On this day 20 years ago, Jay Z releases The Black Album

[Street Knowledge]

The Black Album (Jay-Z album) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

It featured an all star list on producers including Just Blaze, Kanye West, Timbaland, The Neptunes, 9th Wonder, DJ Quik, and Rick Rubin. Pharell on change clothes is the guest on this album and there are no rap features. TBA did 463,000 the first week(did 288,000 in week 3) and ended up being certified 4 times platinum and was critically acclaimed. It’s now frequently listed on greatest albums of the 00’s and all time lists

 

[Street Knowledge]

 

[Whips-n-Chains]

...solid album

 

[Champion]

I'm from the murder capital, where we murder for capital..

 

[2ATMsYouSteppinOrWhat]

my views have changed on this album
overall its a good album but the production is just ok considering the producer list and some songs are just eh. 8/10 and maybe a top 5 hov album

 

[I love Latina women]

Album was an event when it was released

Being in clubs and hearing them drop PSA and everybody quoting it line for line

 

[JustCKing]

Still remember the first time hearing this.

1. Interlude- still crazy that he didn't rap over this beat

2. December 4th- dope

3. What More Can I Say- dope

4. Encore- Classic

5. Change Clothes- WACK. I was a huge Neptunes fan at the time, but this was mid.

6. Dirt Off Your Shoulders- Classic

7. Threats- Crazy song. Love the sample flip

8. Moment of Clarity- Jay was spittin', but it is held back by the beat.

9. 99 Problems- I liked this song when the album dropped, but it got overrated as time passed. Don't like this as much now.

10. PSA- Classic

11. Justify My Thug- always thought this was weak.

12. Lucifer- loved this song, but don't really dig this as much anymore even though I think this is one of Jay's best performances on the album

13. Allure- Classic

14. My First Song- dope

 

[Braman]

20 years? Man I remember exactly where I was. Vividly. It was a moment in time. Geez man, time flies

 

[DontEemTry]

I got dreams of holding a nine milla to Bob's killer
Asking him "why?" as my eyes fill up
These days I can't wake up with a dry pillow
Gone but not forgotten, homes I still feel ya
So, curse the day that birthed the b*stard
Who caused your church mass, reverse the crash
Reverse the blast then reverse the car
Reverse the day and there you are

 

[Metal Face]

the last good Jay album

 

[qnsfinest]

Classic fukkin album. Top 5 jay album

Hated change clothes and justify my thug.

 

[jshani]

the last good Jay album

American Gangster

 

[African Peasant]

Good album, with a blockbuster vibe.

 

[Lucky_Lefty]

Was living in Germany when this dropped. shyt was everywhere. Good times. Now, I can only stomach a few songs off of their but still my 3rd favorite project of his.

 

[Awesome Wells]

Classic album. Top 5 in his catalogue.

Everyone went crazy when this one dropped. Globally. I had people everywhere who were calling and talking about which tracks were their favorite. Really dope era for Roc as a label and another staple project for Jay.