I love this sample so much, that I've included two versions of it, just for the heck of it. Ever since the very beginning, JAY Z has had a penchant for picking out samples, perfectly blending originals with the readymade in a highly personalized. Blessed with a catchy and sentimental piano riff, Ski turned this one into a classic, and a track that rests happily in my top 3. Produced by Ski, 'Dead Presidents' featured an excellent jazz cut by legend Lonnie Liston Smith. Celebrating 25 years of Jay-Zs classic debut album Reasonable Doubt with a mix of blends, original samples, remixes & rarities. One of my personal favorites on this one has gotta be the sample(s) used on 'Dead Presidents II'. The mafioso/luxury sound of Reasonable Doubt was built on some really catchy soul and jazz, as well as contemporary rap giants like LL, Tribe, Snoop and yes, Nas. The samples fully bring that sentiment out. Heres your essential guide to all things factual about JAY-Z, including his award wins, wealth, collaborations, albums and more. Released exclusively via Tidal on the 20th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt, the 25th of June 2016, the 35 minute film features exclusive interviews with major players behind Jay’s 1996 debut. There's no denying that this album has some certified bangers and classics. 44 Awesome JAY-Z Facts That Will Blow Your Mind. But putting this sample set together has kind of pulled me back into the debate. DJ Clark Kent kills it with his sample of Hamilton Bohannons Save Their Soul, and Jay swaps drug references for lines about corrupting his neighborhood in. Since then, I've kinda leaned towards ya boy Nasir. And speaking of Brooklyn’s Finest, the second version of Brooklyn’s Finest, the first one being the solo Jay-Z version, then the next version is the original version with Biggie Smalls, is different than. as that was the start of the verse from the original song, and Jay-Z kept it. At one point in my life, I thought that Reasonable Doubt was a better album than Illmatic. That is why Jay-Z raps no more mister, nice guy.