Say it ain’t so! This is truly the end of an era.

On November 28, 2003, Jay-Z will release his final album. At a press conference held at New York's Madison Square Garden, Jay-Z said "What I tried to do with The Black Album was just you know re-focus that energy to make it from I guess '88 to '94, to the time I got into the music business. I mean even though, you know, I am who I am, like it's told from that perspective. I try to take that take on it. Try to, you know, recapture that energy." Helping him out on this album are producers Rick Rubin (he started Def Jam out of a college dorm room with Russell Simmons), Just Blaze and Kanye West (who recently signed to Roc-A-Fella as an artist). Don’t expect any guest appearances though. This album will be classic Jay-Z, doing his dirt all by his lonely.

Jay-Z will end his career with a marketing bang. On November 25, he will hold a benefit concert at The Garden with the proceeds going toward the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund and Russell Simmon’s Hip Hop Summit Action Network (they will use the money to register voters). In the spring look for his autobiography The Black Book to drop. He is also about to launch the black version of his Reebok signature sneaker, The S. Carter.

After releasing nine consecutive multi-platinum albums and selling more than 20 million units, the multiple Grammy winner will be missed. After all, who doesn’t remember the first time they heard “Ain’t No N***a” or “Can’t Knock The Hustle” from his 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt. Jigga was a star from the jump. From there he followed with 1997's Vol. 1...In My Lifetime, 1998's Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life, 2000's Vol. 3...The Life and Times of S. Carter and The Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000, 2001's Blueprint and Unplugged, 2002's The Best of Both Worlds (with R. Kelly) and Blueprint 2: The Gift and the Curse.

While he will make guest appearances with other artists from time to time, Jay-Z says this will be his last full length album (I guess we’ll have to wait and see). In the meantime, he will to concentrate on being a businessman. Some of his ventures include Roc-A-Fella Records, which he started in 1995 with partners Damon Dash and Kareem Burke. Originally distributed by Priority Records before moving to current home Def Jam/Universal, The Roc is home to Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Freeway, M.O.P. and Cam’ron & The Diplomats to name a few. Jay-Z also has the Roc-A-Wear clothing line, Roc-A-Films (State Property & Paid In Full) and Armadale Vodka. I’m sure his mind will have plenty to concentrate on now that he doesn’t have to go to the studio (though I’m sure he will anyway).

Jay will truly be missed and no matter what he does or where he goes… the Streets Is Watchin’!

Holla!