Jay-Z Popular Songs Ranking [2025]

Empire State of MindJay Z22rank/position

[With Japanese Subtitles] [LIVE] [Japanese Translation] Jay-Z / Empire State of Mind (Prod. WhatQ)

The king of the hip-hop world—calling him that wouldn’t be an exaggeration—is Jay-Z.

Since stepping into the spotlight in the ’90s, he has reigned at the top of the music industry.

His achievements are widely recognized; at the UK’s storied rock festival Glastonbury, he became the first hip-hop artist ever to headline.

By the way, his wife is none other than Beyoncé.

Hard knock life (Ghetto Anthem)Jay Z23rank/position

Jay Z Hard knock life (Official Video) HD

A track that sings about how he overcame life in the ghetto and achieved great success.

One of Jay-Z’s most famous songs, it was released in 1998 and samples Andrea McArdle’s 1977 track “It’s the Hard-Knock Life.”

Numb / EncoreJay Z & LINKIN PARK24rank/position

Numb/Encore – Linkin Park ft. Jay Z (Unofficial Music Video)

The legendary band Linkin Park and the world’s most high-profile rapper Jay-Z teamed up for the collaboration “Numb / Encore.” Linkin Park’s rock and Jay-Z’s rap are matched in a perfectly balanced way.

It showcases the best of both worlds, making it perfect for intense hard work.

Empre State Of MindJay Z feat Alicia Keys25rank/position

Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (Live from iTunes Festival, London, 2012)

Beloved around the world as an anthem dedicated to New York, this song is notable for its grand sound woven from Jay-Z’s powerful rap and Alicia Keys’s stunning vocals.

Released in October 2009, it held the No.

1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and won two Grammy Awards.

The lyrics, which celebrate New York’s allure and possibilities, resonate with those who are chasing their dreams.

Listening to it while walking through the city will make you feel as if you’re breathing in the very air of New York.

Impire State Of MindJay Z feat Alicia Keys26rank/position

Jay Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind LIVE

The signature pose is the Dynasty Sign, where you make a triangle with your hands during the song.

It’s a must-listen track whose melody perfectly blends the vocals of hip-hop legend Jay-Z and songstress Alicia Keys.

OceansJay Z ft Frank Ocean27rank/position

Jay Z ft Frank Ocean – Ocean Music Video

A song conceived through reflection on the generational impact of the transatlantic slave trade.

Created by Jay-Z, who denounces colonialism, it features R&B singer Frank Ocean.

The producers are Pharrell Williams and Timbaland.

Young ForeverJay Z. Ft. Mr. Hudson28rank/position

JAY-Z – Young Forever ft. Mr Hudson

The wish to stay forever young is something everyone desires yet knows is an unattainable fantasy—precisely why it only feels convincing when expressed by truly capable artists.

In that regard, the persuasive power of British musician Mr.

Hudson’s soaring vocals paired with world-famous rapper Jay-Z’s cool delivery is simply outstanding.

The track closes Jay-Z’s eleventh studio album, The Blueprint 3, released in 2009, and is actually a remake of a song originally released and made a hit in 1984 by the German band Alphaville.

Jay-Z’s lyrics and rap are added to the original melody, with production handled by Kanye West.

Compared to the original, it’s been reborn as a passionate anthem to life; its heartfelt message that can move young people who feel lost makes it easy to see why it’s so popular as a graduation song.