No one has shaped music and the business surrounding music in the past, say, 50 years quite like the New York City-born rapper, Jay Z.
The musician and lyricist has created many hits as well as brought many new faces to popular songs. He has more businesses than one can count and—perhaps we’ve buried the lead here—he’s husband to the Queen, herself: Beyonce.
Videos by American Songwriter
But while we could go on and on about the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, instead, here, we’ll just dive into his Top 15 songs. They’re all bangers, as the kids say, so turn up your stereo.
15. “Can’t Knock The Hustle”
14. “99 Problems”
13. “Hard Knock Life”
12. “Lucifer”
11. “Big Pimpin’”
10. “Izzo”
9. “Feelin’ It”
8. “Onto The Next One”
7. “Song Cry”
6. “’03 Bonnie & Clyde”
5. “Jigga What, Jigga Who”
4. “Dead Presidents”
3. “The Story Of OJ”
2. “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”
1. “Empire State Of Mind”
Photo: PRNewsfoto/Moët Hennessy
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images LOVE ROCKS NYC/God's Love We Deliver -
INDIO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses perform onstage during the Power Trip music festival at Empire Polo Club on October 06, 2023 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Power Trip) -
SANTA MONICA, CA – SEPTEMBER 27: Psychedelic folk singer Linda Perhacs performs live onstage at day 2 of the Way Over Yonder Festival at the Santa Monica Pier on September 27, 2014 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 02: Morgan Wallen attends the launch of new exclusive SiriusXM channel at The Pinnacle on April 02, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Kevin MazurGetty Images for SiriusXM) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 07: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Bailey Zimmerman performs onstage during day four of CMA Fest 2026 at Nissan Stadium on June 07, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/WireImage) -
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 18: Steve Hackett performs at Fox Theater on November 18, 2025 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 24: Bruce Springsteen performs the song “Streets of Minneapolis” after receiving the ACLU Ralph Ellison Award for Defenders of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in the Arts, Business, Science and Sports at the ACLU Awards Ceremony at Washington Hilton on July 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images) -
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Myles Smith performs during Radio 1's Big Weekend at Herrington Country Park on May 23, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)