38. Jay-Z f/ Jermaine Dupri "Money Ain't A Thang" (1998)

Producer: Jermaine Dupri
Album: Life In 1472 / Vol 2...Hard Knock Life
Label: Roc-A-Fella Def Jam / So So Def/Columbia


In the summer of 1998, Jay linked with Jermaine Dupri for the radio-ready “Money Ain't A Thang,” which owned the airwaves thanks to Jay's flossy flow and that patented So So Def bell-banging beat. Admit it, when you first heard this tune you tried to switch four lanes in your Mom's minivan, didn't you?

This feel-good ode to excess was the perfect setup for Jay's third (and highest selling) album to date, Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life. Jay's first verse also landed him a spot in the coveted “Hip-Hop Quotable” section of The Source. Meanwhile one of his lines from his second verse, “Said she loved my necklace, started relaxing/Now that's what the fuck I call a chain reaction” remains one of Jigga's most memorable quips. Over a decade later, money still ain't a thang for Jay as he's planking on $37 million. The jury is still out on Jermaine though.