17 Best Jay Z Songs: Greatest Bangers for All-Star Playlist

Hey there, aspiring DJ extraordinaires! Are you ready to spin some tracks that’ll have the crowd going wild? Look no further! We’ve got the ultimate playlist of 17 Jay Z bangers that’ll make your audience chant “Hova!” and hail you as the DJ messiah. Get ready to scratch, mix, and blend your way to hip-hop glory!

Here are the best Jay Z songs that you can check out:

List Of Best Jay Z Songs

Best Jay Z songs in a list format:

1. 99 Problems

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: The Black Album (2003)

“99 Problems” is a track where Jay Z masterfully drops witty lines about his seemingly endless list of non-female-related issues. The song does a fantastic job of illustrating that even with 99 problems, Jay Z is still somehow winning at life.

2. Empire State of Mind

Author: Jay Z ft. Alicia Keys<br> Album: The Blueprint 3 (2009)

This Big Apple anthem could make even the grumpiest New Yorker shed a tear of pride. “Empire State of Mind” perfectly showcases Jay Z’s love for his city and how he’s made it in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of.

3. Big Pimpin’

Author: Jay Z ft. UGK<br> Album: Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter (1999)

In “Big Pimpin’,” Jay Z eloquently outlines his playboy lifestyle, proving that money, ladies, and a catchy flute sample are all you need to create an iconic hip-hop banger.

4. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life (1998)

Who knew that sampling a Broadway show tune could result in one of the most memorable tracks in hip-hop history? “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” takes the “Annie” classic and gives it a gritty, street-smart twist that only Jay Z could pull off.

5. Dirt off Your Shoulder

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: The Black Album (2003)

“Dirt off Your Shoulder” is an empowering anthem for anyone who’s ever faced adversity. With a killer beat and a shoulder-brushing hook, Jay Z teaches us all how to rise above the haters.

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

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: The Blueprint (2001)

In “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” Jay Z cleverly weaves a catchy chorus with his own nickname, proving once again that he’s a lyrical genius. The track has a timeless quality that still gets heads nodding decades later.

7. Can I Get A…

Author: Jay Z ft. Amil & Ja Rule<br> Album: Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life (1998)

“Can I Get A…” is a quintessential late ’90s hip-hop track, featuring the unforgettable duo of Jay Z and Ja Rule. The song is an anthem for those who value independence and a little bit of attitude.

8. Run This Town

Author: Jay Z ft. Rihanna & Kanye West<br> Album: The Blueprint 3 (2009)

When Jay Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West team up to “Run This Town,” you know they mean business. This powerhouse collaboration results in a song that’s equal parts catchy and empowering.

9. Song Cry

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: The Blueprint (2001)

“Song Cry” is a rare moment of vulnerability from the usually unshakable Jay Z. With raw emotion and honest lyrics, this track reminds us that even rap moguls have feelings too.

10. Dead Presidents II

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: Reasonable Doubt (1996)

Jay Z’s “Dead Presidents II” explores the pursuit of wealth and power with a smooth, laid-back beat. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to count your Benjamins while nodding along.

11. Girls, Girls, Girls

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: The Blueprint (2001)

Jay Z’s “Girls, Girls, Girls” is a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek track about his appreciation for the fairer sex. It’s like a love letter to women everywhere, with a catchy beat and lyrics that’ll have you chuckling along.

12. D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: The Blueprint 3 (2009)

In “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune),” Jay Z boldly declares war on the overuse of Auto-Tune in the music industry. The song is a scathing critique of a tired trend, proving that Jay Z always knows when it’s time to move on to the next big thing.

13. Renegade

Author: Jay Z ft. Eminem<br> Album: The Blueprint (2001)

“Renegade” is the rap equivalent of a superhero team-up. When Jay Z and Eminem join forces, you know it’s going to be epic. The track features both rappers spitting fire and exchanging verses that’ll leave you speechless.

14. Holy Grail

Author: Jay Z ft. Justin Timberlake<br> Album: Magna Carta… Holy Grail (2013)

“Holy Grail” is a modern masterpiece, with Jay Z and Justin Timberlake harmoniously blending hip-hop and pop. The song explores the price of fame and success, giving listeners a glimpse into the minds of two superstars at the top of their game.

15. The Story of O.J.

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: 4:44 (2017)

In “The Story of O.J.,” Jay Z provides a thought-provoking commentary on race, wealth, and success. The song’s compelling lyrics and haunting visuals serve as a reminder that sometimes, even the most successful among us can’t escape society’s judgments.

16. Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)…

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: American Gangster (2007)

“Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)…” is a celebration of Jay Z’s rise to fame and the friends who joined him on the journey. This feel-good track is like a victory lap for the king of hip-hop, and we’re all invited to the party.

17. The Takeover

Author: Jay Z<br> Album: The Blueprint (2001)

Jay Z’s “The Takeover” is a legendary diss track that proves why he’s the undisputed king of rap beefs. With scathing lyrics and a heavy-hitting beat, this song serves as a reminder to never, ever mess with Hov.

Fun Facts: Best Jay Z Songs

Fun Fact: 99 Problems

Did you know that Jay Z’s “99 Problems” music video was directed by none other than Mark Romanek, the same genius behind iconic videos like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” and Michael Jackson’s “Scream”? No wonder it’s so visually stunning!

Fun Fact: Empire State of Mind

Fun fact: “Empire State of Mind” became the first Jay Z song to ever reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Looks like the King of New York has a crown made of chart-topping hits!

Fun Fact: Big Pimpin’

“Big Pimpin'” features a Middle Eastern-inspired beat that samples the Egyptian song “Khosara Khosara” by Abdel Halim Hafez. Who knew that international flair would result in one of the most memorable tracks in hip-hop history?

Fun Fact: Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)

You might think that getting permission to sample “It’s the Hard Knock Life” from the musical “Annie” was a piece of cake, but it actually took some convincing. Jay Z had to write a letter to the song’s copyright holders explaining his vision for the track. Talk about dedication!

Fun Fact: D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)

Jay Z’s “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” was so impactful that it even made T-Pain, one of the most famous users of Auto-Tune, admit that the song was “the death of [his] career.” Now that’s what we call a powerful statement!

And there you have it, future DJ legends! With these 17 Jay Z masterpieces under your belt, you’re ready to conquer the world of turntables and bass drops. So go ahead, unleash your inner Hov, and show ’em who’s boss. Just remember, when you’re spinning these jams and the crowd is going wild, it’s all thanks to the lyrical genius of Jay Z himself. Happy spinning!

Thanks for reading.

TBone