The Blueprint to the Throne

Follow Jay-Z’s path to success over the last decade.

The Evolution of Kanye West - Kanye became one of the most sought-after producers after he crafted several standouts on Jay-Z's 2001 classic The Blueprint. His use of sped-up soul samples turned hip hop production on its ear.(Photo: Courtesy Roc-A-Fella Records)

1 / 16

September 11, 2001, is not only an extremely important date in our nation's history but it also marks the date Jay-Z dropped The Blueprint, the first installment in the BP trilogy. Since its release, Jay-Z has gone from well-respected rapper to one of the most financially successful hip hop artists ever. BET.com takes a moment to acknowledge the trail that J blazed since dropping the classic album. \r\r(Photo: Def Jam)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy Roc-A-Fella Records

Jay-Z vs. Nas Beef\r - The ongoing feud between Nas and Jay-Z has gone down in hip hop history as one of the most epic rap battles. Although the two men generally ignored the comments flung back and forth between their respective crews, the classic diss tracks "The Takeover" and "Ether," in addition to many blatant disrespectful comments in interviews, ultimately resulted. The beef, apparently over business issues, didn't end until four years later when Jigga brought out Nas as his special surprise guest at his 2005 I Declare War tour. Nas would later sign on with Def Jam Records, where Jay presided as president at the time.\r(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images for Universal Music)

2 / 16

Jay-Z vs. Nas Beef\r - The ongoing feud between Nas and Jay-Z has gone down in hip hop history as one of the most epic rap battles. Although the two men generally ignored the comments flung back and forth between their respective crews, the classic diss tracks "The Takeover" and "Ether," in addition to many blatant disrespectful comments in interviews, ultimately resulted. The beef, apparently over business issues, didn't end until four years later when Jigga brought out Nas as his special surprise guest at his 2005 I Declare War tour. Nas would later sign on with Def Jam Records, where Jay presided as president at the time.\r(Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images for Universal Music)

"The Takeover" — Jay-Z Disses Nas at 2001 Summer Jam\r - Jay-Z holds the distinction of firing the first shot in one of the most closely watched rap beefs in hip hop history. Jay chose New York's 2001 Summer Jam stage to make the first public acknowledgement of the feud when he performed "Takeover," the first single for his upcoming album The Blueprint, which dissed Nas and ended with the line "Ask Nas, he don't want it with Hov. No!"\r(Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)J

3 / 16

"The Takeover" — Jay-Z Disses Nas at 2001 Summer Jam\r - Jay-Z holds the distinction of firing the first shot in one of the most closely watched rap beefs in hip hop history. Jay chose New York's 2001 Summer Jam stage to make the first public acknowledgement of the feud when he performed "Takeover," the first single for his upcoming album The Blueprint, which dissed Nas and ended with the line "Ask Nas, he don't want it with Hov. No!"\r(Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)J

Jay-Z - “Interlude / December 4th,” The Black Album (2003) - “I learned that all things must come to an end...” says the voice on the first track of Jay-Z’s then farewell album before blasting into “December 4th.” The track includes spoken word interludes from HOV’s mother over a “That’s How Long” by The Chi-Lites sample. It’s a heartfelt account of HOV’s early life immersed in triumph.(Photo: Roc-a-Fella Records)

4 / 16

The Black Album \r - At the opening of his 40/40 night club in New York, Jay announced that his next album, The Black Album, would be his last. His eighth studio effort, which spawned the hits "Change Clothes," "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and "99 Problems," was released on November 14, 2003. Although Jay-Z threw himself a huge retirement party and concert at Madison Square Garden before settling into his position as President of Def Jam, he wouldn't be absent from the studio for long. \r\r(Photo: Island Def Jam)

Releases S. Dot Carter Collection With Reebok - In 2003 Hov became the first non-athlete to establish a shoe collection with Reebook. The "S. Carter Collection" flew off the shelves becoming the fastest-selling shoe in the company's 108-year history.  (Photo: Reebok)

5 / 16

Releases S. Dot Carter Collection With Reebok - In 2003 Hov became the first non-athlete to establish a shoe collection with Reebook. The "S. Carter Collection" flew off the shelves becoming the fastest-selling shoe in the company's 108-year history.  (Photo: Reebok)

Photo By Photo: Reebok

ADVERTISEMENT
Jay-Z's "Retirement Party" at Madison Square Garden\r - In celebration of the end of his career as a rapper, Jay-Z threw a huge retirement party and concert at Madison Square Garden on November 25, 2003. The event, which was documented for his film Fade to Black, was attended by special guests The Roots, Missy Elliott, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Twista, Ghostface Killah, Foxy Brown, Pharrell and R. Kelly.\r(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

6 / 16

Jay-Z's "Retirement Party" at Madison Square Garden\r - In celebration of the end of his career as a rapper, Jay-Z threw a huge retirement party and concert at Madison Square Garden on November 25, 2003. The event, which was documented for his film Fade to Black, was attended by special guests The Roots, Missy Elliott, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Twista, Ghostface Killah, Foxy Brown, Pharrell and R. Kelly.\r(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Roc-A-Fella - Roc-A-Fella collapsed in 2005 amid distrust between Damon Dash and Jay-Z, who dissed each other in interviews and on wax  — Dash had the Dipset on his side — for years afterwards.  (Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

7 / 16

Roc-A-Fella Records Splits Up\r - After reportedly not being able to agree on the future direction of Roc-A-Fella records, all three partners, Jay, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke sold their stages in the company relinquishing all power to the parent company, Def Jam Records, and its newly announced president, Jay-Z, in 2004. The highly publicized split with his business partners and friends came after nine years of business and forever changed Jay's course as a businessman.\r(Photo: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect)

Jay-Z on Opening Arena in Brooklyn\r  - "We're going to open this arena right here with a concert. Maybe one, maybe two, maybe three ... I sound like LeBron."\r (Photo: fafotos/picturegroup)

8 / 16

Jay-Z Named President of Def Jam Records \r - When Jay-Z decided to retire, he did so from rap but not the work force altogether. Instead, Jay headed to the boardroom in 2004 in his new position as president of Def Jam Recordings.

Beef With Jim Jones\r - Jim Jones hasn't been a fan of Jigga in a while. Beginning in 2006 when Jones openly criticized Jay-Z's performance as president of Def Jam and continuing years afterward. Back then Jay responded with "Brooklyn High," a diss track over Jones' "We Fly High" beat, but then he learned to simply ignore the Harlem rapper. \r\r(Photos, left to right: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup, Andrew Marks/PictureGroup)

9 / 16

Beef With Jim Jones\r - Jim Jones hasn't been a fan of Jigga in a while. Beginning in 2006 when Jones openly criticized Jay-Z's performance as president of Def Jam and continuing years afterward. Back then Jay responded with "Brooklyn High," a diss track over Jones' "We Fly High" beat, but then he learned to simply ignore the Harlem rapper. \r\r(Photos, left to right: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup, Andrew Marks/PictureGroup)

Jay-Z's HP Commercial \r - One of Jay-Z's first major endorsements, a commercial for computer company Hewlett Packard debuted on June 8, 2006, during the NBA finals. Speaking to how highly recognizable his voice had become, the 60-second TV ad featured his voice and body from the neck down only.  \r\r(Photo: HP)

10 / 16

Jay-Z's HP Commercial \r - One of Jay-Z's first major endorsements, a commercial for computer company Hewlett Packard debuted on June 8, 2006, during the NBA finals. Speaking to how highly recognizable his voice had become, the 60-second TV ad featured his voice and body from the neck down only.  \r\r(Photo: HP)

ADVERTISEMENT
Jay-Z, Kingdom Come - After a three-year retirement, Hov's comeback album left some fans and critics disappointed, but with yet another No. 1 debut, it proved he could still run things on the charts.U.S. Sales to Date: 1,510,000 (Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records)

11 / 16

Jay-Z Returns With Kingdom Come\r - Jay returned from his short-lived retirement with the release of Kingdom Come on November 21, 2006. The album, supported by the success of it's lead single, "Show Me What You Got," sold 680,000 units in its first year, Jay's highest in his career. \r\r(Photo: Island Def Jam)

Marrying Beyoncé - Bey and Jay kept so quiet about their long relationship and secret wedding that the only proof we have that it even exists was their marriage license, which was filed quietly in Scarsdale, New York, on April 18, 2008. Their union was the first step toward becoming the next power couple in music.\r (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

12 / 16

Marrying Beyoncé - Bey and Jay kept so quiet about their long relationship and secret wedding that the only proof we have that it even exists was their marriage license, which was filed quietly in Scarsdale, New York, on April 18, 2008. Their union was the first step toward becoming the next power couple in music.\r (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Jay Z, Blueprint 3 - The Blueprint is a classic. Blueprint 2, Jay Z’s double-disc follow up, is widely viewed with mixed feelings. Blueprint 3 falls somewhere in between. The 2009 release included smashes like “Empire State of Mind” and “Run This Town,” as well as features from Drake, J. Cole, Kid Cudi and more.  (Photo: Def Jam)

13 / 16

The Blueprint 3\r - With The Blueprint 3 (2009) Jay-Z made history, breaking the tie between himself and Elvis Presley for U.S. No. 1 albums, at 11. The LP was also the highest-selling hip hop album of 2009 in the U.S. and was his 11th album to go platinum. Jay also scored his first No. 1 single with the Alicia Keys-assisted "Empire State of Mind."\r(Photo: Def Jam)

Jay-Z Appears on the Cover of Forbes\r - Since relinquishing his position at Def Jam, Jay has since returned to the studio and also kept busy with his investments including his stakes in the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets and Carol's Daughter, that contribute to his estimated net worth of $450 million. Forbes magazine paired Jay-Z with Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in the country, on the cover of the Forbes 400 issue in September 2010 acknowledging Jigga's potential to be one of America's next billionaires. \r\r(Photo: Forbes, October 2010)

14 / 16

Jay-Z Appears on the Cover of Forbes\r - Since relinquishing his position at Def Jam, Jay has since returned to the studio and also kept busy with his investments including his stakes in the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets and Carol's Daughter, that contribute to his estimated net worth of $450 million. Forbes magazine paired Jay-Z with Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in the country, on the cover of the Forbes 400 issue in September 2010 acknowledging Jigga's potential to be one of America's next billionaires. \r\r(Photo: Forbes, October 2010)

Partnership With Kanye West\r - Jay's musical partnership with Ye has been a winning formula since The Blueprint, where Ye produced four of the tracks including the lead single, "The Takeover." Now that Yeezy has moved from behind the boards to behind the mic and established himself as a distinguished rapper in his own right, Jay and Ye have only heightened their potential for industry dominance.\r(Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)

15 / 16

Partnership With Kanye West\r - Jay's musical partnership with Ye has been a winning formula since The Blueprint, where Ye produced four of the tracks including the lead single, "The Takeover." Now that Yeezy has moved from behind the boards to behind the mic and established himself as a distinguished rapper in his own right, Jay and Ye have only heightened their potential for industry dominance.\r(Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)

Soundtrack of 2011 — Watch the Throne - Jay plus Kanye, need we say more? From the first single, "H.A.M.," which added a new phrase to the urban dictionary, the summer banger, “Otis” (and the much-talked about chopped up Maybach in the song’s video), to the album's current chart-topping track “N---as in Paris”, W.T.T. was a true hip hop masterpiece. These heavy weights put everyone on notice that Jigga and Ye are still running this town. (Photo: Courtesy of Roc-A-Fella Records)

16 / 16

Watch the Throne\r - Jay's most recent project, Watch the Throne, a collaborative album with Kanye West, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, selling more than 436,000 units in its first week. The highly anticipated album established Jay-Z and Kanye West as the king's of hip hop. \r\r(Photo: Def Jam/Roc Nation)