Studio Album · No. 6
The Blueprint Songwriting Credits by Jay-Z
Produced by Bink, Kanye West, Just Blaze, Trackmasters, Timbaland, Eminem, Luis Resto · Engineered by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton, Jimmy Douglass, Rajon Wright, Shane Woodley
Holds writing credit on 15 of 15 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 15 / 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
Awards & Recognition 1
The Blueprint is the clearest snapshot of Jay-Z's authorship model meeting a defining production team. He wrote every word, the only rapping guest being Eminem on 'Renegade,' while the composer column reads like a soul and Motown roll call because Kanye West and Just Blaze built almost every beat from a sample. His near-total lyricist score sits over music sourced from Berry Gordy, Al Green, Bobby Byrd, and the Jackson 5 catalog.
The Blueprint is the sixth studio album by Jay-Z, released on September 11, 2001, and widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made. Its sound is defined by the soul-sampling 'chipmunk soul' production of Kanye West and Just Blaze, who chopped and sped up old records into warm, triumphant beats that became hugely influential. Jay-Z wrote every verse, including the famous battle rap 'Takeover' aimed at Nas and Prodigy, and the album's only guest is Eminem on 'Renegade.' The composer credits are a tour of soul and funk history, from Berry Gordy and the writers of the Jackson 5 to Al Green and Bobby Byrd, because nearly every beat is built on a sample. It was certified three-times platinum and in 2018 was selected for the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, the first 21st-century album so honored.
Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Ruler's Back
|
Jay-Z | Roosevelt Harrell IIIPhil HurttWalter Sigler | Bink | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Takeover
|
Jay-Z | Kanye WestEric BurdonLawrence ParkerAlan LomaxBryan ChandlerRodney LemayJim MorrisonJohn DensmoreRobby KriegerRay Manzarek | Kanye West | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
|
Jay-Z | Kanye WestBerry GordyAlphonso MizellFreddie PerrenDeke Richards | Kanye West | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Girls, Girls, Girls
|
Jay-Z | Justin SmithTom BrockRobert Relf | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Q-Tip (Featured Vocals)Slick Rick (Featured Vocals)Biz Markie (Featured Vocals) |
| 5 |
Jigga That Nigga
|
Jay-Z | Jean-Claude OlivierSamuel Barnes | Trackmasters | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
U Don't Know
|
Jay-Z | Justin SmithBobby Byrd | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Hola' Hovito
|
Jay-Z | Timothy Mosley | Timbaland | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)
|
Jay-Z | Kanye WestMichael PriceDan Walsh | Kanye West | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Never Change
|
Jay-Z | Kanye WestRobert Eugene Miller | Kanye West | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Song Cry
|
Jay-Z | Justin SmithDouglas GibbsRalph Johnson | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
All I Need
|
Jay-Z | Roosevelt Harrell IIIMichael D. Monroe | Bink | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Renegade
|
Jay-ZEminem | Luis Resto | EminemLuis Resto | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals)Eminem (Featured Vocals) |
| 13 |
Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)
|
Jay-Z | Roosevelt Harrell IIIAl Green | Bink | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise)
|
Jay-Z | Justin SmithTyrone ThomasAugust MoonGerald BrownStanley ClarkeMichael GarsonRaymond Gomez | Just Blaze | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |
| 15 |
Girls, Girls, Girls (Part 2)
|
Jay-Z | Justin SmithRobert PoindexterJackie Members | Kanye West | Jay-Z (Lead Vocals) |