To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Jay-Z’s Black Album, Roc-A-Fella will re-release the classic jerseys Hova helped to popularize in the early 2000s.
Roc-A-Fella Records and Mitchell & Ness have teamed up to release a variety of the New York Knicks-styled Shawn Carter jerseys Jay-Z wore for the release of his 2003 album that served as his retirement at the time.
“Originally released in 2003 to celebrate JAY-Z’s career and forthcoming semi-retirement, the Roc-A-Fella Records x Mitchell & Ness Authentic Jersey is now available in its original and re-imagined variation,” the company shared on Instagram.
Mitchell & Ness shared a few additional posts announcing the limited-edition collection.
“Mitchell & Ness is proud to reintroduce the Authentic Roc-A-Fella Records Jersey in collaboration with rap legend, @JAYZ,” they captioned one post.
“For its 20th anniversary, we are only releasing 2003 of each style of these iconic New York collector’s pieces. Shop the NY colorway from the limited-edition release now.”
Images showed a model posing for photos in the jersey outside Jay-Z’s hometown in Brooklyn, NY’s Marcy Projects.
“The 20th Anniversary of The Black Album. Immortalize one of the most quintessential albums and artists in history with the reimagined @Rocnation x @JAYZ jersey,” the company captioned a third post.
The Black Album was released in November 2003 and served as Jay-Z’s retirement announcement. Meant to be Hova’s final rap album at the time, the 14-track LP went on to be regarded as one of the rapper’s best albums.
With classics like “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “Change Clothes,” and “Encore,” the album sold 3.5 million copies in the States and became Jay-Z’s sixth consecutive number-one on the Billboard 200. Despite his announced retirement, The Black Album‘ commercial and critical success instead furthered his influence in hip-hop and solidified his status as one of the G.O.A.T.s.
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