DJ Premier exclusively told RealTalkNY about VH1′s show reliving the making of Jay-Z’s debut album, “Reasonable Doubt.”
I spoke to Jay-Z recently, we did that VH1 special together, it should be coming out August or September. It’s called, “Classic Albums,” they relive the making of, “Reasonable Doubt,” and everybody came down, Foxy Brown, Jay-Z, Bleek, Irv Gotti, Clark Kent, and all the producers. Even though Biggie wasn’t there physically, he was there. We all just reunited and took it back to the past, and talked about going in the studio, big shout out to Hov.
Sounds like a classic show to watch, get your DVD recorders ready. What are your thoughts on, “Reasonable Doubt,” is it Jay-Z greatest album? Does it live up to all the prestige it receives?
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Its deff in the top 5 hip hop albums of all time
Reasonable doubt is a good album but it is overrated and def not top 5 maybe top 10
WELL JAY CLAIMS ITS HIS BEST ALBUM BUT I LIKE THE BLUEPRINT BETTER.
blueprint was good, but reasonable doubt was bananas…the wordplay was seriously ahead of its time, niggas are still trying 2 catch up
reasonable doubt, ready 2 die, life after death, illmatic, marshall mathers lp, dogg father, doggystyle, chronic, chronic 2001….thas all u need
i personally think blueprint was his best but u gotta take into consideration what was getting put out during the time reasonable dropped into consideration. jay-z was soooo ahead of his time with everything. wordplay, concepts, even the beats he choose. he’s a musical genius. point blank!
simply the best
reasonable doubts singles were stronger even aint no nigga had crazy bars in it so i have to give it to reasonable doubt but the blueprint had that insane eminem verse that made lets us all know he was not playing wit it on a jay-z album reasonable doubt wins slightly over blueprint by a piont in a half like all you got to do is listen to the album while reading lyric by lyric on ohhla the first was his best is the best album of the 90′s which would make it the best album in the best era of hiphop so that makes it best of all-time
I AGREE WITH (4. OLA). THE WORDPLAY WAS CRAZY ON REASONABLE DOUBT. CLASSIC!!!!!
and u know dey say its best to die/
and even if jahovah witnessed it he wouldnt testify/
sometimes life it get tedious/
so i keep one eye open like CBS, u see me stress right/
i done sold it all from crack to opium/
in third person, i dont wanna see him/
reasonable doubt = classic
his best album by far…
“D’Evils”
This shit is wicked on these mean streets
None of my friends speak
We’re all trying to win, but then again
Maybe it’s for the best though, ’cause when they’re seeing too much
You know they’re trying to get you touched
Whoever said illegal was the easy way out couldn’t understand the
mechanics
And the workings of the underworld, granted
Nine to five is how to survive, I ain’t trying to survive
I’m trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot
Life ills, poison my body
I used to say ‘fuck mic skills,’ and never prayed to God, I prayed to
Gotti
That’s right it’s wicked, that’s life I live it
Ain’t asking for forgiveness for my sins, endz
I break bread with the late heads, picking their brains for angles on
all the evils that the game’ll do
It gets dangerous, money and power is changing us
And now we’re lethal, infected with D’Evils…
We used to fight for building blocks
Now we fight for blocks with buildings that make a killing
The closest of friends when we first started
But grew apart as the money grew, and soon grew black-hearted
Thinking back when we first learned to use rubbers
He never learned so in turn I’m kidnapping his baby’s mother
My hand around her collar, feeding her cheese
She said the taste of dollars was shitty so I fed her fifties
About his whereabouts I wasn’t convinced
So I kept feeding her money ’til her shit started to make sense
Who could ever forsee, we used to stay up all night at slumber parties
now I’m trying to rock this bitch to sleep
All the years we were real close
Now I see his fears through her tears, know she’s wishing we were still
close
Don’t cry, it is to be
In time, I’ll take away your miseries and make ‘em mine, D’Evils…
My flesh, no nigga could test
My soul is possessed by D’Evils in the form of diamonds and lexuses
The exorcist, got me doing skits like Homie
You don’t know me, but the whole world owe me
Strip!
Was thought to be a pleasant guy all my fucking life
So now I’m down for whatever, ain’t nothing nice
Throughout my junior high years it was all friendly
But now this higher learning got the Remy in me
Liquors invaded my kidneys
Got me ready to lick off, mama forgive me
I can’t be held accountable, D’Evils beating me down, boo
Got me running with guys, making G’s, telling lies that sound true
Come test me, I never cower
For the love of money, son, I’m giving lead showers
Stop screaming, you know the demon said it’s best to die
And even if Jehovah witness, bet he’ll never testify, D’Evils…
like alot of people from the south i missed this album when it first came out i became a jay fan on vol 1 after i heard that song where i’m from. I’m not from marcy but when i heard that song I have been a hova fan ever since. his best song ever when he say “niggas argue all day about who’s the best mc bigge, jay-z or nas ” game over hand him the crown. then i went back and listen to that Reasonable Doubt and got my mind blew when he said that line from the song with him and big “like short sleeves we bear arms” all i could say was yo this the fucking dude is holding his own with big its about to be a problem.
Most def it is one of the greatest. I cant wait 4 dis to air
CERTIFIED CLASSIC.
Nah,Reasonable Doubt is only a classic because it’s his first album and it had a few clever lines here and there,that’s all.I would say Hard Knock Life Vol 2 is more of a classic than this one.
Classic shit is The Chronic,East 99,etc.
Jay-z is a Biter fuck that nigga…i dont respect a nigga who doesnt write his own shit…regardless how much or how lil that may be
That album is 11 years old and it’s still hot…
I’d say it’s his best…followed by The Blueprint
@ 15 what the fuck are u talking about he don’t write he’s on shit u are crazy
Every artist knows what their best work is, and Jay-Z said it is Reasonable doubt so it is, plus back then he had something to prove, now he aint got shit to prove to the world
brooklyn all day jay-z def jam,rocafella, holla at ur boy
Classic Material
Top 10 in my book only because I dont number them
*Reasonable Doubt
*Blueprint
*Marshall Mathers LP
*Ready To Die
*The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
*Chronic
*Doggystyle
*Life After Death
*Illmatic
*All Eyez On Me
and I agree with #5
I believe Blueprint was better
Its my favorite East Coast Album
reasonable doubt is the best
hard knock life sucks
Man i’m listening to the shit now in the whip, on my way home from lunch break.. Classic. SO anyway were is Cam’run, June 1st has come and gone, where is that hot summer he was talkin bout LOL….Fuckin loser.
it has to be blueprint or black album his best album..reasonable doubt is his like top 3 tho
http://www.myspace.com/handsdowntracks
http://www.myspace.com/putyahandsdown
http://www.myspace.com/blck2008
why does Premo have time to do this but not to record with Nas? i mean i know shit’s hectic these days & schedules have to sync up but i’m truley fiending for a Nas/Premo album. as for RD, i could name 50 albums better IMO.
I must say Reasonable doubt was that shyt.. Especially “Feelin it”.. I would say Reasonable Doubt is the best just because is Nostalgic.. It takes you back to that time.. But muthafuckin Vol. 2 had impact.. That and The Blueprint..
we could go back & forth all day all nite wit a million people on if Reasonable Doubt is with out a doubt President Carter’s BEST EFFORT…
all i know is BET take notes!!!!… VH1 & MTV is on top of they game with shows or specials on rap
Reasonable Doubt is da best in Hov catalog and my fav LP of all time. Even though he spit bout da pros of da drug game (cars, clothes, hoes, etc.), he also gave u da ills too. Str8 classic.
#10 made me go listen to dat D’evils as I type.
Reasonable Doubt is classic no doubt, but Blueprint changed the game and had more of an impact. Therefore it’s the better lp. Agree or disagree it’s the truth.
Im like prob the biggest jay fan i really dont even listen to rap ne more cause there are no good songs out there ill listen to a single or so and bump dance to it in the club but i dont think reasonable doubt is his best work. Blueprint is a monster of a album and then ill even take black album before i do reasonable doubt.
Reasonable Doubt is a CLASSIC. Co sign with HOV.
Reasonable Doubt has to be the best Hip Hop Album made..in my books it ranks as #1…second to none. Illmatic was ill but Jay..just uses the most clever shit..and it all makes sense..the album makes sense from the number 1 song to the last song. Stop with the hating on Jay…listen to the album..do your research..the kid as nasty at 25-26. Vocabulary was insane. Dead president (I)..was disgusting..when he starts “while me and my conglomerates”..woowh! or when he says “I want money like Cosby/Who would n’” LMAO! AS far as witty lines..Jay is second to none…Resonable Doubt was a master piece..Illmatic 2nd Chronic then Snoops Gin and Juice..Tribe called quest..Wutangs and the list goes one..Slick Ricks..but Jay ranks #1..cause he talks real facts..and the lust of the lifestyle he claims is in effect today.
i like blueprint and the black album better… but people get stuck in the past….yep he was hungry.. but he mastered his craft in the latter albums.
Reasonable Doubt is true enough the most infamous Jay album, because true enough it kicked the whole thing off and it definitely deserves all the credit it gets….. BUT:
His best album is The Black Album niggas! Followed by The Blueprint, then Reasonable’. I can’t see why The Black Album ain’t in more Top-All Time List, the shit is complete!!!
Dueces!!!!!!!
And All Yall In HereSayin That Reasonable Doubt The Best Album Ever???!!! Nigga Please, THE CHRONIC IS THE BEST RAP CD THAT’LL EVER COME OUT. EVER!!!
President Carter is still the best rapper to ever touch a mic tho!!!
Dueces!!!
Its aigt butt its not his best album…Blueprint 2.1 is a classic Dubbel album.One off the best The gift and the curst baby Hova 4 life
To consider a album an classic, not only dose it have to stand the test of time, but it also has to have an impact when it was release. Albums like The Chronic, Doggy Style, SouthernPlaya…, Ready To Die, All Eyes On ME, Aquemini, etc. These lp’s when they were release, CHANGED the game.
Again, I agree that reasonal doubt is a classic lp, but no one was checking for it when it first came out. It didn’t have the impact like the albums I mention earlier. To be honest with you n!99@z didn’t really start listening to Jay until Hard Knock Life. Blueprint CHANGED the game, so in my book it’s the better lp.
P.S.
Some other lp’s that changed the game:
36 Chambers
Only Built On Cuban Linx
Life After Death
ATLien
Legal Drug Money (Lost Boyz}
The Score
the Lauren Hill lp
Makivali
No Way Out (believe it or not, Puff ushered in that party and bullshit era a.k.a. bling)
Again these r some lp’s not all.
Yall should have an idea where I’m comin’ from with this post.
One.
‘Reasonable Doubt’ is one of Jay-Z’s best albums. But ‘The Blueprint’ outdid it.
CHECKKKKKKKKKK THISSSSSS,,,,,,, JAY-Z IS GONA DO THIS ALBUM, BUT LITTLE DID HE KNOW THAT HIS COMEBACK IS GONA BE WEAK LIKE JORDAN AND THA WIZARDS…. I MEAN, I AINT HATING ON THIS NIGGA, BUT IF U SAY U “RETIRED”, THEN NIGGA STICK TO THAT, DONT MAKE A ASS OUT OF URSELF…. WATEVER,,,,
NO HATE, 1 LOVE,,,, ITS JUS REAL TALK,, DOES ANY1 FEEL ME??
Reasonable doubt is in the top 5 hiphop albums ever made PERIOD!
its def one of my favorite jay albums…
it came out when i was in elementary i remembering rapping feelin it..lol and aint no nigga
Classics
1-Reasonable Doubt
2-Illmatic
3-Ready To Die
4-Paid In Full
5The Chronic
Im out BITCHES ~1~
fuck blue print. it was good but it had a lotta bitin going on. bitin nas big and shit. reasonable doubt was bananas.
so when they gon do one fo my nigga nas?
I SO MAD JAY MADE KINGDOM COME… THE BLACK ALBUM WAS THE WAY HE SHOULD HAVE WENT OUT… Its a track called allure on the black album that i love.. i feel that song.. wish he would have a made a video for it… Im a huge Jay Z fan and i dont say im a fan of artist that much.. I feel his struggle and how he went from being in the hood to making it… I can relate.. (but i dont have millions but im blessed)
@ blaze
Check this out blaze, now be real with me, were you bumping Reasonal Doubt when it first drop? Think about it now, ’96 belonged to 2pac, the Fugees, The Wu, Nas, Outkast, among others.
Again Jay’s 1st joint is an classic but it didn’t come out swingin’ like the others of that time. It didn’t reach platium until ’02 that’s 6 years later. BTW he swagger jacked Cuban Linx(Nas also).
Now don’t get it twisted Jay is that dude, but I have to call a spade a spade.
Reasonable Doubt was good, perhaps Jay’s best album, but for anyone that said it’s the best hip hop album period, you’re stretching it too far. Definitely a classic, but too many cats (on both coasts) came out with classics during that period to call Jay’s the best..
reasonable doubt is mos def 1 of the illest, if not, the illest rap album of all time & if any1 says otherwise, ur a hater. whether u like the dude or not u can’t listen 2 those lyrics and not b amazed. Nas is 1 of the best story tellers in the game but shit like friend or foe made u feel like u were in the room watchin the shit happen. blueprint was also a classic but on another tip. the beat selection on BP was THE BEST and the singles were in ridiculous rotation and he sold half a million albums on 9/11/01 which was 1 of the worst economic days in US history. but as hot as the lyrics were u could tell he was dumbin it down a little 2 get a broader audience but by doing so he took on the new persona of the jay we no today. There was no way he could b on his “chase 2 a billion”. if he still had that Vol.2(which was also classic) money cash hoes image he would not have contracts w/ the nba, monday nite football, Budweiser, Coke, GMC, HP….the list goes on. its pretty fuckin smart. oh and i agree with 34 …black album should b on more top rap albums lists. all his albums r great but like Em said “its jus a matter of taste”. who else u no can go from money cash hoes 2 girls girls girls 2 excuse me miss & remain that mafuckin niggah thru all that shit. the second dipset, wayne, ect. try 2 change their ganster image watch how everyone will turn on them. du u really think they want 2 b grown ass men and talk, dress and act lik a 18 year old niggah on the block? they dont really have any other choice.
interesting…I’m sure Dame was a very, very big part of what was necessary to bring that album to light. it would be interesting to hear what stories and perspectives he has on the album.
it’s like not hearing puffy talk about ready to die.
3. MELODY wrote on June 27th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
WELL JAY CLAIMS ITS HIS BEST ALBUM BUT I LIKE THE BLUEPRINT BETTER.
Co-sign. I heard Reasonable Doubt like a year after it dropped and it wasn’t fire to me at ALL!!!! I liked the 3 singles from the album “Presidents”, “Can’t Knock the Hustle” and “Feelin’ it” a lot, but that was it for me. I never thought Biggie was that hot so…….
Are u serious u only like 3 songs off Reasonable Doubt, Regrets, D’Evils, Can I Live, 22 twos, Brooklyn Finest, and so on wasnt hot to u
A brief excerpt from verse 1 on Can I Live
While I’m watchin every nigga watchin me closely
my shit is butter for the bread they wanna toast me
I keep my head, both of them where they supposed to be
Hoes’ll get you sidetracked then clap from closed feet
I don’t sleep, I’m tired, I feel wired like codeine, these days
a brother gotta admire from four fiends away
My pain wish it was quick to see, from sellin ‘caine
til brains was fried to a fricaisse, can’t lie
At the time it never bothered me, at the bar
gettin my thug on properly, my squad and me
lack of respect for authority, laughin hard
Happy to be escapin poverty, however brief
I know this game got valleys and peaks, expectation
for dips, four percent pertation we stack chips, hardly
The youth I used to be, soon to see a mill’in
No more, Big Willie my game has grown prefer you call me William
Illin for revenues, grateful dim the light
channel 7 news, round seven jewels, hand gettin the mic
Forgettin all I ever knew, convenient amnesia
I suggest you call my lawyer, I know the procedure
Lock my body can’t trap my mind, easily
explain why we adapt to crime
I’d rather die enormous than live dormant that’s how we on it
When I heard Jay Z spit this I was like Damn
Reasonable Doubt is beyond the doubt Jay Z’s best album, the wordplay, witty lines, storytelling, collabos all lethal on this album
My second fav Jay album is Volume 1 take off one song “I know what girls like” the album is a classic.
Hey 51, I have to correct one of your lines….it’s “for precipitation we stack chips”….he is speaking of rainy dayz. this is the same line he referenced in the Umbrella Rihanna song….Get ya Jay-Z weight up!!!!
@ everybody tha nigga is tha best ever SMH at who doesnt think so bcuz ur fav. artist is either dead or cant sell period and im out so fuck yall niggas
#52 is not that serious I cut and paste the lyrics from a lyric site and didn read thoroughly
Hello
G’night