JAY-Z dropped his landmark album at the same time he was beefing with Nas. A poll by New York radio station Hot 97 found that Nas beat out JAY-Z, 58 percent to 42 percent.

It was a few years later JAY-Z moved to become president of Def Jam, which made Nas an artist under JAY.

The Blueprint gave birth to hits, “The Takeover”, “Song Cry,” the Eminem featured track, “Renegade,” and “Heart of the City.”