Studio Album · No. 10
American Gangster Songwriting Credits by Jay-Z
Produced by Idris Elba, Chris Flame, Diddy, Sean C, LV, Bigg D, Mario Winans, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, DJ Toomp, No I.D., Jermaine Dupri
Holds writing credit on 14 of 15 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 14 / 15 documented
Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether Jay-Z carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
American Gangster is a concept album, and the credits make its soul-sampling spine clear: Jay-Z wrote every verse, while the composer column fills with Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Curtis Mayfield, and the Isley Brothers as Diddy's Hitmen team flips classic records into a cinematic backdrop. His lyricist score stays total; the music is a curated tour through 1970s soul.
American Gangster is the tenth studio album by Jay-Z, released in November 2007 and conceived as a concept record inspired by the Denzel Washington film of the same name. Returning to the hustler narratives of his early work, he frames the album as the rise and fall of a drug kingpin, set to lush, cinematic soul production led by Diddy's Hitmen team of Sean C and LV. Jay-Z wrote every verse, while the composer credits are heavy with soul and funk samples from Marvin Gaye and Barry White to Curtis Mayfield and the Isley Brothers. Guests are sparse but pointed, including Lil Wayne, Beanie Sigel, and a notable reconciliation with Nas on 'Success.' The album debuted at number one and was certified platinum.
Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Intro
|
Idris ElbaAngel Wood | Idris ElbaAngel Wood | Idris ElbaChris Flame | Idris Elba (Spoken Word) |
| 2 |
Pray
|
Jay-Z | Sean CombsDeleno MatthewsLevar CoppinAlan Hawkshaw | DiddySean CLV | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
American Dreamin'
|
Jay-Z | Sean CombsDeleno MatthewsLevar CoppinMarvin GayeArthur RossLeon Ware | DiddySean CLVMario Winans | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Hello Brooklyn 2.0
|
Jay-ZLil Wayne | Derrick Baker | Bigg D | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Lil Wayne (Featured Vocals) |
| 5 |
No Hook
|
Jay-Z | Sean CombsDeleno MatthewsLevar CoppinBarry White | DiddySean CLV | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...
|
Jay-Z | Sean CombsDeleno MatthewsLevar CoppinThomas BrenneckDave GuyMike DellerLeon MichelsBosco Mann | DiddySean CLV | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Beyoncé (Background Vocals)Kanye West (Background Vocals)Cassie (Background Vocals) |
| 7 |
Sweet
|
Jay-Z | Sean CombsDeleno MatthewsLevar CoppinRudy Love | DiddySean CLV | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
I Know
|
Jay-Z | Pharrell Williams | The Neptunes | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Pharrell Williams (Featured Vocals) |
| 9 |
Party Life
|
Jay-Z | Sean CombsDeleno MatthewsLevar CoppinWillie HaleDavid Stone | DiddySean CLV | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Ignorant Shit
|
Jay-ZBeanie Sigel | Justin SmithRudolph IsleyO'Kelly IsleyRonald IsleyMarvin IsleyErnie IsleyChris Jasper | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Beanie Sigel (Featured Vocals) |
| 11 |
Say Hello
|
Jay-Z | Aldrin DavisTom Brocker | DJ Toomp | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Success
|
Jay-ZNas | Ernest WilsonLarry Ellis | No I.D.Jermaine Dupri | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Nas (Featured Vocals) |
| 13 |
Fallin'
|
Jay-Z | Jermaine DupriTony Hester | Jermaine DupriNo I.D. | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
Blue Magic
|
Jay-Z | Pharrell WilliamsDenzil FosterThomas McElroyTerry EllisCindy HerronMaxine JonesDawn RobinsonBernhard Kaun | The Neptunes | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Pharrell Williams (Featured Vocals) |
| 15 |
American Gangster
|
Jay-Z | Justin SmithCurtis Mayfield | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |