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Rare is the opportunity to see two acts at the top of their musical genres, in the moment they're actually on top.

That's the immediate significance of Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z's "Heart of the City" tour, which stops in at Philips Arena on April 8.

Markus Klinko & Indrani (ENLARGE)
Mary J. Blige
(ENLARGE)
Jay-Z
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Blige made her debut declaring herself the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul, and 17 years later no one is denying her that crown. Jay-Z has had a similar ascent. In fact, in an arena where self-promoting bravado reigns, rappers rap about him being the greatest rapper alive.

Here's how hip-hop and R&B royalty happened — album by album.

JAY-Z

"Reasonable Doubt" (1996). Up there with Nas' "Illmatic" and Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready to Die" as one of the classic debuts in hip-hop. Atlanta rapper-actor T.I. writes in the foreword of "Rap Up: The Ultimate Guide to Hip-Hop and R&B" (by Cameron and Devin Lazerine): "Jay went over my head at first with 'Reasonable Doubt' ... But I did salute it. I appreciated it."

And it is on this — his most personal album — that he reveals qualities he's now revered for: cool, confidence, acrobatic delivery and incredible storytelling.

"In My Lifetime, Vol. 1" (1997). Riveting street hustler narratives are replaced by more obvious attempts at commercial success (partnering with then-Puff Daddy and Babyface?!) — to less acclaim.

"Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life" (1998). Back in stride again, the artist born Sean Carter gets the mainstream notice he sought on the previous CD (with the title track, courtesy of an "Annie" sample), and establishes his prowess as a hitmaker with a string of them on this album, including "Can I Get A ..." and "Money Ain't a Thang."

"Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter" (1999). Super-producers Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Rockwilder and DJ Premier all have a hand, and yet it only yielded two big singles ("Do It Again — Put Ya Hands Up," "Big Pimpin' ").

"The Blueprint" (2001). Legacy solidified. As the title boasts, this lays out many of the personas that work for Jay-Z: the hood hero ("Izzo," produced by then-newcomer Kanye West, "U Don't Know"); the hustler ("Jigga That [Expletive]"); the rare hip-hop guy who can admit he's hurt ("Song Cry"), and that there's a down side to hustling.

"The Black Album" (2003). The supposed adieu. And it would have been a great one, considering the highlights ("99 Problems," "Lucifer," "Encore," "Dirt Off Your Shoulder") this climbs.

"Kingdom Come" (2006). Even this too-long and uneven CD couldn't tarnish his shine.

"American Gangster" (2007). Jay-Z on coast — with some incredibly soulful samples — is still better than 99% of his peers.

MARY J. BLIGE

"What's the 411?" (1992). Slang for "What's up?" or "What's happening?" The answer in this case may be: a swift change in R&B. It was on this multimillion-selling debut — and its hit singles ("Real Love," "Reminisce," "Love No Limit," "I Don't Want to Do Anything," "Sweet Thing," the title track) — that the world was introduced to Chaka Khan-like soul singing over gritty, hip-hop rhythms.

"My Life" (1994). The kind of album people still want her to make, even though she frequently proclaims she has moved far away from the beautiful misery illustrated here.

"Share My World" (1997). Much less sad, and much more confident, songs like the title track, "I Can Love You" and "Not Gon' Cry" only affirm that Blige is a strong person and singer.

"Mary" (1999). Blige moves from strong to sophisticated, teaming up with Elton John on "Deep Inside" and Lauryn Hill on "All That I Can Say."

"No More Drama" (2001). In no way a big album, but the title track — made even more dramatic with a sample from the soap opera "Young and the Restless" — may very well have become her anthem.

"Love & Life" (2003). After great success with rapper Method Man on their first Grammy winner "I'll Be There For You," the fireworks are few on their leadoff single for this album, "Love @ 1st Sight." (And the rest of it hardly pops either.)

"The Breakthrough" (2005). An apt title. "People weren't believing I could come back," she told the AJC. "They wanted me to put out a greatest hits album." Instead, she teams up with Atlanta hitmakers (Bryan-Michael Cox, Johnta Austin, Sean Garrett, the Clutch) who give her the biggest song, and album, of her career.

"Growing Pains" (2007). Her return debuts atop the pop charts; and they haven't even released her single with Usher ("Shakedown") yet.

• THE 411: Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z. $49.75 to $150.75. 7:30 p.m. April 8 at Philips Arena, One Philips Drive. 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com.