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JAY-Z & Biggie Battled But It Wasn’t A Fair Fight

JAY-Z & Biggie Battled But It Wasn’t A Fair Fight

For more than 25 years, Hip-Hop fans have debated who is better between The Notorious B.I.G. and JAY-Z. Both men’s names are perennially heard in conversations about who is the greatest MC of all-time. For them, however, there was something bigger than Hip-Hop: Brooklyn. Fans have not been the only... Read more
July 9, 2023 Food for Thought, Throwback
JAY-Z Says Every Word In His DJ Khaled Verse Is Actual Fact

JAY-Z Says Every Word In His DJ Khaled Verse Is Actual Fact

Less than one week ago, JAY-Z dropped not only one of the finest Rap verses of 2022, but a benchmark set of bars within a legendary career. Hours after "GOD DID" arrived Friday (August 26) on DJ Khaled's album of the same name, associates of JAY-Z, including his engineer, A&R,... Read more
September 1, 2022 Audio, Fresh
Irv Gotti Describes The Night Nas Stood Up JAY-Z

Irv Gotti Describes The Night Nas Stood Up JAY-Z

Irv Gotti has been a close associate of JAY-Z for decades. As a DJ, producer, and record executive, the New Yorker worked with Jay during his ascent to stardom. In 1995, DJ Irv produced "Time To Build" for his artist Mic Geronimo. The song from The Natural featured JAY-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule.... Read more
August 8, 2022 Video
JAY-Z’s Lawsuit Against Jonathan Mannion Could Change Photography Forever

JAY-Z’s Lawsuit Against Jonathan Mannion Could Change Photography Forever

Several weeks ago, JAY-Z celebrated 25 years since releasing his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Amid the fanfare is a lawsuit against the photographer for the artwork of the Roc-A-Fella Records LP. Jonathan Mannion was behind the lens for the black-and-white photograph of Shawn Carter in the tailored suit, scarf, and cigar.... Read more
July 6, 2021 Video
LL Cool J & JAY-Z Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

LL Cool J & JAY-Z Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class has been decided, and Hip-Hop has reason to rejoice. After six previous attempts, LL Cool J will enter the hallowed halls today (May 12). Meanwhile, in his first time on the ballot, JAY-Z will be joining his former Def Jam Records... Read more
May 12, 2021 News
Memphis Bleek Recalls A Wild Story About JAY-Z’s Early Stash Of Cash (Video)

Memphis Bleek Recalls A Wild Story About JAY-Z’s Early Stash Of Cash (Video)

Under the watchful eye of JAY-Z, Dame Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Roc-A-Fella Records first opened its doors in the mid-1990s. At the onset, Jay was the star of his own label. However, as the label expanded, Memphis Bleek—a Marcy Projects neighbor would be among the early additions to the... Read more
January 18, 2020 Video
JAY-Z Reveals He And Prodigy Made Peace Before His Death (Video)

JAY-Z Reveals He And Prodigy Made Peace Before His Death (Video)

While the JAY-Z vs. Nas battle of the early 2000s may be the one that gets the most ink in the history books, Hov's beef with late Mobb Deep MC Prodigy is one of legend too. From Summer Jam photo reveals to disses on both sides, these two artists had... Read more
September 7, 2017 Video
Jay Z Becomes The First Rapper In The Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Jay Z Becomes The First Rapper In The Songwriters Hall Of Fame

While Jay Z is a man of many "firsts" on the business side, his artistry is what allowed him to be in that position. All 15 of Jay's solo and collaborative albums are platinum, in many cases multiple. He has 13 #1 releases, including his 2004 Collision Course EP with... Read more
February 22, 2017 News, Video
DJ Clark Kent Details How In Awe Biggie Was Of Jay Z When They Met (Video)

DJ Clark Kent Details How In Awe Biggie Was Of Jay Z When They Met (Video)

DJ Clark Kent is one of the people who was incredibly close to The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay Z at the same time. In the mid-1990s, Clark was working tightly with Jay on Reasonable Doubt. Years after the former Dana Dane DJ and longtime radio personality first heard Jay lyrics... Read more
October 18, 2016 Video
Skyzoo Brilliantly Exacts “Revenge” On Jay Z On “Friend Or Foe Pt. 3″ (Audio)

Skyzoo Brilliantly Exacts “Revenge” On Jay Z On “Friend Or Foe Pt. 3″ (Audio)

Crown Heights Brooklyn MC Skyzoo grew up not far from the Marcy Houses that raised Jay Z. Although the two lyricists are more than a dozen years apart in age, S-K-Y always vocalized just how much S.Carter inspired his art and style. The extended, nasal bars, emphasis on brands and... Read more
June 30, 2016 Audio
This 20th Anniversary Jay Z Mix Leaves No Doubt His Debut Was A Classic (Audio)

This 20th Anniversary Jay Z Mix Leaves No Doubt His Debut Was A Classic (Audio)

This Saturday (June 25) marks the 20th anniversary of Jay Z's debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The 1996 Roc-A-Fella/Priority Records LP would launch a career trajectory that has arguably been one of Hip-Hop's biggest, transcending from the Marcy Houses to the top of Hip-Hop, as well as streaming platforms, fashion, liquor,... Read more
June 21, 2016 Mixes, Throwback
DJ Premier Gives The Inside Story On The Making Of Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt 20 Years Later

DJ Premier Gives The Inside Story On The Making Of Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt 20 Years Later

Twenty years ago, Jay Z had a hustler's ambition of releasing an album and then walking away. His lifestyle already afforded the finer things in life, so he was not making the music for the money. Rather, in his 26 years of life, he had accumulated some formidable stories that he... Read more
June 13, 2016 Food for Thought
Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt vs. Ice Cube’s Death Certificate. Which Is Better?

Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt vs. Ice Cube’s Death Certificate. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more
December 9, 2015 Finding the GOAT
Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt vs. Compton’s Most Wanted’s Music To Driveby. Which Is Better?

Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt vs. Compton’s Most Wanted’s Music To Driveby. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more
November 10, 2015 Finding the GOAT
19 Years Ago Today Jay-Z & Biggie Smalls Showed Why They Were Brooklyn’s Finest (Audio)

19 Years Ago Today Jay-Z & Biggie Smalls Showed Why They Were Brooklyn’s Finest (Audio)

Although it was never a Reasonable Doubt single, "Brooklyn's Finest" helped make Jay Z's debut album a milestone album. Released 19 years ago today (June 25, 1996) the moment would serve as the first collaboration between Jay and his fellow George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School attendee, The... Read more
June 25, 2015 Throwback
Can You Knock The Hustle?… Jay Z Pulls Reasonable Doubt From Spotify, Onto Tidal

Can You Knock The Hustle?… Jay Z Pulls Reasonable Doubt From Spotify, Onto Tidal

Jay Z's 1996 debut Reasonable Doubt is a very special jewel in the artist-turned-mogul's treasure chest. The album that cemented Jay's status as a renowned lyricist has been a touchstone in his career ever since. There were 10th anniversary Radio City Music Hall concerts, a lot of Decoded real estate... Read more
April 6, 2015 News
DJ Clark Kent Says There Are No Lies On Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt (Video)

DJ Clark Kent Says There Are No Lies On Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt (Video)

After a titillating first chapter, Hip-Hop Wired returns with a second segment of "Off The Record" with DJ Clark Kent. HHW's Aqua Boogie asks Clark about a more obscure cut, in Mad Skillz' (n/k/a Skillz) 1995 single, "Move Ya Body." Interestingly enough, while LL Cool J had hoped to swack... Read more
September 22, 2014 Fresh, Throwback
Jay Z Originally Had More Songs Planned For Reasonable Doubt & A Different Sequence?

Jay Z Originally Had More Songs Planned For Reasonable Doubt & A Different Sequence?

Jay Z's 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt, has made an immortal impression on Hip-Hop. The Roc-A-Fella Records breakthrough release featured involvement from The Notorious B.I.G., DJ Premier, Ski Beatz, and Mary J. Blige. Now platinum, the album is still considered Jay's best (including by the artist himself), and spawned many... Read more
January 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback
How Would You Rank Jay Z’s Albums? Hov Weighs in on His Own Catalog.

How Would You Rank Jay Z’s Albums? Hov Weighs in on His Own Catalog.

Jay Z celebrated his birthday in style. The 44 year-old blogged on his Life + Times his favorite albums from his own personal catalog. The first three may not come as a surprise, given Jay's tackling the question in interviews for some time now. However, Jay's admission of the miss... Read more
December 4, 2013 Fresh
Sometimes I Rap Fast, Sometimes I Rap Slow: The Evolution Of JAY-Z’s Flow (Food For Thought)

Sometimes I Rap Fast, Sometimes I Rap Slow: The Evolution Of JAY-Z’s Flow (Food For Thought)

As another NFL season loads up, the sports news cycle is dominated by teams, offenses, depth charts and injury reports. Although not a fan (au contraire), I often marvel at the dynamic strategies of Bill Bellichick, Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots. From season-to-season, the three-time Super Bowl champions... Read more
August 25, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh
It’s been 15 years since Jay-Z’s timeless Reasonable Doubt album was released.

It’s been 15 years since Jay-Z’s timeless Reasonable Doubt album was released.

To commemorate the anniversary, Philadelphia's DJ Colby Colb just released this rare Jay-Z interview and Criminology freestyle from '95, 10 months before he dropped Reasonable Doubt. Check it out. Also, if you missed it, check out this article discussing what might have been if Reasonable Doubt was a mixtape instead... Read more
June 29, 2011 Audio
Jay-Z has helped put on a LOT of producers. Very few can say they helped put him on. Ski Beatz is one of them…

Jay-Z has helped put on a LOT of producers. Very few can say they helped put him on. Ski Beatz is one of them…

The latest installment of our Producer Series is dedicated to the music of the legendary Ski Beatz. If you like Reasonable Doubt-era Jay-Z and Curren$y's Pilot Talk series, this one is for you. Ski Beatz was one of the primary sonic architects of all those projects. He also did one... Read more
June 3, 2011 Audio, Playlists