Jay-Z's 25 Greatest Rides Moments

Yo, them shit's even got leathers?

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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There are other rappers who are more well-known car enthusiasts, but none have done more to push the culture ahead rides-wise than Young Hov. From Vol. 2's iconic drop-top Bentley Azure, to the gloriously ostentatious yacht party in "Big Pimpin", to coining the term "clearport," it's indisputable that Jay has driven some of the hottest cars the game has ever seen, and dropped some of the slickest ride references the game has ever heard. This is the guy who once made having E-Z passes sound like a symbol of wealth and exclusivity.

You can push the latest Mercedes-Benz or you can hop your ass out that S-Class and lay back in the Maybach. Let Jay-Z show you how to do this, son. Just don't ask him what the difference between a 4.0 and a 4.6 is. Click through for Jay-Z's Greatest Rides Moments.

Written by Frazier Tharpe (@The_SummerMan)

Related: Kanye West's 25 Greatest Car Moments

25. "Excuse Me Miss" Video

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Year: 2003
Ride:
Private Jet with S. Carter stenciled on the side

Before he actually owned his own PJ, Hov introduced the world to the term "clearport" in grand fashion during the "Excuse Me Miss" visual.

24. The Hovacade in the "Izzo" Video

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Year: 2001
Ride:
Mercedes G-Wagen

Jay's on his presidential steez in the "Izzo" video, riding centerpiece in a Roc-a-fella motorcade like royalty, before gliding through on his own parade float later.

23. The Roc Chop Shop in the "Change the Game" Video

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Year: 2001
Ride:
Various Suzuki, Honda, etc. motorcycles

Remember when rap videos had random ass settings such as this one? There's no real reason for "Change the Game" to take place in a chop shop, but there's Jay, stunting in front of a room full of top tier bikes, while various models manage to look hot in mechanic jump suits, and Bleek and Beans zip through the streets. Is this foreshadowing for Roc Nation Auto?

22. "Is That Your Chick"

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21. "Roc-a-fella Billionaires"

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20. "On to the Next One" Video

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Year: Debuted 2010
Ride:
Jaguar XJ

Never one to pass up an opportunity to cross-brand, Jay struck a deal with Jaguar to display the upcoming 2011 XJ in his video for "On to the Next One." As one of his more interesting clips, "On to the Next" isn't content to feature simplistic car-porn close-ups, instead Hov tags it with the then ubiquitous Blueprint 3 sigil and works it into the framework of the haunting, gothic visual.

19. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" Video

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Year: 2002
Ride:
C1 Corvette, Aston Martin

Jay and Bey are fugitive lovers on the run from Lance Reddick in the video for their We're Dating announcement, eluding law enforcement in style, starting in a first-model Corvette and later in a plush Aston Martin, all while Beyonce chucks up the Roc and mean mugs on full Ride or Die mode.

18. "In My Lifetime (Remix)" Video

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Year: 1995
Ride:
Speedboat

When Puff was in that tub spillin Mo, Jay was at his video with Ace Cris on a speedboat. Even today, but especially in '95, this is high-level flossing for one's debut video. Go through your research.

17. "Big Pimpin" Video

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Year: 1999
Ride:
Huge Yacht

This was a moment in hip-hop decadence. If the Bentley Azure was the flagship vehicle for Vol. 2..., then the yacht in the "Big Pimpin" video serves as the symbol for the following volume, and the progression of Jay-Z's vehicular stunt game. Everything about this video is iconic, from Dame Dash's endless Cristal waterfalls, Jay-Z's bucket hats, down to the extraordinary model selection. And the bulk of it takes place aboard this palatial yacht, which has become a quintessential reference when discussing Jay's videography.

16. Yachting with Beyonce

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15. "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" Video

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Year: 2009
Ride:
1960s Mercedes-Benz

A video that later goes on to boast appearances from the likes of Harvey Keitel and LeBron starts off with one of the best music video cameos ever when Jay pulls up in an early model Benz chauffeured by none other than Lyor freaking Cohen. This is one of those simple, stand around and rap videos but is there really a need to do more when one of the most powerful men in hip-hop agrees to play chauffeur for a scene?

14. Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life Album Cover

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13. "Ain't No Nigga"

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Year: 1996
Ride Reference: Ferrari 512TR

At first glance, most people would probably tell you that this is a Ferrari Testarossa. That's a good guess, but it's also an incorrect guess. Jay is driving a 512TR, the successor to the Testarossa, which is why you see that signature multi-line scoop on the side of the car. This car cost more than $200,000 and had 428 bhp. 

12. Beyonce's Father's Day Gift

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11. Reasonable Doubt 10th Anniversary Concert

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10. Beyonce's Birthday Gift

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9. "Maybach Music"

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8. "Show Me What You Got" Video

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Year: 2006
Rides:
Ferrari F430 Spider, Pagani Zonda, Speedboat

It seems like the masses have since come around regarding Jay's polarizing lead single from his universally loathed "comeback" album, but back in 2006, people let their hate for the song sweep this otherwise awesome video under the rug. Much was made of Jay's carefree demeanor in the "Otis" video, but look at how much fun he's having here, riding shotgun while Dale and Danica race with reckless abandon through the beautiful streets of Monaco, then splashing hotties in an impromptu speedboat race. High-speed car chases? Dimes in speed boats? Monaco?? A secret lair only accessible by boat? When did Jay-Z became James Bond?

7. "Imaginary Player"

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Year: 1997
Ride Reference:
"You pull up in your 4.0 with your bitch. I pull up in my 4.6 with my bitch. Bumping some other shit. You'll probably hop on my dick right there, right in front of your bitch, asking me some stupid shit like 'Yo dog, what's the difference between a 4.0 and a 4.6?' Like 30 to 40 grand cocksucker, beat it. 'Yo them shits even got leathers?'"

Jay-Z has always been one to remind you that he flosses on a higher level, and "Imaginary Player" is a casually rapped mission statement to that effect, but he's never sonned his peers worse than on this taunting track, particularly the end skit, which every self-respecting rap fan knows every single word to. It's not enough for this guy to operate on another level, he can't even be bothered to educate those poor souls hoping to catch up.

Remembering this classic exchange is probably what made Ricky Rozay stop short of asking what the difference is between a 57 and a 62 S while recording "Maybach Music."

6. Originating the Maybach Craze

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5. "99 Problems"

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Year: 2004
Ride Reference:
The entire second verse discussing getting pulled over, including "'Son do you know why I'm stopping you for?" Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low. Do I look like a mind reader, sir, I don't know."

One of Jay's most famous songs and famous verses, the lines in "99 Problems" directly bring into light the problem of racial profiling, rapping about how the cop was claiming to pull him over for doing one over the speed limit. Rapping about cars is something that happens everyday; bringing up social issues to present for commentary does not. 

4. "Lost One" video

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3. The "Jay-Z Blue" Denali

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2. The ThroneMobile

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Year: 2011
Ride Reference: Chopped-Up Maybach 57

The first video for Watch the Throne is also among the best clips Jay and Ye ever produced, together and solo. Matching the casual opulence detailed on the album, the instant-classic video features the Throne hollowing out a Maybach 57 then rebuilding and customizing it into a $350,000, flame-spitting go kart.

Basically, two of the game's richest rappers destroyed a car most would kill to have, just to do doughnuts in a lot with racially ambiguous models and Aziz Ansari riding shotgun. Why, you ask? Because they could.

1. Riding the Subway to the Barclays Center

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Year: 2012
Ride: The New York City subway 

We've just taken you through 24 different moments, almost all of which feature some extravagant yacht, rare ride or extremely expensive supercar. All of those lead up to this moment, when Jay-Z, instead of parking inside of the Barclays Center like we know he could, took the NYC subway to his final performance in Brooklyn. He kindly chatted up a 67-year-old named Ellen who didn't even recognize who he was. It doesn't get more incredible than that. 

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