Studio Album · No. 8
The Black Album Songwriting Credits by Jay-Z
Produced by Just Blaze, The Buchanans, Kanye West, The Neptunes, Timbaland, 9th Wonder, Jay-Z, Eminem, Luis Resto, Rick Rubin, DJ Quik, Aqua, Joe "3H" Weinberger · Engineered by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton, Steve King, Andrew Scheps, Darrell Thorp, Demacio Castellon
Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented
Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Jay-Z carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
The Black Album is Jay-Z's most deliberate solo statement, and the credits reflect it: no rapping guests, one star producer per track, and Jay-Z alone in the lyricist column on every song. The composer column rotates through the era's best beatmakers and the records they flipped, including a Beatles sample on 'Encore' and a rock guitar loop on '99 Problems.' It is his authorship model presented as a farewell showcase.
The Black Album is the eighth studio album by Jay-Z, released in November 2003 and presented at the time as his retirement record. Stripped of rap guests, it is a pure solo showcase in which he assigned one marquee producer to each track, including Just Blaze, Kanye West, the Neptunes, Timbaland, 9th Wonder, and Rick Rubin. Jay-Z wrote every verse, with the autobiographical 'December 4th' and 'My 1st Song' bookending a victory-lap narrative, while the music credits again belong to his producers and samples. The Rick Rubin-produced '99 Problems' became a signature hit, fusing rap with rock guitars. The album was certified multi-platinum and later inspired Danger Mouse's 'Grey Album' mash-up with the Beatles.
Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Interlude
|
Jay-Z | Justin Smith | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
December 4th
|
Jay-Z | Justin SmithWalter BoydElijah Powell | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
What More Can I Say
|
Jay-Z | Andre GonzalezSimon JohnsonThom BellKenneth GambleRoland Chambers | The Buchanans | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Encore
|
Jay-Z | Kanye WestPaul McCartneyJohn Lennon | Kanye West | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Change Clothes
|
Jay-Z | Pharrell WilliamsChad Hugo | The Neptunes | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Pharrell Williams (Featured Vocals) |
| 6 |
Dirt off Your Shoulder
|
Jay-Z | Timothy Mosley | Timbaland | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Threat
|
Jay-Z | Patrick DouthitRobert Kelly | 9th WonderJay-Z | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Moment of Clarity
|
Jay-Z | Marshall MathersLuis RestoSteve King | EminemLuis Resto | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
99 Problems
#30
|
Jay-Z | Rick RubinNorman LandsbergFelix PappalardiJohn VenturaLeslie WeinsteinWilliam SquierTracy MarrowAlphonso Henderson | Rick Rubin | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Public Service Announcement (Interlude)
|
Jay-Z | Justin SmithRaymond Levin | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Justify My Thug
|
Jay-Z | David BlakeDarryl McDanielsJoseph SimmonsLarry SmithIngrid ChavezLenny KravitzMadonna Ciccone | DJ Quik | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Lucifer
|
Jay-Z | Kanye WestHugh PerryArmend CobiMaxie Smith | Kanye West | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Allure
|
Jay-Z | Pharrell WilliamsChad Hugo | The Neptunes | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
My 1st Song
|
Jay-Z | Nicholas McCarrellGermain de La Fuente | AquaJoe "3H" Weinberger | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |