17. “Run This Town”
Jay-Z
Blueprint 3
Roc Nation
If the importance of the stage and the height of the anticipation were more important in coming up with the candidates for this list than the verses themselves, “Run This Town” could easily come in at number one. Jay Z’s first album in 2 years. The first official Roc Nation release. The third and final installment in the historic Blueprint series. Hov. Rihanna. Summer 2009. The circumstances alone would be enough to make 95% of rappers quit. But Kanye stepped up to the plate, and while 17 may seem like an insult to a Kanye verse that has stood the test of time, the 16 that come before this were just that much better, despite Ye’s classic “bee sting” and “May, whaat?” references.
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