As part of a five part, Complex series titled “Jewels From Irv Gotti,” the Murder Inc helmsman spoke on what made Jay Z’s Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life arguably the rapper’s best album.
While speaking on Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, Gotti recalled Jay Z taking the Biggie formula and running with it following the death of The Notorious B.I.G., but he says it ultimately “wasn’t his energy.”
“This is my opinion,” Irv Gotti said. “My truthful opinion though. Jay Z, he made Reasonable Doubt, which is one of the greatest rap albums ever. Biggie died. He went and ran to the Biggie formula. So, he figured ‘I’ll get all them great records they was about to give Big.’ But that wasn’t his energy. He made that album. He didn’t fuck with none of us. It was a Bad Boy, Hitman album. ‘Sunshine,’ ‘You Belong To The Streets,’ all of that bullshit. Jay especially, he looked and seen what I did with X and was like ‘Woah, holy shit. That shit worked.’ His Vol. 1 album sold like platinum.”
At one point, Irv Gotti revealed that Jay Z’s “Money, Cash, Hoes” was another record that was initially intended for Ja Rule. In Complex’s “Magnum Opus” series featuring Ja Rule, which was released days ago, Gotti recalled Jay Z asking to have Ja’s “Can I Get A” record.
During this latest “Jewels From Irv Gotti” episode, Gotti also touched on the once troubled relationship between Jay Z and DMX.
“He’s looking for shit,” Gotti said. “He’s in my office a little bit more now…Then what helped sell that album, ‘Money, Cash, Hoes.’ ‘Money, Cash, Hoes’ was Jay coming around after X is the biggest nigga in the world and saying ‘Let me get some Swizz Beatz’…They always had friction. Because they battled and X like hated him. Jay really didn’t give a fuck, but Jay—they was always on some competitive shit…That session for ‘Money, Cash, Hoes’ was ill.”
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Jigga my Nigga, Dog for Life. What is dude talking about, let X speak for himself. Grown man trying to project their feelings onto other niggas like little girls
Nigga that was after Dmx put out his album so therefore his right.
Yep, HOV always changing his style up to get those pop platinum records. That’s he is the best lyricist in Hip Hop, he’s willing to do anything, change his style to make a buck or win an award. Nas keep losing.
IRV IS COOL 🙂
Reasonable Doubt most overrated album ever, it didnt have one classic on there. Sunshine and You belong in the streets is from a different album.
Mf we know ur from NYC if you think reasonal doubt is a classic. No one outside NYC fucks with that album, FACT! Everytine someone says its a classic it comes from a NYC person, stop kissing ass you loser
Mutha fucka, we all know you fell and bumped your head if you think Reasonable Doubt has no classic songs on it. I would name them all one by one but I know you’re trolling and I won’t even waste anymore time than I already have making this post.
I’ve tried tried back in the 90s and now and still dont like that.Album… Maybe everyone isn’t a fan…
Im from TX and I like reasonable doubt. Not every song but “Politics as usual” “can i live” “dead presidents” are classic. songs in my opinion
A lot of people consider that his best album but i dont
kinda desperate right?
NOT “Desperate” ….. More like HUNGRY!
Irv Gotti s a dope niga..kicking knowledge,,ths young ones who just kissin a***,should get it that Jay works on nigas material.he went on to sell platinum with Nas tracks.dead president,..NY state of mind..we need more open minded people like him to share the truth about the culture
Gotta give it to Jay’s hustler spirit. Always working to reach the next level.
I’d hate to do business with the guy tho, seems pretty cut-throat and a backstabber.
Still, Can’t Knock the Hustle