Which Jay-Z album helped establish Kanye West as a major producer?

Jay-Z’s *The Blueprint* helped establish Kanye West as a major producer.

Released on September 11, 2001, *The Blueprint* was Jay-Z’s sixth studio album and featured a soul-sampling production style that stood apart from much of the keyboard-driven hip-hop then dominating radio. West produced four of its thirteen tracks, including “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “Takeover.”

The album’s critical acclaim and commercial impact made West and fellow producer Just Blaze two of hip-hop’s most celebrated new production talents. Its success also helped West secure a larger role at Roc-A-Fella Records; he signed with the label as a recording artist in 2002 before launching his solo career.

A common mix-up is choosing *Reasonable Doubt*, Jay-Z’s debut album, because it is historically important. However, *The Blueprint* is the Jay-Z project specifically associated with West’s breakthrough as a producer and with the early-2000s revival of sample-based soul production.