Released on June 25, 1996, Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt is the true definition of a classic hip hop album. Though not a commercial success at the time of it’s release, it took approximately six years for Reasonable Doubt to reach platinum certification. It features production by, but not limited to, DJ Premier, Ski and Clark Kent; as well as guest vocals by Memphis Bleek, The Notorious B.I.G., Foxy Brown, and Mary J. Blige. Four singles were released from the album: “Dead Presidents,” “Ain’t No Nigga,” “Can’t Knock the Hustle” and “Feelin’ It“.

In a recent poll on this blog, Reasonable Doubt was voted as your favorite Jay-Z album. It is indeed one of my favorites. Jay has said himself that his upcoming project, American Gangster, will be a return to his Reasonable Doubt days. Let’s hope that Hov can pull that off. I think it’s possible, as The Blueprint and The Black Album are pretty damn close, in my opinion. As for now, let’s reminisce over a true classic. Here are the samples used in the production of Reasonable Doubt…

Used in:
“Can’t Knock The Hustle” (produced by The Hitmen)
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Interpolation:
“Fool’s Paradise” by Meli’sa Morgan
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Used in:
“Can’t Knock The Hustle” (produced by The Hitmen)
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Sample:
“Hurry Up This Way Again” by The Stylistics
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Used in:
“Politics as Usual” (produced by Ski)
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Sample:
“Ecstasy” by Ohio Players
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Used in:
“Brooklyn’s Finest” (produced by Clark Kent)
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Sample:
“A Garden of Peace” by Lonnie Liston Smith
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Used in:
“Dead Presidents II” (produced by Ski)
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Sample:
“The World Is Yours” by Nas
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Used in:
“Dead Presidents II” (produced by Ski)
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Sample:
“Oh My God (Remix)” by A Tribe Called Quest
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Used in:
“Dead Presidents II” (produced by Ski)
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Sample:
“Pastures” by Ahmad Jamal
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Used in:
“Feelin’ It” (produced by Ski)
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Sample:
“Go Back Home” by Allen Toussaint
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Used in:
“D’evils” (produced by DJ Premier)
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Sample:
“Murder Was The Case” by Snoop Doggy Dogg
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Used in:
“D’evils” (produced by DJ Premier)
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Sample:
“I Shot Ya (Remix)” by LL Cool J (sampled lyrics from verse by Prodigy)
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Used in:
“D’evils” (produced by DJ Premier)
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Interpolation:
“Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest
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Used in:
“22 Two’s” (produced by Ski)
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Sample:
“The Look of Love” by Isaac Hayes
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Used in:
“Can I Live” (produced by DJ Irv)
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Sample:
“Seven Minutes of Funk” by The Whole Darn Family
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Used in:
“Ain’t No” (produced by Big Jaz)
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Interpolation:
“Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got)” by The Four Tops
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Used in:
“Ain’t No” (produced by Big Jaz)
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Sample:
“It’s So Easy Loving You” by Hubert Laws & Earl Klugh
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Used in:
“Regrets” (produced by Peter Panic)
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Sample:
“Mother’s Day” by The 24-Carat Black
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Used in:
“Can I Live II” (produced by K-Rob)
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