The ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100 chart. Songs are ranked using an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value, and weeks at No. 100 earning the least.
21
"Change Clothes" Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 10, Peak Date: Dec. 27, 2003
As the first single from Jay-Z's "The Black Album," "Change Clothes" became popular not only for Jay's rhymes, but for The Neptunes' production. (And, of course, Pharrell's distinguishable falsetto.) "Change Clothes" became one of Jay's more popular songs in the U.S. peaking at No. 10 on the Hot 100 and proved that Mr. Carter was back.
20
"Déjà Vu" Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 4, Peak Date: Aug. 12, 2006
"I just make the hits, like a factory," claimed Jay alongside Ms. B. It was a song, as like their first collaboration, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde," that foreshadowed their power couple takeover of just about everything, including our Hot 100 chart. Although it debuted at No. 44, "Deja Vu" peaked at No. 4 on the Hot 100.
19
"I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 11, Peak Date: Dec. 30, 2000
From its memorable hook (on point as always, Skateboard P) to Jay's party-friendly rhymes, "I Just Wanna Love U" would eventually become a summertime jam. (Regardless of its October release.) The first single from Jay's "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia," "I Just Wanna Love U" peaked at No. 11 on the Hot 100.
18
"Clique" Big Sean, Jay-Z and Kanye West
Hot 100 Peak Position: 12, Peak Date: 12, Peak Date: Sept. 29, 2012
Jay disappeared as quickly as he appeared on this track with Kanye West and Big Sean. The rhymes were fast: a combination of boasts and shout-outs accompanied by menacing production. "We top of the totem pole," Jay confidently claimed. It's true: "Clique" peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100.
17
"Young Forever" Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson
Hot 100 Peak Position: 10, Peak Date: May 15, 2010
A reworking of Alphaville's "Forever Young," Jay-Z's "Young Forever" was well-received when it dropped. Heavy radio coverage and strong digital downloads weren't the only accomplishments the song would attain. The song peaked at No. 10 on the Hot 100, and became Jay's 17th top ten single.
16
"Can I Get A…" Jay-Z feat. Amil & Ja Rule
Hot 100 Peak Position: 19, Peak Date: Jan. 16, 1999
Although "Can I Get A..." appeared on Jay's "Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life" album, this song is commonly associated with the first "Rush Hour" movie and its respective soundtrack. The beat for "Can I Get A..." was great, and Amil and Ja's guest appearances were the icing to Jay's cake. The 1998 classic single peaked at No. 19 on the Hot 100, becoming one of Jay's most commercially successful singles at the time.
15
"Excuse Me Miss" Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 4, Peak Date: Apr. 12, 2003
Another Jay and Neptunes hit, "Excuse Me Miss" contrasted significantly from the rapper's previous work. The R&B-tinged production and Jay's mature lyrical content, was much different than other women-based songs such as, "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "I Just Wanna Love U." Jay-Z's growth worked in his favor: "Excuse Me Miss" peaked at No. 4 on the Hot 100.
14
"I'll Be" Foxy Brown feat. Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 7, Peak Date: Apr. 12, 1997
It was a great pairing: Foxy Brown, one of the best female rappers at the time, and Jay-Z, the man who would eventually become a hip-hop mogul. "I'll Be" became a huge hit, peaking at No. 7 on the Hot 100.
13
"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 8, Peak Date: Oct. 20, 2001
"That's the anthem, get your damn hands up!" "Izzo" was Jay's song of triumph, its powerful production and memorable hook celebrating Jay and his accomplishments. The song has become one of Jay's most popular singles, as well as a success on the Hot 100 charts, peaking at No. 8.
12
"Fiesta (Remix)" R. Kelly feat. Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 6, Peak Date: Jun. 23, 2001
It's no surprise that the remix to "Fiesta" became a favorite. (And still continues to be.) It had all the right components: R. Kelly's awesomeness, slow-dance production and, well, Jay. (Honorable mention to Boo and Gotti.) The song spent five weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart, and peaked at No. 6 on the Hot 100.
11
"Dirt Off Your Shoulder" Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 5, Peak Date: April 10, 2004
"Dirt Off Your Shoulder" became an anthem in 2004. It was the answer to any "negative" situation: failed a test? Brush your shoulders off. Spent too much money at the club? Brush your shoulders off. Being attacked by a rival candidate for the U.S. presidency? Brush your shoulders off. (Kudos, President Obama.) "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" became one of Jay's biggest singles to date, peaking at No. 5 on the Hot 100.
10
"Frontin'" Pharrell Williams feat. Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 5, Peak Date: Sept. 20, 2003
Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z's professional bromance dates back to 2006, from when working together on Hov's "The Dynasty: ROC La Familia" lead single, "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)." As like "I Just Wanna Love U," "Frontin'" is yet another hit the duo pocketed. "Frontin'" was the 34th biggest selling single of 2003 in the U.S.
9
"Heartbreaker" Mariah Carey feat. Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1 (two weeks), Peak Date: Oct. 9, 1999
Jay-Z's playful guest verse is the cherry on top of Mariah Carey's addictive "Rainbow" lead single. The duo's hit, which was built around a sample from Stacy Lattisaw's "Attack of the Name Game," claimed the No. 1 spot for two consecutive weeks.
8
"Ni--as in Paris" Kanye West and Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 5, Peak Date: Jan. 7, 2012
"Ni--as in Paris" is the most hard-hitting song on Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative album, "Watch the Throne." Therefore it's no surprise the Hit-Boy-produced song, which The Throne performed consecutively during their tour, more times with each stop, peaked in the top 5 tier on the Hot 100 chart.
7
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" Jay-Z feat. Beyoncé
Hot 100 Peak Position: 4, Peak Date: Dec. 28, 2002
"You ready B? Let's go get 'em," Jay-Z kicks off his first collaborative hit with his now wife, Beyoncé. "03 Bonnie & Clyde" is proof that the couple has been unstoppable from jump. Coincidentally, "The Blueprint 2" hit was the first song that Kanye West produced for his close friend. 'Ye delivered a hit, built around Tupac's "Me & My Girlfriend," after Hov called him up and asked for the "
best beat you ever made."
6
"Run This Town" Jay-Z feat. Rihanna & Kanye West
Hot 100 Peak Position: 2, Peak Date: Oct. 3, 2009
The star power on the second single off "The Blueprint 3," turned the song into one of two of Jay-z's top five hits as a lead artist.
5
"Suit & Tie" Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 3, Peak Date: Oct. 3, 2009
Who better to step back into the music scene with after a six-year hiatus than with Jay-Z? The rapper spits his signature luxury rhymes on Justin Timberlake's "The 20/20 Experience" comeback hit.
4
"Umbrella" Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1 (seven weeks), Peak Date: June 9, 2007
Rihanna introduced her bad ass side with her boss man, Jay-Z, by her side. The "Good Girl Gone Bad" lead single, produced by The-Dream, earned both Jay-Z and Rihanna another No. 1 hit. "Umbrella" was Rihanna's 2nd No. 1, following "SOS" (2006), and Jay-Z's third, following "Heartbreaker" (1999) and "Crazy In Love" (2003).
3
"Empire State of Mind" Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1 (five weeks), Peak Date: Nov. 28, 2009
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys turned an ode to their city into a national anthem. Their duet not only topped the top spot for five consecutive weeks but earned Jay-Z his only No. 1 as a lead artist.
2
"Crazy In Love" Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Hot 100 Peak Position: 1 (eight weeks), Peak Date: July 12, 2003
We dare you to not "aw" at the fact that Jay-Z's top Hot 100 No. 1 is a collaborative song with Beyoncé. The power couple has been taking over the charts since their first collaborative hit, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde." And with a solo album on deck for the year individually, there's no doubt that there are more hits to come for the two. "Crazy In Love" topped the Hot 100 chart for eight consecutive weeks.
