Jay-Z

Considered one of the best lyricists to emerge in the wake of the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac's deaths, Jay-Z has since carried the flag of hip-hop narrative skill. His Roc-A-Fella family had already created a solid reputation based on Jay-Z's 1997 debut. An undeniably strong lyricist, he paints scenarios steeped in the real-life experiences of his Brooklyn upbringing. As his fame has grown, so has his tendency to bring more R&B production elements into his work-- creating a club-friendly, danceable version of east coast gangsta hip-hop--yet his reputation as a preeminent force in rap has remained unquestioned. Although Jigga stated he was retiring in 2004, the hiatus was brief as he released the album KINGDOM COME a mere two years later.

• rock
• pop
• east coast
• r&b/soul
• hip hop/rap
• 1990s
• 2000s