The Black Album - Jay-Z
  • Band Name: Jay-Z
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Nov 14, 2003
The Black Album Image
Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 101 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • 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.)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Mojo
    100
    A magnificent record. [Jan 2004, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. 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.
  3. Neumu.net
    80
    The Black Album is a spectacular farewell if that's what it turns out to be.
  4. Stylus Magazine
    51
    Review 1: The Black Album’s failings fall upon Jay-Z’s shoulders as much as his producers. [Score=64] Review 2: The majority of the beats here are mediocre. [Score=38]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 51
  3. Negative: 2 out of 51
  1. Mcritic19
    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.… Collapse
  2. lovemusic
    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.… Expand
  3. jayzero
    7
    if 2pac was alive, jay-z wouldn't be shit right now...
  4. FuckJay-Z
    0
    Worst fuckin cd i have ever heard.Bad way to go out.What ever happened to the old Jay-Z. His voice just bothers me now.

See all 51 User Reviews

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