Reasonable Doubt

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

For a long time Jay-Z could not get a record deal, even though he had toured with Big Daddy Kane. He sold his tapes from his car, got a deal with Payday Records and left it again. Together with Damon Dash and Kareem Biggs Burke he founded Roc-A-Fella Records, in a cheap office on John Street. He recorded Reasonable Doubt at D&D Studios. The beats came from, among others, DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and the sessions were often a competition. On Brooklyn's Finest, the Notorious B.I.G. raps along, in a friendly duel in which neither of them had written down his lyrics.

The record was released on 25 June 1996. It revolves around mafia themes and raw lyrics about life as a hustler, and according to one writer he also tells what that life does to a person's peace of mind. Critics were positive and many hip hop fans still see this as his best work.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Can't Knock the Hustle (feat. Mary J. Blige)5:18Apple Music ↗
2. 2Politics As Usual3:41Apple Music ↗
3. 3Brooklyn's Finest (feat. The Notorious B.I.G.)4:36Apple Music ↗
4. 4Dead Presidents II4:26Apple Music ↗
5. 5Feelin' It (feat. Mecca)3:47Apple Music ↗
6. 6D'evils3:32Apple Music ↗
7. 722 Two's3:29Apple Music ↗
8. 8Can I Live4:09Apple Music ↗
9. 9Ain't No Nigga (feat. Foxy Brown)4:03Apple Music ↗
10. 10Friend Or Foe1:49Apple Music ↗
11. 11Coming of Age (feat. Memphis Bleek)3:59Apple Music ↗
12. 12Cashmere Thoughts2:57Apple Music ↗
13. 13Bring It On (feat. Big Jaz & Sauce Money)5:01Apple Music ↗
14. 14Regrets4:33Apple Music ↗
15. 15Can't Knock the Hustle (feat. Melissa Morgan) [Fool's Paradise Remix]4:43Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗