The Black Album
by Jay-Z
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Nov 14, 2003
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 239 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 224 out of 239
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 239
  3. Negative: 12 out of 239

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  1. Mercha12
    May 11, 2021
    10
    Brilliant album. He was really ahead of his time with this one. Jay z is the Goat of rap.
  2. clem666
    Mar 20, 2021
    8
    Impressive cocktail of iconic tracks. Jay-Z is surely not the best lyricist, storyteller nor rhymer but he clearly is hell of an entertainer. Production featuring Eminem, Kanye West and Just Blaze is not perfect but catchy and dark as it used some clever samples. The presence of The Neptunes (and by extension of Pharrell Williams) makes the artistic direction change and definitelyImpressive cocktail of iconic tracks. Jay-Z is surely not the best lyricist, storyteller nor rhymer but he clearly is hell of an entertainer. Production featuring Eminem, Kanye West and Just Blaze is not perfect but catchy and dark as it used some clever samples. The presence of The Neptunes (and by extension of Pharrell Williams) makes the artistic direction change and definitely contributes to give more variety to the album.

    Jay-Z made this project a classic with some clever, gangsta-like and funny lines even if some others sound way too ego-centered. His flow is inseparable of the beat and always perfeclty fits the rhythm. 'The Black Album' certainly helped to give Jay-Z the charismatic image he has today.    … Expand
  3. A_Normal_Bush
    Mar 10, 2020
    10
    A few months ago, I decided to finally listen to Jay-Z's discography. The Black Album was his last album that I listened to. All albums I listened to before this one was just fine in my opinion. I thought a few songs were good, but most songs all of the albums were bad to okay.
    Then, I listened to The Black Album and loved almost every song. In all of his other albums, the low points    A few months ago, I decided to finally listen to Jay-Z's discography. The Black Album was his last album that I listened to. All albums I listened to before this one was just fine in my opinion. I thought a few songs were good, but most songs all of the albums were bad to okay.
    Then, I listened to The Black Album and loved almost every song. In all of his other albums, the low points were very low, but in this album the low points were the high points in the other albums.
    This album even made me go back to his other albums and realize that the albums were better than I first thought.
    The Black Album is one of my favorite albums and even made me appreciate and like all of Jay-Z's other albums, which I previously thought were just alright.    … Expand
  4. drepoo
    Feb 23, 2020
    9
    Awesome project, the beats and the lyrics are REALLY good. Great improvement from The Blueprint 2, which was disappointing
  5. brashadcarr23
    Nov 10, 2018
    9
    classic. nufff said..............................................................................
  6. FruitJuice
    Jul 28, 2017
    8
    classic............................................................................................................................................................
  7. gersg
    Jul 14, 2017
    9
    Jay Z is one of the greatest rappers of all time, and I believe this is his most meaningful work since Reasonable Doubt. Mostly all of the songs in The Black Album are some of Jay Z's classics.
  8. Ricko
    Aug 2, 2016
    8
    Jay Z's masterpiece and arguably the best hip hop album of the first decade of the 21st century. Mixing razor sharp lyrics with an armory of top class tunes to back things up, this is one of those records that transcends genres and I would think has an appeal to music lovers in general, regardless of preference. While hip hop can sometimes date badly due to either production or lyricalJay Z's masterpiece and arguably the best hip hop album of the first decade of the 21st century. Mixing razor sharp lyrics with an armory of top class tunes to back things up, this is one of those records that transcends genres and I would think has an appeal to music lovers in general, regardless of preference. While hip hop can sometimes date badly due to either production or lyrical content too focused on the immediate present, pretty much all of The Black Album sounds fresh and vibrant today. "Dirt Off Your Shoulder", "Moment of Clarity" and "Lucifer" are all instant classics of the genre. Then of course we have the culturally and hugely socially significant track "99 Problems". While we're on this particular track, check out Danger Mouse's remix with The Beatles "Helter Skelter" - equally as good as either of the original songs. Brave and brilliant, pushing the boundaries while being universally appealing, I've yet to come across a better or more enjoyable album from this genre.… Expand
  9. zeen
    Feb 17, 2016
    9
    This is a good album ꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸This is a good album ꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸꠸
  10. lisiak
    Jan 9, 2016
    8
    'The Black Album' by Jay-Z is a classical position in his discography. I really like this album. 'Public service announcent', 'Moment of Clarity', '99 problems' the best tracks!
  11. Urbanlistener
    Apr 24, 2015
    10
    With great writing, domination on the mic and Timbo's awesome beats, The black album deserves a spot on Jay's top 3 best albums, along with The blueprint and Reasonable doubt.
  12. keve16
    Mar 22, 2015
    8
    8.5/10................................................................................................................................................
  13. Recordmania
    Sep 11, 2013
    9
    Once again, Jay-Z showed us that he's one of the greatest rappers alive. After "Reasonable Doubt" and "The Blueprint", comes a stunning album called "The Black Album". We seen him ruling the charts with "Dirt
    Off Your Shoulder" and "99 Problems" but you will see way much amazing songs in this masterpiece.
  14. axelkoch
    Jul 27, 2013
    9
    Jay-Z's career wasn't in its early years anymore by the time this album was released, but nevertheless, his flow sounded fresher than ever on this legendary 2003 CD. Carter's music was very unsteady in the seven years and on the seven albums before this one and even if he proved to be a very talented rapper on some parts of his earlier albums, the average product was mostly forgettableJay-Z's career wasn't in its early years anymore by the time this album was released, but nevertheless, his flow sounded fresher than ever on this legendary 2003 CD. Carter's music was very unsteady in the seven years and on the seven albums before this one and even if he proved to be a very talented rapper on some parts of his earlier albums, the average product was mostly forgettable (his debut, Reasonable Doubt, and 2001's The Blueprint were exemptions). And admittedly, if he had announced his retirement from hip hop on The Blueprint 2, I wouldn't have cared a lot. But leaving the game with this album was something entirely different. The Black Album includes 13 songs on which Carter is actually rapping and, no kidding, everyone of them is great. They are pun-heavy, perfectly flowed, catchy, and underlayed with fantastic beats. And above all: the songs have a real meaning, which is something that isn't necessary for this genre, but undoubtedly makes every song better. In short, Jay-Z combines everything good about his music on one album.… Expand
  15. Sergio2008
    Mar 20, 2013
    9
    The Black album is Jay Z's 3rd best album. Plain & simple. It isn't a great as his debut "Reasonable Doubt" or his 2001 critically acclaimed "The Blueprint", but "The Black Album" is without a doubt a classic. Jay takes us on a trip down memory lane and takes us all the way to his retirement. With great production and Jay spitting some of his best stuff, this album cements Jay Z as one ofThe Black album is Jay Z's 3rd best album. Plain & simple. It isn't a great as his debut "Reasonable Doubt" or his 2001 critically acclaimed "The Blueprint", but "The Black Album" is without a doubt a classic. Jay takes us on a trip down memory lane and takes us all the way to his retirement. With great production and Jay spitting some of his best stuff, this album cements Jay Z as one of the all time greatest emcees.… Expand
  16. Zegilgamesh
    Jan 7, 2012
    9
    Jay-Zâ
  17. Mcritic19
    Aug 22, 2011
    10
    This album is amazing. This is still my favorite rap album to date and is one of the best I've ever heard. Jay Z was trying to retire with a bang and he did just that. This is Jay Z's best album. The production was amazing, the lyrics were on point and we heard every jay Z. Classic and new.
  18. lovemusic
    May 12, 2011
    8
    not that bad. i liked more than 6 songs on this album. it was decent. it was commercial though. but it kept my attention. 8 out of 10 is about right.
  19. RodrigoR.
    Apr 9, 2008
    10
    Jay-Z's best album, one of the best albums ever made, it's real hip-hop, it's black music! 99 problems, dirt off your shoulder best songs from album!
  20. Lucky
    Nov 7, 2007
    10
    This album is hot shit!
  21. DanA
    Jun 24, 2007
    9
    A wonderful coup de grace for Jay'z "retirement." It really is a shame he went and made Kingdom Come. This would've finished the legacy off fine.
  22. Gill
    Apr 21, 2007
    9
    Not his best album but still pretty damn amazing. Considering where he is in his career.
  23. BrannonM
    Apr 6, 2007
    8
    High Quality shit
  24. RobertC
    Feb 21, 2006
    9
    He goes through his whole career perfect send off
  25. PHATPCHIPI
    May 18, 2005
    8
    yo the beats destroyed the album and i expected a lot more than 14 tracks but the lyrics were off the hook i just hope he'll cme out of retirement and hit us with one more.
  26. mikep
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    another masterpiece by Jay.
  27. makaveli
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    Jay's pinpoint lyricism and crafty wordplay surpass that of any of his previous cd's. "Justify My Thug" and "Change Clothes..." keep it from ranking ahead of Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt, but even those are above average tracks.
  28. youngone
    Oct 3, 2004
    8
    jigga got soft take him back to resonable doubt time he rhymes changed around vol 3 more resonable doubt
  29. zack
    Aug 4, 2004
    10
    i like the cd the best
  30. DaniG
    Jun 24, 2004
    10
    very best jigga album up to date! hope and pray it's not really his last one. hip hop needs Jay-Z.. "If you can't respect that, your whole perspective is whack"
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Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Album of 2003
19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2003
17
#17 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Vibe
    90
    It's monumental because it's a culmination of Jigga's natural thoughtfulness delivered with transcendent skill. [Jan 2004, p.120]
  2. Launch.com
    90
    There are better storytellers, there are better battle rappers, there are undoubtedly rhymers with more on their minds. But there isn't a better MC around, if you're talking about the art of sheer mic domination.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    80
    Even in falling short of Jay's classics, Reasonable Doubt and 2001's The Blueprint, it manages to eclipse 1999's brilliant Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter as his third-best album-- which in itself still makes it one of the year's best.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »