jay z fan to do you hear me

BIG PIMPIN. This should be #1 because this one has flow which 99 problems/dirt off your shoulder doesn't.

The Contenders
11 Run This Town

So when 3 of the greatest all time artists as named by billboard come to make a song it should make it to the top 10.

Oh sorry I can't find Run this town because it isn't in the top 10.

I know this is not as good as his old, but it is so hard.

One of his best songs easily, should be much higher.

12 Numb / Encore

Numb encore is really great! I think this song is the best rap song ever, I love that! Linkin park is playing good, eminem, jay-z, dr. Dre is almost amazing song! I think this song must be first best songs

Amazing song!
The best collaboration of two songs I have ever heard! Jay-z was just fabulous and Linkin Park enhanced the song
Love numb/encore!

I guess this is one reason why Jay z got famous? He is one of the few famous rappers to rap into the rock/Alternate rock culture.

What a combination! Encore and Numb both are great. And when they came together... Is there anything more to say?

13 Takeover

The only diss song against Nas that is worth listening to.

Only verse 3 on takeover is better than all of ether.ether is overrated it was just some school insaults like "fat lip" come on man but takeover had many great facts and facts hurts more than insaults

A true rival to ether.

Ether vs Takeover, which do you think is better?

Brilliantly constructed diss track.

14 Brooklyn's Finest

Many people don't know this song even exists, but it is a seriously good collaboration between Jay-Z and his idol. It was off his first album when Biggie was still alive, and it's one of the best lost tracks out there, I highly recommend giving it a listen.

How is this not number one? Jay and Biggie going back and forth on Reasonable Doubt like that was just incredible. The lyrical content was incredible not to mention it actually has a great beat too. I can't believe that Empire State of Mind is #2 ahead of this

His best song off of his best album. Featuring one of the best rap-legends ever. This should be so much higher on this list, it's insane.

Genius lyrics. Its all natural Jay-Z about his past. The beat in the song is fab too. Peeps need to listen to his older stuff more!

15 Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)

WHAT! You people are nuts. N's in Paris 20 spots ahead of this? Probably the most beautiful, upbeat but at the same time mellow beat ever. Great sample by Kanye, great lyrics by Jay. I listened to this song for hours on end as my niece was being born. It's just... The best. The only one Id maybe put above it is Dead Presidents.

Everything from the lyrics to the instruments is dope.. Gotta really feel music for this one! Out of all 10 this is my #1 then Renegade!

Great rhythm with amazing rapping. Why is this #13?

Common people it's a classic, 99 problems gets number 2, then like hard knock life, dirt off your shoulder and run this town

16 Where I'm From

Jay Z has many different types of songs, but he is arguably at his best when he reflects on his past life. In this song he does just that with stunning ability. Not a single line in this song is filler. " I'm from where the church is the flakiest, and people have been praying to god so long that they atheist. "

Jay-Z has the artistic ability to create many types of songs. But in this song he refers to his past life with such tremendous truth and skill I cannot say that any other song beats it.

P.S. do not vote unless you've listened to his older songs.

Just a bad ass song yo.

Great beat & lyrics!

17 Young Forever

I'm not a huge fan of this album, but this songs brings people back to a time in their life when they didn't worry about finances, drama, or the troubles to come, but rather on enjoying the moment. The song put into perspective the shortness of life and how we enjoy it before it's over. Jay-Z doesn't have much flow but the remix is enough to draw me in

IN my opinion this is best emotional song of Jay-Z till now. When ever I hear this song it makes me cry. You should do your hands up for this song

In my opinion, along with Song Cry this is one of Jay Z's most emotional songs. Sick verses and chorus from mr hudson. One of the best reflective rap songs

I love this song, makes me feel really reminiscent and happy. Always makes me raise my hands!

18 On to the Next One

"Don't be mad at me but I'm on to the next one!"

I listen to this song when I workout it really pumps me up

How is this so low? The world is crazy.

19 Otis

People out there are you crazy this song has won a grammy and you aren't voting for this? Man it should be at no# 1 it has won a grammy vote for it or you are not human beings!

This song so so underrated! This is song is excellent. How could this song be here. Come on guys! Wake uP!

Agreed, underrated. Amazing song, amazing clip. No. 1 for me!

I guess I got mah swagger back... Jay+ ye... Legendary song with otis reeding's vocals

20 Can't Knock the Hustle

Way to much of his new music is at the top of the list. People need to go back and listen to Reasonable doubt and The Blueprint

Really? This is jay's top song from his best album and it's 51.

29? What's wrong with you?

21 Can I Get A...

This song is just Amazing. From start to end you just wanna keep moving. This song is definitely one of my favorites now. With 99 Problems, and Dirt off your shoulder.

In my opinion the best Jay-Z song.

22 Can I Live

This song symbolizes Jay-Z's most lyrically competent album, Reasonable Doubt. Reasonable Doubt is arguably the best hip hop album of all time. Can I live captures the themes of this album.

No doubt his best song, listened to it everyday for like 2 months and still enjoy it. It shows the hustler with class that jay-z is.

Best song off jay's best album. The verses are possibly the best in hip hop and the beat is addicting.

Such an awesome vibe

23 I Just Wanna Love U
24 Lost One

This song is so REAL, just JAY speaking from the heart. You can't beat it.

25 The Story of O.J.

It's well animated since it perfectly resembles how dark-skinned people look like in the old cartoons.

Better than the whole of 'Damn', should have won the Grammy. Proves HOV is a GOAT, 20 years plus of dope music. Deserves top 20 at least.

This is one of the songs from Jay-Z I've listened to. I thought it was good.

Light, dark, faux, real, rich, poor, house, field.

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