This week we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the debut album from legendary Brooklyn MC, "Jay Z". We dive into his misfortunate beginnings as a rapper and the necessity for an independent release, as well as the tracks themselves and what the album means to Jay-Z's legacy.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(08:01) Justine Skye roast session
(12:30) A2 roast session
(14:25) Hiatus Kaiyote’s “Mood Valiant”
(18:27) Tyler’s “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST”
(25:08) Children of Zeus
(26:10) Spotlight Series: Bobby Sessions
(30:33) Intro to Reasonable Doubt discussion
(34:19) Jay-Z’s rhyming style prior to Reasonable Doubt, struggling to get signed
(38:30) Other labels that passed on Jay
(39:50) Why was it a bit of a dud when it was released?
(43:13) What made the public opinion switch and what makes the album special?
(48:30) Production cohort
(51:15) Brooklyn’s Finest; would Jay Z have been #1 if Biggie didn’t die?
(57:32) Ain’t No Nigga
(01:00:45) Politics As Usual
(01:06:23) Bring It On
(01:08:31) Can’t Knock The Hustle
(01:11:25) D’Evils
(01:15:09) 22 Two’s
(01:18:06) Can I Live
(01:22:35) Regrets/Friend or Foe
(01:25:50) Coming of Age
(01:29:09) Cashmere Thoughts, Dead Presidents II
(01:32:07) Feelin’ It
(01:32:42) Favourite tracks
(01:33:55) What the album means for Jay Z’s legacy
(01:41:14) Closing, Now and Then playlist
