Jay-Z: Top 15 Underrated Songs

This last little while, Jay-Z has been the talk of the town. A town of music that he runs laps around, an industry he has by the throat, a genre he has at bay. However, Jay-Z the musician gets overlooked many times. If not for the talent he possess, then for the talent he has shown in the past, even in some of his darkest moments. Whether it was on a soundtrack, an unreleased single, a 12’’, someone else’s album, or even on his album, Jay rarely had material that was infamously slept on. The dude’s whole life is documented and praised, so why wouldn’t his music be?

Keezy from The Real Frequency fam concluded that we should take on the challenge and design a “Most Slept On Jay-Z” list. Being the list maker that I am, I had to take him up on that offer. We’ve each compiled a list of 15 songs. Which one do you roll with? More importantly, what are we missing? What on the list isn’t slept on? What concludes being slept on?

For our lists, it was a mixed bag of unreleased tracks, joints people just simply don’t appreciate enough, or songs that don’t get spins (that probably should). We came to our own conclusions of what Slept On meant. Enjoy it for what it is.

Deezy. Vs. Keezy.

Sean Deez

15.  “Jigga My N***a”

Slept on because: The horrible annoying hook took away from the arrogant lyrical drop from Hova: it’s done so stylistically.  The second and third verse in particular really elevate the track.  It was also on the Ruff Ryders Vol 1 compilation.

14.  ” Hova Song (Vol. 3 Intro)”

Slept on because: People generally skipped forward to “So Ghetto,” but truly, this introduction continued a string of strong starting moments for Hov and his albums.

13.  “What’s In a Name?”

Slept on because: Not many people are familiar with the early Jay, and this shows Hov giving love to early and current (at the time) superstars in the game.  He revisits something similar on Missy Elliot’s “Back In The Day.”

12. “People’s Court”

Slept on because: Even though the sample is well recognized, not enough people recognize how Jay-z bodies it.  It’s up there when discussing some of Jay’s best street-law stories.  Could’ve been on Volume 3, but was left off.

11. “Reach the Top”

Slept on because: It simply hasn’t gotten enough spins from daily Jay fans.  This song marks his desire and drive to reach the top, and listening to it now, it’s funny how he did exactly as he said.  The production is nuts too, circa 93-94.

10. “Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise)”

Slept on because: It’s a bonus track off of Blueprint (after “Momma Loves Me”).  When discussing the acclaimed album, this track never gets discussed as one of the best, when it rightfully could be up there.  Great beat from Just Bleezy

9. “Blueprint 2″

Slept on because: Once again, a cheesy chorus takes away from the appreciation of this track, and a pretty weak album loaded with filler contributes too. Fact is, this joint is and always has been dope. The beat is wicked and Jay flows over the dark keys perfectly.

8.  “Dynasty Intro”

Slept on because: Once again, most people would skip to the single, “Change the Game,” without recognizing this gem from Jay (and from Just Blaze). It takes a minute for Hov to get in, but when he does, he kills it for two minutes straight.

7.  “Addicted to the Game”

Slept on because: Circa 2001, most were only about The Blueprint when it came to Jay. Another Just Blaze infused banger, loaded with marvelous imagery and line after line of heat. Really well compiled joint.

6. ” Bitches & Sisters”

Slept on because: It’s a bonus track on the Blueprint 2, and frankly, getting through that album as a whole was hard enough as it was. With that said, this song is marvelous. The guidebook to a huge mystery, and a dope beat by who else? Just Blaze..

5. “Lucky Me”

Slept on because: It’s sandwiched in the middle of Volume 1 and rarely gets talked about when discussing some of Jay’s elite tracks. The man himself calls it one of his favourite joints, that alone should count for something.

4.  “In My Lifetime (Original Ski Mix)”

Slept on because: His first solo single, full with a video and all, but hardly talked about. Big Jaz remixed it, and it’s nice as well, but there’s a throwback, nostalgic feel when listening to the Ski produced joint. Jay was on his quick flow every now and then too.

3. “This Life Forever”

Slept on because: It was on the Black Gangster Soundtrack, a book written by Donald Goines. A gem of a joint, simply because plenty who at first haven’t heard it, instantly consider it one of Jay’s best.

2. “Streets is Watching”

Slept on because: A horrible movie couldn’t taint this song.  It’s well known, sure, but when discussing some of Jay’s best joints, this should certainly be in the discussion.  It was the first track created for Volume 1 and should’ve set Jay on the right track for that album.  Instead, a few Puffy-infused plans took that away.  Regardless, amazing joint.

1. a.”Where I’m From”/ b.”Dear Summer”

Slept on because: It’s undoubtedly up in the top 10 of Jay-z’s best songs.  In fact, it doesn’t get talked about enough. Is it too gutter?  Too street?  Too grimey?  Who knows.   But “Where I’m From” connects Jay-Z’s to not only his Marcy roots, but to his hip hop roots.  It takes him and his audience back in more ways than one.

Slept on because: It was on Memphis Bleek’s album, 534, hence why this one got over looked. Regardless, Jay had the best song on someone else’s album. It’s one of Jay’s most sincere efforts and his most heartfelt “missed you” moments. It doesn’t get recognized enough, and is more or less forgotten when talking about Jigga’s best work.

Keezy

15. “NYMP”

Slept on because: Isn’t this the raw Jay that everyone claims to want on every album?

14. “American Dreamin’”

Slept on because: A very soulful joint and with an Opening verse that is so underrated. “We need it now, we need a town, we need a place to pitch, we need a mound.”

13. “Some People Hate”

Slept on because: No I.D. provides a vicious backdrop for Jay to get at the haters. Lemme find out y’all hatin’ on this pick, especially if you`ve heard the 3rd verse. I think a lot of people didn’t like this because he “borrowed” some of 2Pac’s rhymes.

12. “La-La-La”

Slept on because: A club banger with not-so-clubby lyrics. Jay’s flow over this was water. “Don’t confuse me with Marbury out this bitch, run up on me at the lights, you could lose your life/Muhfuckas must smoking they la-la-la with crack, 45 gun smoke, choke off that/Let’s get back to the music, I ain’t with all that/Plus the feds is tappin’ my phones, “did y’all get all that?”

11. “Excuse Me Miss” (Kanye West Remix)

Slept on because: Not sure if a lot of people have heard this but it’s better than the original to me. Kanye’s verse really tops it off.

10. “Trouble”

Slept on because: One of the better Dr. Dre beats in recent memory, the flow gets really silly in the 3rd verse with all the “lil” references.

9. “Kingdom Come”

Slept on because: I know a lot of people thought this was one of Jay’s weakest albums but this joint was certainly not to blame. Jay blacking out over a Just Blaze heatrock.

8. “The Bounce” feat. Kanye West

Slept on because: So underrated based on the first verse and the flow alone, Kanye also helps the cause with an entertaining verse and playful flow. Also one of the hardest beats Timbo has given to Jigga.. “Rumour has it the Blueprint’s a classic, couldn’t even be stopped by Bin Laden”

7. “Success” feat. Nas

Slept on because: I was a Nas fan first so it was very hard for me to admit that Jay got him on this, but he did.

6. “Rap Game Crack Game”

Slept on because: The concept behind this, the lyrics, the cuts, Jaz-O’s production; all underrated.

5. “Coming of Age” feat. Memphis Bleek

Slept on because: Bleek couldn’t even ruin this!  That’s how good the production and concept are.

4. “Allure”

Slept on because: One of Jays most lyrical songs, period.

3. “So Ghetto”

Slept on because: All the other Jigga/Primo collaborations get mentions as some of Jay’s greatest songs, why not this one?

2. “Imaginary Player”

Slept on because: Don’t understand how this didn’t make the top 25 lists, so I have to give it its due credit. Classic Jay braggadacio raps.

1. “Never Change”

Slept on because: For some reason, this track never gets mentioned amongst the standouts on the original Blueprint, which is a little baffling to me. Top notch lyrics, plus one of Kanye’s most soulful beats of all time. “If we stay strong, we could get paper longer than (Scottie) Pippen’s arms.”