Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z

Reasonable Doubt marked Jay-Z's first hip hop album debuting in 1996 it was sure to make a big splash and leave people talking especially after previous collaborations had marked him down as potentially something special. The album contains 14 tracks in total with the production handled primarily by 3 producers. In this cocktail a landscape of sonically crafted beats is presented ranging from the R&B infused beats of Clark Kent, to the rugged stripped down sounds of DJ Premier and last but certainly not least to Ski who provides a number of snappy bass driven beats for Jay-Z to rock to. As was mentioned in the opening, Jay-Z promised something ...  Read the complete review

In 1996 came "Reasonable Doubt", the debut album from the New York rapper Jay-Z, who was known at the time for work with the likes of Jaz-O (Big Jaz), Big L and Big Daddy Kane before making it himself. Although the impact wasn't as significant over here, it was certainly his breakthrough, and had him form into an almost instant success. It is important to note that Jay adopted the Mafioso style which was used by the likes of Nas, Raekwon, and the Notorious B.I.G. 1. "Can't Knock The Hustle" Starting off this record, you get a tune which has him perform a tune which has him on top of a beat I know more for Lemar's ...  Read the complete review

It is hard to imagine an artist who I once would have almost associated with the conscious era of hip-hop, rapping and expressing his feelings about harsh urban life, the despair of yesterday's youth would soon go onto to become an MTV incorporated artist with little to offer to true essence of hip hop but an addition to the already full party hip hop category. After Reasonable Doubt, Jay - Z unfortunately like many of his fellow artists from the Brooklyn exchanged his tight introspective street poetry for a more bling bling, cash money approach. One, which is turning away, many a hip-hop fan today. Reasonable Doubt is Jay-Z at the peak ...  Read the complete review

I have been a fan of Jay-Z for a while and it's only recently I have been investigating his records BEFORE vol.2 Hard Knock Life (his worst album by a distance). Reasonable Doubt was his first lp and it is no wonder he has got where he is today after a debut of such quality. I have to say that I do prefer the follow up to this album - In My Lifetime vol.1 but that is neither here nor there because there is not much between the two albums. With DJ Premier laying beats on the album it was bound to be a classic. In case you are unsure as to whether to snap up this album straight away I am going to go through the tracks that, in my opinion, make the album what ...  Read the complete review

Bein into Hip Hop music in the way that I am, I own quite a lot of Hip Hop cD's and Jay-z is another one of my favourites! I bought this first album back in 1996 when it was released and since, have bought all his other releases, as I think he's just great, and he has a lot to offer. When you look at the album's from most popular rappers, the first one is the best in my opinion. This is true for this album. I think this is one of the best rap/hip-hop albums ever. Jay-Z get's good production on this album and combines it with some great lyrics. Some of the songs that stand out are 'Can't Knock the Hustle' featuring Mary J. Blige, ...  Read the complete review