Released on 9/11, Jay-Z dropped such high quality on The Blueprint that everyone kept the album at the top of their conversations anyway, even in spite of world events. Soulful production via ’70s R&B sampling from the up-and-coming Kanye West (the Jackson 5, Bobby Byrd, David Ruffin, Al Green and more are all on here) makes this album stand apart in Jigga’s catalogue. “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Song Cry,” “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” “Takeover” (the Nas dis track propelled by The Doors’ “Five to One”) and so much more are all unforgettable.