The Most Popular Jay-Z Song, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the song you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 11, 2024 06:42
Fans of Jay-Z often debate which of his songs stands out as the most iconic. Such discussions can span from lyrical prowess to catchiest beats, reflecting the diverse appeal of his music catalog. A ranking system gathers collective insights and displays a clear picture based on a wide range of listener preferences.
Engaging in this voting process not only allows you to see how your preferences stack up against others but also directs new listeners towards what the majority considers the best of his works. This dynamic list adjusts with each vote cast, ensuring it always mirrors current fan sentiments.
What Is the Most Popular Jay-Z Song?
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144votes
Empire State of Mind
Jay-ZThis song is undeniably Jay-Z's most popular song, as it spent five weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and has become an anthem for New York City.Empire State of Mind is a popular hip-hop song performed by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys. It was released in 2009 as part of Jay-Z's 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3. The song pays homage to New York City and has become an iconic anthem for the city. It combines elements of rap and soul, with powerful lyrics and a catchy chorus. Empire State of Mind went on to top the charts around the world and has received critical acclaim for its lyrical content and infectious melody.- Album: The Blueprint 3
- Release Year: 2009
- Featuring: Alicia Keys
- Genre: Hip-hop
- Length: 4:37
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216votes
99 Problems
Jay-ZThis song is often cited as one of Jay-Z's best and most popular songs, with its catchy chorus and iconic guitar riff.99 Problems is a popular rap song by Jay-Z, released in 2003 as a single from his album 'The Black Album'. The song's lyrics revolve around various issues Jay-Z has faced in his personal life and the music industry.- Album: The Black Album
- Release Year: 2003
- Genre: Rap
- Length: 3:55
- Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
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312votesThis song was a breakout hit for Jay-Z, and its catchy chorus and sample from the musical "Annie" made it a fan favorite.Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) is a popular Jay-Z song released in 1998 as the third single from his third studio album, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. The song samples the chorus from the song 'Hard Knock Life' from the 1977 musical Annie, giving it a hip-hop twist. With its catchy hook and clever lyrics, it became one of Jay-Z's most successful and well-known songs.
- Release year: 1998
- Genre: Hip-hop
- Duration: 4 minutes and 2 seconds
- Album: Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
- Sampled song: 'Hard Knock Life' from Annie
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420votes
Big Pimpin'
Jay-ZThis song is a classic Jay-Z track, with its infectious beat and memorable chorus.Big Pimpin' is a popular hip-hop song by Jay-Z featuring UGK. It was released as a single in 1999 and later included in Jay-Z's fourth studio album, 'Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter'. The track was produced by Timbaland and it showcases Jay-Z's swagger and lyrical prowess over a catchy and sample-heavy beat.- Release Date: 1999
- Album: Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter
- Featured Artist: UGK
- Producer: Timbaland
- Genre: Hip-hop
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515votesThis song features one of Jay-Z's most iconic lines ("If you feelin' like a pimp, nigga, go and brush your shoulders off"), and its catchy hook has made it a fan favorite.
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611votes
Run This Town
Jay-ZThis song features Jay-Z alongside Rihanna and Kanye West, and its driving beat and catchy chorus make it a standout track.Run This Town is a popular song by Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West. It was released in 2009 as part of Jay-Z's album 'The Blueprint 3'. The song has an energetic and catchy hip-hop sound, combining rap verses from Jay-Z and Kanye West with a powerful chorus by Rihanna. The lyrics talk about success, power, and the ability to dominate in the music industry. 'Run This Town' became a major hit, reaching high positions on music charts worldwide and receiving critical acclaim for its production and collaborations.- Release Year: 2009
- Album: The Blueprint 3
- Featured Artists: Rihanna, Kanye West
- Genre: Hip-hop
- Length: 4:22
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77votes
Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
Jay-ZThis song is a classic Jay-Z track, with its infectious beat and catchy chorus.Izzo (H.O.V.A.) is a popular song by Jay-Z from his sixth studio album 'The Blueprint'. It was released in 2001 and became one of his most successful singles. The song features a catchy sample from 'I Want You Back' by The Jackson 5 and showcases Jay-Z's lyrical prowess and confident delivery.- Album: The Blueprint
- Year Released: 2001
- Genre: Hip-Hop
- Sampled Song: I Want You Back
- Sampled Artist: The Jackson 5
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87votesThis song features Jay-Z alongside Linkin Park, and its mashup of their respective hits "Numb" and "Encore" has become a fan favorite.Numb/Encore is a collaborative song between American rapper Jay-Z and rock band Linkin Park. It was released as a single in 2004 and is a mashup of Jay-Z's 'Encore' from his album 'The Black Album' and Linkin Park's 'Numb' from their album 'Meteora'. The song incorporates elements of rap and alternative rock, creating a unique blend of genres. It received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, reaching high positions on various music charts worldwide.
- Release date: 2004
- Genre: Rap, alternative rock
- Album: 'Collision Course' (EP)
- Length: 3:25
- Label: Roc-A-Fella, Warner Bros.
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97votes
Can't Knock the Hustle
Jay-ZThis song is one of Jay-Z's earliest hits, and its smooth beat and catchy chorus have made it a classic.Can't Knock the Hustle is a popular song by Jay-Z, released in 1996 as the lead single from his debut album 'Reasonable Doubt'. It features a collaboration with Mary J. Blige and was produced by Knobody and Sean C. The song explores themes of ambition, street life, and the challenges faced by artists trying to succeed in the music industry.- Release Date: 1996
- Album: Reasonable Doubt
- Featured Artist: Mary J. Blige
- Producers: Knobody, Sean C
- Genre: Hip-hop
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105votesThis song is a standout track from Jay-Z's "The Black Album," and its catchy chorus and memorable beat have made it a fan favorite.
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular song
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Chart performanceAnalyze how the song performed on music charts, such as the Billboard Hot 100, as a measure of its success and popularity.
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Sales and streamsLook at the number of digital downloads and physical copies sold, as well as the number of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube.
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Radio airplayConsider the frequency with which the song was played on radio stations, as this can indicate its widespread popularity.
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Cultural impactReflect on whether the song has made a significant impact on popular culture, such as being featured in movies, TV shows, commercials, or covered by other artists.
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Awards and accoladesAssess if the song has received any awards, nominations, or other recognition from the music industry, such as Grammy Awards or MTV Video Music Awards.
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Critical receptionExamine reviews and ratings from music critics and publications to gauge how the song was received by the industry.
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Fan receptionObserve how listeners and fans reacted to the song, through comments, social media engagement, or anecdotal evidence of its popularity.
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LongevityConsider the staying power of the song and its ability to remain popular over time. A song that continues to be played and discussed years after its release may be considered more popular than a short-lived hit.
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CollaborationsTake note of any collaborations with other artists or producers, which may have contributed to a song's popularity.
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Song's message and relevanceAnalyze the content and message of the song, and how it relates to the cultural and societal context in which it was released. Songs that resonate with listeners on a deeper level may be more popular.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Jay-Z song. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or song is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1256 views
- 139 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each song once every 24 hours. The rank of each song is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular jay-z song
Jay-Z is one of the most successful and influential rappers of all time. With a career spanning over two decades, he has released numerous hit songs and albums that have helped shape the hip-hop landscape. From his early days as a member of the rap group "Roc-A-Fella Records" to his current status as a billionaire businessman, Jay-Z's impact on the music industry cannot be overstated.
When it comes to his music, fans have their favorites. From his debut album "Reasonable Doubt" to his latest release "4:44," Jay-Z has delivered chart-topping hits that have become anthems for hip-hop lovers worldwide. But which of his songs is the most popular? That's a question that has sparked debate among fans for years. In this poll, we'll find out which Jay-Z song reigns supreme as the ultimate fan favorite. So, get ready to cast your vote and see if your pick matches up with the rest of the hip-hop community.
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