# The 14 Best Jay-Z Songs of All Time

> Gritty street classics, chart-conquering anthems and late-career statements that trace the rise of a hip-hop empire. Which one reigns?

*By YPB Team · Published June 28, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-14-best-jay-z-songs-of-all-time*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Izzo (H.O.V.A.)** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Kanye West-produced Jackson 5-sampling hit that announced a new era for both artists.
2. **99 Problems** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 960/1000)
   Rick Rubin-produced rock-rap anthem and one of the most recognizable songs in hip-hop.
3. **Song Cry** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 731/1000)
   Emotional Blueprint ballad praised as one of his most heartfelt records.
4. **Takeover** — 0% (0 votes · score 705/1000)
   Ferocious diss track from The Blueprint that defined a legendary rap rivalry.
5. **Holy Grail** — 0% (0 votes · score 548/1000)
   Magna Carta Holy Grail single featuring Justin Timberlake.
6. **The Story of O.J.** — 0% (0 votes · score 548/1000)
   Acclaimed 4:44 single tackling race and wealth, widely praised as late-career brilliance.
7. **Big Pimpin'** — 0% (0 votes · score 448/1000)
   Lavish UGK collaboration with a Timbaland beat that became a summer anthem.
8. **Public Service Announcement** — 0% (0 votes · score 448/1000)
   Swaggering Black Album interlude with one of his most quoted opening lines.
9. **Otis** — 0% (0 votes · score 329/1000)
   Soul-sampling Watch the Throne romp with Kanye West built on Otis Redding.
10. **Run This Town** — 0% (0 votes · score 329/1000)
   Grammy-winning powerhouse with Rihanna and Kanye West.
11. **Dead Presidents II** — 0% (0 votes · score 329/1000)
   Classic Reasonable Doubt cut frequently named among his very best by fans.
12. **Empire State of Mind** — 0% (0 votes · score 183/1000)
   His chart-topping ode to New York featuring Alicia Keys, his first No. 1 as a lead artist.
13. **Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)** — 0% (0 votes · score 183/1000)
   Breakthrough hit built on an Annie show tune sample that turned Jay-Z into a superstar.
14. **03 Bonnie & Clyde** — 0% (0 votes · score 183/1000)
   Hit duet with Beyonce that launched one of music's most famous partnerships.

Tags: 2000s, hip-hop, music, jay-z