


For the album, Jay-Z wanted to enlist a different producer for each song, working with Just Blaze, Kanye West, The Neptunes, Eminem, DJ Quik, Timbaland, 9th Wonder and Rick Rubin, among others. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, which is also a recurring theme throughout the songs, although Jay-Z resumed his recording career in 2006.

It was released on November 14, 2003, through Roc-A-Fella Records and The Island Def Jam Music Group. The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z.
