As it's never been a secret that Sean Carter's main interest in joining the hip-hop game was his love for the $ it had came time for change. Unfortunately the self-released project didn't do the big numbers the Roc-A-Fella trio had hoped for. That "Reasonable Doubt" was produced by just these three guys (with one extra beat each supplied by Big Jaz, Irv Gotti and Knobody) and all the sessions took place at the infamous D&D Studios in early '96 gave the album a cohessive sound that is often gone in todays hip-hop. DJ Premier, Ski and Clark Kent created unforgettable music that was the perfect soundtrack to Carter's lyrical flexings. The trio of producers that created the timeless canvas that Jay painted the story of his life over is an equally big part to the albums success. Granted!/ 9 to 5 is how you survive, I ain't trying to survive I'm tryna live it to the limit and love it alot" are perfect examples of this (as is the entire songs "Can I Live", "Regrets" and my favorite "D'Evils") and made alot of people relate to Jay-Z and the LP, hustlers or not.
Lines like " Lock my body, can't trap my mind/ Easily explain why we adapt to crime", " I rather die enormous than live dormant, that's how we on it" or " Whoever said illegal was the easy way out, couldn't understand the mechanics and the workings of of the underworld. But "Reasonable Doubt" stood out from most of the releases of its time not only had Jigga an impeccable wordplay and a ridiciolous delivery, he honestly invited the listener into his world, sharing with us his emotions, his pains and explaining his motives behind choosing a life of crime rather than taking a 9-5 job. The LP of course dropped in 1996 a time when mafioso themed albums had almost became the norm for East Coast hip-hop. Every verse on the album is a worthy quotable, and it's overall so well written that even after all these years you could still keeping discovering hidden meanings in Jay's lyrics as almost every single line has at least a double meaning (imagine that!). In the eyes of most serious hip-hop lovers, myself included, it stans as a true hip-hop classic that has certainly stood the test of time and proved Jay-Z as one of the most brilliant lyricists to ever grab a microphone.
This past Sunday marked the 15 year anniversary of the release of Sean Carter's fantastic debut LP, "Reasonable Doubt". Shouts to Bumpy Knuckles, J.E.S., Xclusive Zones and 1200.nu. A quick Google search made me found part 1 as well so as Ice Cube once said, " Today was a good day" - at least for me and everybody who loves true HARDCORE hip-hop. The homie Justice Equality Supreme of The Dope House put me on to this tape and while I have a memory of Foxxx speaking on something he would release to the net simply titled "Leaks", I found it strange that this was labeled as "Leaks Part II". This really came out of nowhere! Especially considering Freddie Foxxx dropped no less than two digital albums just this June but more Bumpy is as good as always great Bumpy.
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