JAY-Z’s 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt celebrated its silver anniversary on June 25 and the Roc Nation mogul has been commemorating the milestone in a myriad of ways.
Not only did JAY-Z release a non-fungible token (NFT) of the project, he also gifted 25 people who helped make the album possible with special diamond pendants.
DJ Premier — who provided production on “D’Evils,” “Friend Or Foe” and “Bring It On” featuring Big Jaz and Sauce Money — shared an Instagram photo last week boasting a handwritten note from Hov and one of the pendants sitting on top of a soundboard.
The note reads, “To Primo! The Best Behind The Beat! Jay-Z.” Premier added in the caption, “VERY SPECIAL INDEED! THANKS JAY! 25th Anniversary Of ‘REASONABLE DOUBT’ #RD25.”
Speaking to HipHopDX, DJ Premier noted longtime Roc Nation affiliate and veteran music executive Lenny S. has a hand in getting the pendants to everyone. He also revealed the pendant is engraved with “25 RD 96” on the back.
“Jay only made 25,” he says. “Lenny S. is the one that reached out to send it to the 25.”
Lenny S. shared a photo of all the pendants on the album’s anniversary.
He wrote, “25 years ago today, the undeniable, classic debut album, REASONABLE DOUBT by JAY Z was released. 6/25/96. JAY & the good folks at ROC made 25 pieces of this iconic logo to commemorate this timeless album and the visionaries who worked on it.
“Thanks to all who listened and loved it as much as I did. And thanks to all who participated in this historical project. It’s ROC 4 LIFE !!!! Happy 25th Reasonable Doubt.”
Reasonable Doubt debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 upon its release and remained on the chart for 18 weeks. Lead singles included “Ain’t No N-gga” and “Can’t Knock The Hustle.”
Damon Dash Explains Why JAY-Z & Roc-A-Fella Records Lawsuit Is 'Corny & Embarrassing'
Along with DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent contributed additional production while Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O and The Notorious B.I.G. were among the project’s guest vocalists.
The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2002 and has sold at least 1.5 million copies in the United States.
Revisit the project below.
You YMCMB haters are fucking idiots. Because I’m an accountant for Cash Money Records, I spend a lot of time with Birdman. He told me that in 96, Biggie was looking to get out of his contract with Bad Boy so he could sign with Cash Money. If Cash Money is right for Biggie, then it’s clearly the top record label. Unfortunately, Jay-Z and Diddy found out about Biggie’s upcoming departure and had him shot. Also, Birdman as always a role model for Pac. Most of you don’t know this, but the song Hit Em Up was originally supposed to be Split Em Up, a song where Pac brags about fucking Faith, leading to her breakup with BIG. But Birdman explained to Pac that real gangsta’s talking about killing people, so that’s how Hit Em Up took on such a violent tone. YMCMB for life. We got the game by the clit.
Holy shit you’re back? Did you take a break from this site or went under another alias? I remember your comments on here back 2014 maybe before
This shite white boy need to go back to the rock he been living under
First. let it be known Big &Jay z is from my hood, we Brooklyn for life bitch. Pack, Big nor jay would even FUCK with Birdman. He’s a rich cocky mutha FUCKA. & Don’t have no leadership. If he did he wouldn’t be banging. FUCK outa here with that sucker shit..
Ok boomer
Youre full of shit
Lmao You don’t work for Cash Money and Big was never going to sign with them either ? what a complete lying fool you are.
This guy is smoking meth & crack @ the same damn time! Pac never ever met baby from cash money ever! U must have a lot of time on ur hands to come up wit that nutty shit! Smh & BIG was never leaving bad boy now Pac actually thought about leaving death row for a min! What jackass lmao
I saw pictures of him and pac together.
PLEEEAAAASE STOP BRUH!! You sound like a thirsty female!! And then you gon put smut on Birdman/YMCMB name like bruh I seen ppl get dealt with for waaaaay less! Why don’t you go learn how to cook or something!?!
Biggie was leaving Bad boy that’s why he started his own label, and I met Big twice in Chicago so Birdman could have met him when he went to New Orleans. If you don’t know don’t doubt the people who were around at that time and we’re around the music scene or know people who are..you just sound like a fan who really believes these entertainers made up characters.
Are you okay? Lol
Guaranteed Dame got one himself, but he won’t tell anyone though…
I guess now he can go hang it on a Christmas tree…
My bad bruh that post ain’t for you it was for
@dentaldamboy
@hstlr31 my bad fam that wasn’t directed towards you..
I wonder if Nas got one since Jay sampled his voice? That would be Dope!
Dentaldamboy???
Might as well name ur self boxeater!
Last week Jay-Z gave me 2 pennies! In my empty coffee cup I was holding out near the train station.