Since nobody is actually answering, here:
it’s because he perfectly blended elite technical rap ability with song writing ability.
U don’t know, threat, to songs like ignorant shit, features like God Did, Drug Dealers Anonymous, the consistent theme is: rhyme patterns, metaphors, ACTUAL double entendres, introspection/depth, mixed with outrageous shit talking.
Then you got songs like lost ones, never change, no hook, 4:44, Marcy me which have all of those things above and more.
Ima be real tho if you’re a fan of rap and you hear these songs above and don’t see why people call him the greatest, you might not love rap music as much as you think you do.
yal gone hate me for this…but I really dnt see the hype over Jay-Z as a rapper… 😢