Vinyl pressings
by Jay-Z · 2003
The Black Album was first pressed on vinyl in 2003. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 2003, the album's first year. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
B0001528-01-LP01-A TD MASTERDISKSide A - Variant 1
B0001528-01-LP01-B-RE1 2Side B - Variant 1
TD B0001528-01-LP02-A MASTERDISKSide C - Variant 1
B0001528-01-LP02-BSide D - Variant 1
B0001528-01-LP01-A IV MASTERDISK TDSide A - Variant 1
B000152801-B WC/NRPSide B - Variant 1
B0001528-01-LP02-A SET II Ⓤ MASTERDISK TDSide C - Variant 1
B0001528-01-LP02-BSide D - Variant 1
MASTERDISK TD DEFF-15974-1-ARecord1, Side 2
DEFF-15974-1-BRecord 1, Side 2
MASTERDISK TD DEFF-15975-1-ARecord 2, Side 1
DEFF-15975-1-BRecord 2, Side 2
JAYZACCA01 ASide A
JAYZACCA01 BSide B
JAYZACCA01 CSide C
JAYZACCA01 DSide D
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records DEFF 15970-1First yearLP, Promo, Album · Promo | LP, Promo, Album · Promo |
| 2003 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records DEFF-15974-1 / Roc-A-Fella Records DEFF-15975-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 2003 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records JAYZACCA01First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 2003 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0001528-01First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2003 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0001528-01First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2006 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0001528-01LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0001528-01LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | US | Roc-A-Fella Records B0001528-01LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | Europe | Roc-A-Fella Records 00602498611234LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Roc-A-Fella Records JZRBLP01LP, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | LP, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of The Black Album are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 2003 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 2003, in US. One of them is Roc-A-Fella Records B0001528-01, released November 14, 2003.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use B0001528-01, DEFF 15970-1, DEFF-15974-1, JAYZACCA01) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B0001528-01-LP01-A TD MASTERDISK and B0001528-01-LP01-B-RE1 2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
