What is the name of Jay-Z's debut album?

Jay-Z’s debut album is Reasonable Doubt.

Released on June 25, 1996, Reasonable Doubt was the first studio album by Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z. It appeared through Roc-A-Fella Records, the independent label he co-founded with Damon Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, with distribution handled by Priority Records.

The album introduced Jay-Z’s detailed storytelling about ambition, street life, luxury, and moral uncertainty. Its production came from figures including DJ Premier, Ski, Clark Kent, and DJ Irv, while guest appearances included Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O, and The Notorious B.I.G. The title reflects the album’s recurring tension between confidence and doubt.

A common mix-up is choosing The Blueprint, which is one of Jay-Z’s most acclaimed albums but arrived later, in 2001. The Black Album was released in 2003, while Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life followed in 1998. Reasonable Doubt initially peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200, yet its reputation grew substantially and it was later certified platinum.