Source: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty
In January, JAY-Z will be honored with the 2018 GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons award for his contributions to the music industry. In celebration of this long overdue honor, let’s take a look at some of JAY-Z’s most iconic tracks.
In no particular order:
JAY-Z – “Song Cry”
You can’t make a list of iconic JAY-Z songs without including “Song Cry.” For many, this is the first time we’ve heard JAY-Z truly bear his soul on wax. He made it cool for guys to be vulnerable. Props to Jigga Man!
Hit the jump to see what other songs made the list!
JAY-Z – “Allure”
This classic track from “The Black Album” is the epitome of iconic. Plus, you can’t go wrong with Pharrell on the beat.
JAY-Z – “4:44”
Who knew such a new song would already be considered one of JAY’s most iconic tracks? The 4:44 album is full of iconic goodness but “4:44”, where he admits his faults in his relationship with Beyonce, is where we really see how grown up JAY is. It humanizes the emcee we’ve always looked at as a rap god.
JAY-Z – “Hardknock Life”
“Hardknock Life” may not have deep, but it was definitely the song that solidified to the mainstream media that JAY-Z was here to stay. It was that fateful day in 1998 when Shawn Carter was introduced to an entirely different market and officially became a household name.
JAY-Z – “99 Problems”
Who would have thought that 14 years later, “99 Problems” would be more relevant than it ever was? This is one JAY-Z song that transcends generations and will continue to do so for a very long time.
JAY-Z – “Can’t Knock The Hustle”
JAY-Z and Mary J. Blige on one track, what’s more iconic than that?
JAY-Z – “Public Service Announcement”
When it comes to iconic tracks by Shawn Carter, “PSA” is at the top of the list. This song will always ring out at every house party or club. No matter where you are or who you’re around, you WILL sing along the moment you hear, “Allow me to reintroduce myself…”
JAY-Z – “What More Can I Say”
For a true fan of JAY-Z, “What More Can I Say” will always be one of his most iconic songs ever. The wordplay is unmatched, proving without a doubt that JAY-Z’s pen game is absolutely crazy.
JAY-Z – “The Story of O.J.”
Here’s another iconic track off 4:44. “The Story of O.J.” wasn’t nearly as subtle as we are used to most iconic JAY-Z songs being. It was straight to the point. It wasn’t as much a song as it was JAY-Z, as an “elder,” lecturing the younger generation. In one song, JAY-Z gave financial advice, opened our eyes to how society sees us and offered suggestions as to how to get better. “The Story of O.J.” will live forever.
JAY-Z – “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It To Me)”
Iconic songs don’t always have to be deep and thought-provoking. They can also be impactful. For JAY-Z, one of his most impactful tracks is the Pharrell-assisted “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It To Me).” No matter if you’re Black, White or Other, this song is loved by everyone. At nearly two decades old, it still sets a party off like it came out yesterday. It transcended beyond hip-hop listeners to become a JAY-Z song even pop and Top 40 listeners could thorougly enjoy.
