Editing Jay-Z (section)

===2003–2005: ''The Black Album'' and initial retirement===
[[File:Jay-Z-02-mika.jpg|thumb|Jay-Z in 2003]]
After visiting the south of France,<ref name="retirement">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456354/20020730/story.jhtml|title=Jay-Z Returns From European Vacation, Ready To Hit Studio|date=July 30, 2002|first=Saheem|last=Reid|access-date=May 21, 2024|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804000942/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456354/20020730/story.jhtml|archive-date=August 4, 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jay-Z announced work on his eighth studio album, ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]'' at the opening of the 40/40 Club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473274/20030625/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z Taking It 'Way Back to the Roots' On New Album|date=June 25, 2003|first=Shaeem|last=Reid|access-date=May 21, 2024|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030627173653/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473274/20030625/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=June 27, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> He worked with several producers including [[Just Blaze]], [[The Neptunes]], [[Kanye West]], [[Timbaland]], [[Eminem]], [[DJ Quik]], [[9th Wonder]], [[The Buchanans (production team)|The Buchanans]], and [[Rick Rubin]]. Notable songs on the album included "[[What More Can I Say]]", "[[Dirt off Your Shoulder]]", "[[Change Clothes]]", and "[[99 Problems]]". ''The Black Album'' has sold over 3&nbsp;million copies in the U.S.<ref name="riaacertification"/>

On November 25, 2003, Jay-Z held a concert—billed as a "retirement party" at [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York City]], which was later the focus of his 2004 documentary, ''[[Fade to Black (documentary)|Fade to Black]]''. All proceeds went to charity. Other performers included collaborators [[the Roots]] (in the form of his backing band), [[Missy Elliott]], [[Memphis Bleek]], [[Beanie Siegel]], Freeway, [[Mary J. Blige]], Beyoncé, [[Twista]], [[Ghostface Killah]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], [[Pharrell Williams]] and R. Kelly, with appearances by Voletta Wallace and [[Afeni Shakur]], the mothers of [[the Notorious B.I.G.]] and [[Tupac Shakur]], respectively.<ref name="retireparty">{{cite magazine|last1=Hoard|first1=Christian|title=Jay-Z Rocks the Garden|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-rocks-the-garden-20031126|access-date=June 28, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 26, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710224814/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-rocks-the-garden-20031126|archive-date=July 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> While Jay-Z had attested to a retirement from making new studio albums, various side projects and appearances soon followed. Included in these were a greatest hits record, as well as the release and tour of ''[[Unfinished Business (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album)|Unfinished Business]]'', the second collaborative album between Jay-Z and R. Kelly.

In 2004, Jay-Z collaborated with rock group [[Linkin Park]], in which they released their collaborative [[Remix album|remix]] [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Collision Course (EP)|Collision Course]]'', which featured [[Mashup (music)|mashups]] of both artists' songs, as well as a concert DVD. The album's only single, "[[Numb/Encore]]", went on to win a [[Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]], and was performed with Linkin Park live at the Grammys, with a special appearance by [[Paul McCartney]], who added verses from the song "[[Yesterday (Beatles song)|Yesterday]]". The EP sold over 1&nbsp;million copies in the U.S.<ref name="riaacertification"/> Jay-Z was the executive producer of ''[[The Rising Tied]]'', the debut album of [[Fort Minor]], the hip hop [[side project]] of Linkin Park rapper [[Mike Shinoda]]. Jay-Z also planned to retire in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://watchloud.com/2015/01/02/15-years-later-jay-z-changed-direction-vol-3-life-times-s-carter/|title=Jay Z retires in 2004|last=Fairfax|first=Jesse|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012080011/http://watchloud.com/2015/01/02/15-years-later-jay-z-changed-direction-vol-3-life-times-s-carter/|archive-date=October 12, 2016}}</ref>

Later in 2004, Jay-Z was named president of Def Jam Records, which led to Jay-Z, Dash and Biggs selling their remaining interests in Roc-A-Fella Records and Jay-Z taking control of both of the companies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1494616/20041208/jay_z.jhtml|title=Jay-Z, Dame Dash Sell Roc-A-Fella Records; Jay Named Def Jam Prez|access-date=May 21, 2024|date=December 8, 2004|last=Hall|first=Rashaun|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211214320/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1494616/20041208/jay_z.jhtml|archive-date=December 11, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reportedly this major industry move was prompted by disagreements between Jay-Z and Dash as to what direction Roc-A-Fella could undertake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/news/profiles/17268/|title=Why Former Roc-A-Fella Records Partner Damon Dash Hates Mondays|access-date=August 15, 2009|date=June 12, 2006|last=Konigsberg|first=Eric|publisher=New York Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202102842/http://nymag.com/news/profiles/17268/|archive-date=February 2, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>