A rap song might not seem like the most conventional choice for the top of the best rock song list, but Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” is a perfect fit.
Rolling Stone has named “99 Problems” number eight on the list of the top 200 “Greatest Rock Songs of the 21st Century” so far.
Produced by Rick Rubin, “99 Problems” was released in 2003. The song, which won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, addresses racial profiling and rap critics.
This is not the first “Greatest” list in which “99 Problems” has been featured. In Rolling Stone’s top 100 songs of the ‘00s, “99 Problems” came in at Number 2, and in the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, it was ranked at 172.
The publication explains that “Rick Rubin moved away from hip-hop in the Nineties to work with rock acts like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty, and Slayer. He didn’t leave that hard-rock spirit behind when he returned to his roots in 2003 for Jay-Z’s ‘99 Problems.’”
The story Jay-Z tells in “99 Problems” is based on a real incident from his younger years. The rapper recalls being pulled over by the cops and, though he had drugs in the car, that is not why the cop pulls him over. Instead, the police officer stopped him solely for being black.
He explains in an interview with NPR, “But we get pulled over for absolutely nothing. We’re wrong. The cop is wrong. This conversation ensues, and it’s racial undertones. And he says: Are you – do you have a gun on you, like a lot of you are?”
Famously, the song uses a line borrowed from Ice-T’s song of the same name. The original song is more vulgar, dealing with sex and relationships. The main hook, “99 problems but a b—-h ain’t one,” stemmed from a conversation between Ice-T and Brother Marquis, who was featured on the song.
While on Big Boy’s Neighborhood radio show, Ice-T said he had a confrontation about the line at the 2023 Grammys.
“I’m at the Grammys, and Jay-Z comes to me. He says, ‘Ice, you know I love you, right?’” Ice-T recalled. “I say, ‘Yeah!’ He says, ‘Well, it’s on the internet that you mad.’ I said, ‘I’m not mad! They’re bringing up all kinds of interviews about it, and they asked me the story, and I told them the true story.’”
Ice-T says he pointed out that there could have been a more direct shoutout to the Law & Order: SVU star.
“But I said, ‘Yo, well, you know, when you did ’99 Problems,’ at the end of the record, you could’ve said, ‘Ice!’ You could’ve given me a little dap or something!’ I said, ‘But I’m not mad at it. What had happened was people wanted to know the story.”
It isn’t just Ice-T who this song borrows from. Rock artists like Mountain and Billy Squier are sampled on the track, helping provide the beat and turning this song into an unassuming rock classic.
Fans will likely be able to hear “99 Problems” on television in front of millions in February, since Jay-Z has officially been named the Super Bowl 61 Halftime performer.
After seven years of collaboration between Jay-Z’s company, Roc Nation, and the NFL, the “Empire State of Mind” singer finally agreed to perform. In a statement, Jay-Z said, “Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world’s biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true.”
Jay-Z will perform at the Super Bowl 61 halftime show on February 14th, 2027.
Next: Jay-Z Confirms He Is Officially the Super Bowl 61 Half-Time Performer.
