9781422276235

Izzo (H.O.V.A.) was the first single, released on August 21, 2001, and the lyrics explore Jay-Z’s past in the Marcy Projects and his struggles in the recording industry. Collaborations Renegade, featuring Eminem T he B lueprint 2: T he G ift & T he C urse (Released November 12, 2002) This album featured the single 03 Bonnie & Clyde , a collaboration with Jay-Z’s then girlfriend, Beyoncé. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 Chart and sold 545,000 copies in the first week. By 2012, it had sold over 2 million copies and has since been certified triple Platinum by the RIAA. The lead single, 03 Bonnie & Clyde, was released on October 10, 2002, and was certified Gold by the RIAA. Collaborations A Dream, featuring Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. The Watcher 2 , featuring Dr. Dre, Rakim, and Truth Hurts What They Gonna Do, featuring Sean Paul All around the World , featuring LaToiya Williams

Poppin’ Tags, featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike, and Twista The Bounce, featuring Kanye West Guns & Roses , featuring Lenny Kravitz U Don’t Know (Remix), featuring M.O.P. Some How Some Way, featuring Beanie Sigel and Scarface Nigga Please, featuring Young Chris As One, featuring Memphis Bleek, Freeway, Young Gunz, Peedi Crakk, Sparks, and Rell T he B lack A lbum (Released November 14, 2003) This release was promoted as Jay-Z’s last album before his retirement from the music business, although he returned in 2006. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and sold 463,000 copies in its first week in the United States alone. T he B lack A lbum became Jay-Z’s top-selling record of the 2000– 2010 decade. Billboard ranked it as the 136th highest-selling album of the decade in the United States. The second single on the album, Dirt off Your Shoulder, was released March 02, 2004. It was referenced four years later by presidential candidate Barack Obama during a debate with his opponent, Hillary Clinton. The album was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.

Watch the video for Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

Watch the video for 03 Bonnie and Clyde

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JAY-Z