Guest Verses you may have Forgotten by Jay Z

Did you hear that the guy who owns Tidal had a concert the other day?  Apparently he's friends with Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway, and Beanie Sigel!  I looked him up and this Jay Z guy seems to have some cool guest verses out there.  Let me count 'em off!

Song:
"Party People"- Timbaland & Magoo (Jay Z & Twista) [2001]

How it got here:
You are reading the blog of one of the biggest Jay Z and Timbaland fans out there.  The fact that they consistently collaborate is simply sublime.  However, this particular track has a Jay Z flow that I have been trying to ape for 14 years now.  Jay Z has always been a rapper I feel like can make his voice sound like another instrument on the track.  On this track he even mimics the high hats on the track with his flow.  Dope!

Song:
"Welcome to New York City"- Cam'Ron (ft. Jay Z & Juelz Santana) [2002]

How it got here:
This collection of artists will probably never reoccur again.  That alone makes this track worth mentioning.  However, technically the way Jay Z rhymes not just words but the syllables within the words makes this a note worthy verse.  Yes this has also been an influence on my rapping.

Song:
"Count it Off"- Ms. Jade (ft. Jay Z) [2002]

How it got here:
Another Jay Z and Timbaland collaboration.  What's great about this track is we aren't getting the Jay Z who only showed up because he owed his friend a favour.  He's actually spitting on this track with purpose.

Song:
"Get By (Remix)"- Talib Kweli (ft. Mos Def/Jay Z/Kanye West/Busta Rhymes) [2003]

How it got here:
This is another instance of I can't believe these people got together on one song... and were actually referencing each other.  Well mostly Mos Def and Jay Z and for 2003 YG, those two Brooklynites swapping bars was too much to handle.

Song:
"Flip Flop Rock"- Big Boi (ft. Killer Mike & Jay Z) [2003]

How it got here:
Not only did Big Boi get Jay on the Hook but he got him to put in work with a dope verse to finish off the track!  I bet when Killer Mike heard the Jay parts on the song, there was an awkward conversation about whether or not Jay was lied to about who would actually be appearing on the track... but who cares this is Dungeon Family and The Roc on the same track!

Song:
"Hell Yeah (Remix)"- Dead Prez (ft. Jay Z) [2004]

How it got here:
This came out of nowhere.  The rappers who epitomize anti-establishment and anything mainstream letting the man who would go on to claim to not be a businessman, but a BUSINESS, MAN, together on the same track?  As a Jay Z fan, I was so happy he didn't embarass himself.  In fact he went there with the criticism of the land he loves.

Song:
"Get Throwed"- Bun B (ft. Pimp C/Young Jeezy/Jay Z/Z-Ro) [2005]

How it got here:
I'm sure all Bun B had to do was play the first couple of notes of "Big Pimpin" (another Jay Z and Timbaland track) in order to convince Jay Z that he owed him one.  And once again this verse doesn't come off like Jay Z just showing up because he owed a friend a favour.

Song:
"Watchu Want"- The Notorious B.I.G. (ft. Jay Z) [2005]

How it got here:
Not only is this a great verse by Jay Z but it was two verses from Biggie I hadn't already heard.  Unfortunately everyone thought this was some kind of Joe Budden diss at the time and it distracted from the main point that this was another song with Brooklyn's Finest.

Song:
"Pressure"- Lupe Fiasco (ft. Jay Z) [2006]

How it got here:
This verse grew on me.  It was a sparse flow as far as I was concerned but I guess that's just because I was supposed to be listening to the words and enjoying the extended metaphors and in general love for hip hop.  Plus this was new to the game Lupe before he was mad at everyone for everything and forgetting to make dope music.

Song:
"I Get Money (Forbes Remix)"- 50 Cent (ft. Diddy & Jay Z) [2007]

How it got here:
To be honest, this isn't the best Jay Z verse even though it did seem to get under LL Cool J's skin what with the Billie G.O.A.T. talk, however, having a legitimate Jay Z, Puff Daddy, and 50 Cent collaboration on the books is special enough for me.   And he did it while Kanye was releasing an album!

-YG