Jay-Z’s Collaborative Path to No. 1

The Run This Town Edition Jay-Z may have created a Blueprint for rap, but female collaborators were key to Hova’s path to the top of the charts. We're sorry, but something went wrong while fetching your podcast feeds. Please contact us at plus@slate.com for help. Episode Notes Jay-Z recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut Reasonable Doubt with a three-night residency at Yankee Stadium featuring superstar guests like Pharrell, Nas, Alicia Keys and, of course, Beyoncé. The marathon event was a tribute to one of rap’s most influential and successful icons—but it was also a reminder that many of Jay-Z’s biggest hits were collaborations that showcased the talents of other—often women—artists. Join Chris Molanphy as he traces the decades-long history of Hova’s hitmaking, and how he deftly sought the assistance of female collaborators to push his biggest songs to No. 1. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis. Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for bonus episodes of “The Bridge” and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen.