The best Jay-Z Album covers
So in preparation for the release of the Blueprint 3, I'm going to dedicate a set of posts to Jay. To start things off, I'm going to rank Jay's album covers.
1. Reasonable Doubt
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EFH96D7KL._SS500_.jpg)
The original cover that started Jay on the path of the smooth gangster-like hustler from the PJ's that has held form to this day. Even better than this cover is the original cd artwork of a 9mm laying in the street. Subsequent releases are plain black with words.
2. The Blueprint
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P2MDPME6L._SS500_.jpg)
In what is one of the more different of Jay-Z album covers because it isn't a full on frontal assault of Jay's visage, the Blueprint cover shows some artistic merit at least in the photographic sense. The blue theme worked well.
3. American Gangster
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GLxlv2zhL._SS400_.jpg)
This cover is better than the album to me. Even if it isn't like an original idea from Jay or thematically.
4. The Dynasty
![](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/73/54/4078c060ada05480a946f110.L.jpg)
I'm not a fan of the bandanna but the Roc sign and the Rocawear chain are working. Then you have the overlay of the word Dynasty. I think this might be the best cover artistically when you look at those additional components but the photo itself is blazay.
5. In My Lifetime: Volume 1
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417PC1YSTML._SS500_.jpg)
I still think they should have called it heir to the throne, but the basic look of it gives you the Hustler's ambition in a way. No jewels, nice watch and a simple leather jacket.
6. The Black Album
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HDYfzRRAL._SS500_.jpg)
The original idea behind dropping a "black" album was ill. To drop a record with no promotion, but to have people walk by and see a new Jay-Z album and see how many copies it sells is arrogance at it's finest. This, was a good album with an average cover.
7. Kingdom Come
![](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/95/90/3b97024128a03c77f274f010.L.jpg)
Okay we give you a half a point for the lame hologram. But you lose it for using Red.
8. Volume 3: The Life and Times of S. Carter
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VQ42S0WPL._SS500_.jpg)
My favorite album but a weak cover.
8. Volume 2: The Hard Knock Life
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412YMQ10TXL._SS500_.jpg)
LMAO, I don't even believe you in this one. You're trying too hard Jay.
9. The Blueprint 2
![](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/89/e9/829a810ae7a0451dbb72a110.L.jpg)
I know they did an entire photo shoot and this is the one they picked? It's like he didn't even make it to wardrobe.
1. Reasonable Doubt
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EFH96D7KL._SS500_.jpg)
The original cover that started Jay on the path of the smooth gangster-like hustler from the PJ's that has held form to this day. Even better than this cover is the original cd artwork of a 9mm laying in the street. Subsequent releases are plain black with words.
2. The Blueprint
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P2MDPME6L._SS500_.jpg)
In what is one of the more different of Jay-Z album covers because it isn't a full on frontal assault of Jay's visage, the Blueprint cover shows some artistic merit at least in the photographic sense. The blue theme worked well.
3. American Gangster
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GLxlv2zhL._SS400_.jpg)
This cover is better than the album to me. Even if it isn't like an original idea from Jay or thematically.
4. The Dynasty
![](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/73/54/4078c060ada05480a946f110.L.jpg)
I'm not a fan of the bandanna but the Roc sign and the Rocawear chain are working. Then you have the overlay of the word Dynasty. I think this might be the best cover artistically when you look at those additional components but the photo itself is blazay.
5. In My Lifetime: Volume 1
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417PC1YSTML._SS500_.jpg)
I still think they should have called it heir to the throne, but the basic look of it gives you the Hustler's ambition in a way. No jewels, nice watch and a simple leather jacket.
6. The Black Album
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HDYfzRRAL._SS500_.jpg)
The original idea behind dropping a "black" album was ill. To drop a record with no promotion, but to have people walk by and see a new Jay-Z album and see how many copies it sells is arrogance at it's finest. This, was a good album with an average cover.
7. Kingdom Come
![](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/95/90/3b97024128a03c77f274f010.L.jpg)
Okay we give you a half a point for the lame hologram. But you lose it for using Red.
8. Volume 3: The Life and Times of S. Carter
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VQ42S0WPL._SS500_.jpg)
My favorite album but a weak cover.
8. Volume 2: The Hard Knock Life
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412YMQ10TXL._SS500_.jpg)
LMAO, I don't even believe you in this one. You're trying too hard Jay.
9. The Blueprint 2
![](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/89/e9/829a810ae7a0451dbb72a110.L.jpg)
I know they did an entire photo shoot and this is the one they picked? It's like he didn't even make it to wardrobe.
My Best album too
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