Jay-Z and the Notorious B.I.G. Photo Credit: REHAB Online Magazine

DJ Clark Kent drops by Scoop B Radio and discusses producing, the latest and greatest AND producing Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls’ Brooklyn’s Finest. Press Play Below To Listen! 

Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt” had hits! Hov’s first album, released on June 25, 1996 and had hits like “D’Evils,” “Can I Live,” “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” “Ain’t No N***a” and “Feelin’ It.”

While the album had appearances by Mary J. Blige, Foxy Brown and Memphis Bleek, it was also graced by the presence of one of the greatest of all time, the Notorious B.I.G., on the track, “Brooklyn’s Finest.”

Get this though: Biggie wasn’t supposed to be on the track at all. Appearing on today’s episode of the Scoop B Radio podcast, legendary dj, Clark Kent said that the Brooklyn’s Finest track, which he produced was for Jay-Z. “I got to the studio to lay it for Jay, Big heard the track and he wanted it for himself,” DJ Clark Kent told me.

“But I couldn’t give it to him because it was already for Jay. But I said [to Biggie]: ‘If you come to the studio and wait downstairs, I’ll tell him that you should be on the record and we’ll see what happens.'”

Jay-Z agreed to it and so the track was created. “I brought Big upstairs and Jay thought I was a funny guy for not telling him that Big was downstairs,” DJ Clark Kent recalled. 

DJ Clark Kent. Photo Credit: Complex

According to DJ Clark Kent, Jay-Z re-did his verses on the track to accommodate Biggie.  “Everything you hear from Jay on that record was changed 20 minutes after he laid what he laid,” he said.

“So he basically set up every one of Big’s verses with a rhyme and then asked Big was he ready. Big was so blown away by it. He was like: ‘he wasn’t ready’ and said he needed some time. So he took it home and two months later, we went back to the studio and Big laid his part.”

With all of the lyrical firepower on that track, guess what? Neither one of the rappers had a hook. “I had to figure out a hook because they left me in the studio with no hook,” recalled DJ Clark Kent.

“So I was there trying to become a hook guy!” So I went in the booth and did the hook and luckily everybody was happy because otherwise the record would have never happened.”

The story is legendary. But, DJ Clark Kent is legendary too! He’s produced for any and everyone: 50 Cent, Slick Rick, Lik Kim, Rakim and Canibus.

He’s also produced for Mariah Carey. Remember Mariah’s Loverboy song?! Yup, he produced that!

Man, he sampled Cameo’s “Candy” song!? 

DJ Clark Kent talked about that, the state of the New York Knicks, Drake, 50 Cent and more in our interview. Check out our interview via Scoop B Radio by clicking here. 

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The post DJ Clark Kent details how he got Notorious B.I.G. on Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt album appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Yo, yo dog, what’s the difference between a 4.0 and a 4.6?”

Like 30 to 40 grand c**ksucker beat it!

Jay-Z

Although Damon Dash and Jay-Z have always hogged the headlines when it came to Roc-A-fella Records, anybody who’s anybody knew who the guy was. That guy was, silent partner, Kareem “Biggs” Burke. Known for being silent in more ways than one — seriously, if you haven’t, check out Death of a Dynasty — Biggs was always, “that guy”. “When Dame was screaming and Jay was over there focused on the music, I was that guy people could come talk to.” Burke said on the Rap Radar podcast a few weeks ago, “So I didn’t burn any bridges.” That notion was challenged and confirmed Friday, June 24th as Burke opened up a pop up store in Los Angeles in celebration of Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z’s legendary debut album.

I had a chance to cover the historical event for RESPECT., which was being held at concept shop APT.4B in L.A. Burke and his Fourth of November team turned the place into an exact replica of Jay’s old apartment in the infamous Marcy projects. Upon entry into the shop, you were greeted by a vintage store front with a sign that read, “New Album: Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt” as well as DJ Franzen spinning on the turntables. Franzen was playing everything from early Jigga classics, to songs that were sampled for the RD project, the tone of the night was very 90s. After being let inside a door that was reminiscent of New Jack City scene — graffiti, stash camera, you name it — you reach the main part of the shop, aka Jigga’s old bedroom. The scene upon entry to this part, was a surreal hop into a time machine to the early 90’s. There were posters and pictures of all types of Hip-Hop legends on the wall including Raekwon, Mobb Deep (I know, I thought it was weird at first too), Grand Puba and more. Though the posters of Jay’s former foes were interesting — he also had multiple pictures of Tupac visible — it was the stash near the “stove” which caught most of my attention. Complete with the dope boy starter kit, the area was stocked with fake powder posed as coke — so we think — a scale, baking soda and a pot to cook. The small environment really took you back to a hungry young Jigga’s mindset as he was getting ready to sky rocket.

.@djkhaled just showed up to the Reasonable Doubt 20th Anniversary party #RD20 pic.twitter.com/eYg2x59OZC

— RESPECT. MAGAZINE (@RESPECTMAG) June 25, 2016

The place was also PACKED.

Everybody, their mom, AND their sister came out for this one, all in support of Biggs. There was even a surprise appearance from DJ Khaled. Newer fans might be confused on the importance of Biggs, but with others, his legacy is solidified. After shopping around a deal for Jay’s would be debut album to many labels, Jigga and Dame were beginning to be discouraged at the notion that nobody would give them a fair deal. Never to be screwed over, Dame decided to call on his former Harlem buddy, Biggs, to come in and partner up. Though Biggs, known for his money making prowess in the pharmaceutical game, was brought in to be an investor, he was much more than that. “Me bringing a lifestyle that Jay talked about, not to say Jay didn’t talk about his,” Biggs told RESPECT. during an interview at the event, “but a big part of that was me, Emory (Jones) and Tata bringing out the support.” Though interesting, this was far from an unknown fact. Stories like Biggs and co. buying out St. Thomas completely of Cristal have always swirled around the air, but it’s Biggs involvement with the creative side that at times went undervalued. “Well, I picked the beat for “Can’t Knock the Hustle“” He told me during the interview. As a Jigga stan — as I’m sure most of you reading this are — this blew my mind. “I think the sequence of the album, we all thought of that together,” he continued on his contribution to the creativity, “Also, pulling the photo shoot together, and just giving Jonathan Mannion a lot of reign, be we came together with the clothes and the lifestyle too.”

That lifestyle was on display this night.

Despite all the troubles that life brought to Biggs, including a prison sentence and the break up of his Rocafella empire, he was still able to reflect. “For me, it means the genesis,” Burke said on the importance of Reasonable Doubt to him, “It was the start of something that created businesses and an entrepreneurial, independent spirit in a lot of kids today. It’s something that just created artists, jobs and businesses in different industries.” One of those business is Fourth of November, a clothing line backed by Biggs. “I connected with an old friend of mine who had this denim brand,” Biggs says of the line, “It was hand made by the designer in his garage, and I love the story. It pays homage to a love story because his parents met in Ecuador at the address Fourth of November.”

“Reasonable Doubt” Gold Plaques courtesy of Roc-A-Fella’s first National Director of Radio Promotions @rayrae161! Thank you my brother! | Snapchat ? APT.4B | #ReasonableDoubt #APT4B #APT4BLA @fourthofnovember @apt4b.la

A video posted by APT.4B (@apt.4b) on Jun 23, 2016 at 10:06pm PDT

In all, it was a night to remember for not only the man of the hour, but also the attendees. Met with Reasonable Doubt themed cocktails from none other than D’usse, the event was an incredible experience for any fan of the Rocafella days. And for the man who inspired Jay’s bars about 4.6’s and stunting, it was the culmination of a 20 year climb to the top.

Check out the pictures from the event below and be sure to bump to Reasonable Doubt today for it’s birthday, specifically, “Friend or Foe.”

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The post Kareem “Biggs” Burke Reflects on 20 Years of ‘Reasonable Doubt’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Can you believe its been 20 years since Reasonable Doubt came out? I mean if that doesn’t make you feel old then I don’t know what will. Of course I mean that in a positive context considering that everyone was not lucky enough to witness Jay-Z break into the industry and gain more respect and power with each project. Nonetheless today we celebrate his efforts and his commencement album Reasonable Doubt.

The ones who grew up on early Jay had the advantage of using his life experiences as a blueprint on how-to maneuver in certain predicaments with sophistication.

Who knew that 20 years later people of all walks (not only hip-hop enthusiast) around the world would still be able to appreciate each message and story that came from this classic. Having an understanding on Jay-Z and what he did for the industry means you also appreciate the creativity he brought to the story boards of videos that accompanied Reasonable Doubt.

His first single “Dead Presidents” had a lot of controversy spiraled around it, considering the song was the stem of the Nas/ Jay-Z feud. Nas was initially invited to re-rap the chorus to the song while appearing in the video, however for some reason he declined.

This video was the first video of off Reasonable Doubt and it highlighted backdrops of the old New York skyline while exuberating that classic gritty NY  feel that came alongside the golden years of rap. The video mainly highlighted Jay while he monologued how significant dead presidents(money) meant to him.

Biggie, AZ, Dame Dash, Biggs, Lil Cease and Jay-Z’s best friend Tata all made guest appearances at the end during what seems to be a intense dice game. The only one who seemed to be missing from that scene was Nas.

Jay-Z’s second single & video was one of my favorite’s “Ain’t No.” This song/video was like a foreshadow into his ability to bring people under his wing and mold them into superstars. A then 17-year-old, Foxy Brown is featured on the track where she and Jay reciprocate lyrics about unfaithful relationships. This being the very track that gained the consideration of big A&R executives is claimed to be one the finest opposite sex rap duets.

Continuing on with the motif of the album, the opening scene is reminiscent of a similar scene of the movie Scarface. The visuals for this video gives a more sexy vibe with scenes on the beach and women on shopping sprees. In majority of the video if Jay was not side by side Brown, Dame and Biggs were there supporting his argument of the track. If you look closely you can spot a young Irv Gotti as well as Biggie.

When that heart beat first comes on everyone is fully aware of what song it is. “Can’t Knock The Hustle” was one of those songs that people knew world wide and couldn’t wait to sample. By this time everyone  was well aware of who Mary J Blige was and her impact on this era of music, yet still skeptical of who Jay- Z was.

Maybe this can explain why Mary was not in the video. At that time it did not make sense for the Queen of R&B to make an appearance  in a video from someone who was still considered an independent artist.

This video heavily exuberates the mafiaso vibe that Jay gave with his other videos, also explaining the album art cover. Watch the video here.

“Feeling It” being the 4th and last single off Reasonable Doubt was the perfect song and video to end the start of the Jay-Z era. Watching this video and his smooth demeanor Jay has shows that he was ready to take over the rap industry.

The scene with him on that yacht smoking a cigar shows the confidence he has gained on his journey and that he is ready for the next level.

To read up more on Reasonable Doubt, hit up the respect-mag.com site. It’s Jay Day, All Day Baby!

The post ‘Reasonable Doubt’ & The Visuals that Shaped the Album appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Norman Jean Roy

Everyone wants to be great. If an artist, or anyone for that matter, is fortunate enough to possess or learn the skills needed to earnestly pursue a goal, then success isn’t far fetched. But the most common desire is to just get there. The question existing, however, is how do you stay there? How do you continue to evolve and how do you maintain? We look to cultural veterans such as Jay Z and Nas as the standards for success. We use them as sort of a bar for which to reach. They’ve withstood the test of time, but they also continue to advance inside and outside the realm of hip-hop.

There are a few interesting factors that can give clarity or shine light on what it takes to have longevity or to remain reigning over the cultural throne. The first could be their pursuit of excellence. Jay Z has described excellence as “…being able to perform at a high level for a long period of time.” We anticipate their next move, whether it is lyrical or an entrepreneurial endeavor. Whatever the case, their efforts remain just as fresh and exciting as the first time they released Reasonable Doubt and Illmatic.

The second factor could be setting the right foundation, which is chasing the pure passion of the art form. Always making mention that the culture needs reviving, Nas’ nostalgia can be used as encouragement to revisit the historical background of the craft, “Rap is like a ghost town, real mystic. Like these folks never existed. They the reason that rap became addictive. Play they CD or wax and get lifted. I recommend when your kid turn ten, let him here Spice 1, made plenty of noise, Positive K, Father MC, the Skinny Boys.” A broader sense of awareness of hip hops humble beginnings and the creativeness of it all begins to take root. From there, the compelling nature to save hip hop from its destitute state is brought forth. Hence, switching the motive from chasing a dollar to “holding down the block.” 

“You can just be you and do you – and not let nobody mess with your flow. Forget the cash, forget the cars, forget all of that stuff… the first thing is the music.” – Nas

All eyes are on the new students of the game, who, since the beginning of their careers, appear to have been taking detailed notes. Like Jay and Nas, Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole, for example, are using their creative and artistic ability to share new perspectives on common issues. Kendrick’s struggle to make it out of Compton’s “belly of the rough” and J.Cole’s “dollar and a dream” are their means of connecting with listeners. It doesn’t hurt to have the vet’s characteristic of ambition as well, which frequently appears in Wale‘s rhymes. Wanting to aim higher remains just as important as being persistent despite obstacles.

Having a sense of self-awareness is just as essential. Being self-aware may just be what makes these artist’s relatable and encouraging to those still on a journey. Or, taking it a step further, having the willingness and courage to be vulnerable, like Drake, and conveying their messages in a genuine way. Being open, honest and transparent about most of their life experience’s; transmitting hope to the hopeless. The understudies are reaching for the bar. Maybe even setting it higher. They are undoubtedly following the same formula as their predecessor’s, but with clearly distinctive personalities and rap styles.

Of course, it takes time and patience to be a Jay Z or a Nas, but it’s possible for the believer. The throne isn’t just for few. It’s for many, who have a vision and seek to validate that vision and pursue it while keeping the proper perspective. It takes lyricists who are strong-willed, like Jay and Nas, to continue to inspire on any level. Everyone wants to be great, but to reign on the throne, the expectation should be to become excellent. Ten years from now, who will be wearing the crown?

The post Reigning Over The Culture’s Throne: Maintaining Longevity and Achieving Excellence appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It’s been 15 years since Jay-Z‘s earth-shaking debut, Reasonable Doubt, and XXL has a great breakdown of the album for the occasion. This was the album that started Hova’s reign as king of the industry, a reign that has stood for over a decade, despite numerous beefs and his own quasi-retirement. Jay’s longevity isn’t just a testament to the considerable talent, it’s more importantly a consequence of how he changed an industry from a war-zone where the icons of the industry would be gunned down within a few years of their debut into a legitimate business. Happy anniversary.

It’s the album that started it all…

On June 25th, 1996, through Roc-A-Fella Records via a distribution deal with Priority Records, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s first classic, Reasonable Doubt, was introduced to the masses. Fifteen years later, the gangster-esque melodrama remains one of hip-hop’s, and Hov’s most celebrated bodies of work.

Featuring production “sleeker than that leather on the Fonz” (DJ Premier, Ski Beatz, Clark Kent, and more) and lyricism clearer than the VS diamonds from Tito in the district, Jay’s debut initially failed to make a commercial impact despite its critical acclaim. While only debuting at No. 23 on the Billboard 200, selling a mere 420,000 copies for the year, Reasonable Doubt would eventually reach platinum status on February 7th, 2002.

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of Jay’s first magnum opus, XXLMag.com decided to step it up another level and break Reasonable Doubt down by the numbers. What y’all don’t know?…

Via XXL

UPDATE: Can’t believe we slept on this terrific run-through of the album with producer Ski Beatz. Definitely worth a read, via Soul Culture.

The post Reasonable Doubt Celebrates Its 15th appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.