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The Black Album Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 239 Ratings

  • Summary: The hugely successful Brooklyn rapper worked with an A-list of producers (including Just Blaze, Kanye West, Aqua, Eminem, Rick Rubin and The Neptunes) on what he has stated will be the final release of his career. (Sure it will.)

Top Track

99 Problems
If you're having girl problems I feel bad for you son I got ninety nine problems but a bitch ain't one I got the rap patrol on the gat patrol Foes... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Mojo
    100
    A magnificent record. [Jan 2004, p.104]
  2. 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.
  3. The Black Album stands up alongside Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint as Z's most ambitious work.
  4. While it probably won't be remembered as his best album, The Black Album is his most personal to date and features some of his most compelling writing.
  5. Q Magazine
    80
    Excellent, although not quite the epoch-defining triumph its hype suggested it might be. [Jan 2004, p.108]
  6. Impresses on the same level as the best of his career.
  7. For all the dark wordplay, the album is an aural equivalent of that old American favourite, the schmaltzy biopic.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 65
  2. Negative: 2 out of 65
  1. 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 aThis 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. Expand
  2. JasonC
    Feb 16, 2004
    10
    Hands down best ever! Those who think its wack don't even listen carefully to the track. Hov is the realest shit there is. Thats why Hands down best ever! Those who think its wack don't even listen carefully to the track. Hov is the realest shit there is. Thats why most people give it a good rating. Expand
  3. zack
    Aug 4, 2004
    10
    i like the cd the best
  4. RobertC
    Feb 21, 2006
    9
    He goes through his whole career perfect send off
  5. 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 theJay 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. Expand
  6. 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.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 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
  7. TonyG
    Nov 24, 2003
    0
    The "whack" Album.

See all 65 User Reviews