Grammy nominee for Best Rap Album

Double Black Vinyl in Gatefold Jacket

Jay-Z’s eighth studio album, The Black Album, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It produced three hit singles, including Hot 100 top-ten hits “Change Clothes,” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” and “99 Problems.” The Black Album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 47th Grammy Awards, but lost out to Kanye West’s The College Dropout. The album was ranked #349 in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Released: 11/25/03