The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse (stylized as The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse ) is the seventh studio album by American rapper Jay-Z . It was released on November 12, 2002, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings . The album serves as a sequel to his sixth album The Blueprint (2001). Parts of the album were later reissued for his compilation album, titled Blueprint 2.1 (2003). The album debuted at number one, shipping with first-week sales of 545,000 units. As of February 2012, the album has sold 2,117,000 units in the United States.

Blueprint 2.1 is a compilation album by rapper Jay-Z , created from a re-cut version of The Blueprint : The Gift & the Curse . It was certified gold by the RIAA . One single was released from the album, " La-La-La ".

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 is the second studio album by American rapper Jay-Z , released on November 4, 1997, via Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam . The album debuted at on the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAA . The album sold over 138,000 copies in its first week .

Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter is the fourth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z . It was released on December 28, 1999, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings . According to USA Today critic Steve Jones, the record marked a return to the street-oriented sound of Jay-Z's 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt . Vol. 3... featured production from Swizz Beatz , Timbaland , K-Rob , DJ Clue , Rockwilder , DJ Premier , and Irv Gotti , among others.

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life is the third studio album by American rapper Jay-Z . It was released on September 29, 1998, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings . It went on to become his most commercially successful album, selling over 5 million copies in the United States. In the liner notes of the album, Jay-Z gives his thoughts on various tracks. The lyrics to the fast-paced " Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99) " are also included.

Fade to Black is a 2004 documentary film about the career of American rapper Jay-Z . It also features many other famous names in hip hop music . This live concert at Madison Square Garden was meant to be Jay-Z's final performance, as he announced his intentions to retire from the industry.