Retirement

It's easy to forget just how many full length projects Jay-Z has released since his 1996 debut Reasonable Doubt. From Vol.1 In My Lifetime, to his mainstream breakthrough Vol 2. Hard Knock Life, and the critically acclaimed The Blueprint (and all albums between), Jay showed musical and lyrical growth while amassing a diverse fanbase.

2003's The Black Album marks Jay-Z's eighth full length studio album, and was advertised as his last album before he retired. Songs such as "Encore," "What More Can I Say," and "Moment of Clarity" echo the retirement theme. In 2003, Jay explained to MTV's Sway that he felt that he had done all that he could as a solo artist. "What more can I achieve as a solo artist?" he queried. "I'm a young guy, and I have to step outside of my comfort zone. That's just part of being alive, part of living."

Producers for The Black Album include Just Blaze, Kanye West, The Neptunes, Eminem, DJ Quik, Timbaland, 9th Wonder, and Rick Rubin [Jay wanted a different producer for each song]. In addition to positive critical acclaim, the album was a huge success, selling nearly half a million copies in its first week of release. The Black Album is Jay-Z's biggest selling record of that decade, and was certified triple platinum in 2005. Three singles were released from the project, all of which enjoyed commercial success.

The Singles

The lead single from The Black Album was the Neptunes-produced "Change Clothes," which received heavy radio airplay. The synth heavy song with Pharrell's singing on the hook was received well, and a strategic choice for the first single. The Timbaland produced "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" was the second single, and a huge club hit with Tim's signature "wall of sound" style of production full of synth stabs and intricate drum programming.

"99 Problems" marked the last single from the album, with Rick Rubin's guitar chopped track. On "99 Problems," Jay reveals the problems that go along with being a successful recording artist and mogul, and stresses that women are not amongst his problems. The hook, "I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one" is borrowed from Ice-T's 1993 song, "99 Problems" from his album Home Invasion.

The Black Album

"Lucifer," though not a single, is a standout track on the album. The Kanye West-produced track has a reggae feel topped with the Max Romero "Chase The Devil" sample for the hook. The DJ Quik-produced "Justify My Thug" is a synth heavy slow tempo banger with a Madonna inspired hook sang by Sharlotte Gibson.

"Threat," with its Cedric The Entertainer performed hook, is produced by 9th Wonder, and contains his signature boom bap drums and clever sample chops. On "Allure," Jay speaks on the magnetic attraction that a hustler has to the street life. The Neptunes-produced track features Pharrell singing the hook.

The Black Album has aged well and represents a solid entry in his vast discography. The album debuted at number 1 on Billboard 200 and remains a favorite among Jay-Z fans.