Jay-Z has released the original version of his 1996 single Dead Presidents, marking the 30th anniversary of the track’s debut. The release comes alongside limited-edition vinyl, CD, and cassette formats available on the rapper’s official website.
Background And Production
The OG version, produced by Ski Beatz, was originally released on Roc-A-Fella Records on 20 February 1996 as the lead single from Jay-Z’s debut album, “Reasonable Doubt”.
The single prominently featured samples from Nas’ “The World Is Yours,” Lonnie Liston Smith, and A Tribe Called Quest.
Why The Song Was Re-Recorded
Roc-A-Fella co-founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke explained the decision to re-record the song in an interview with Rob Markman.
He revealed that Jay-Z had written new verses and frequently performed them a cappella before the updated version was recorded.
“He had the verse and it was actually my idea for him to just put it over the original beat,” Burke said. “He would spit that verse a cappella all the time… I was like, ‘Just put it on the same beat.’”
The final album version became “Dead Presidents II”, replacing the original cut.
Possible ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Reissue?
The release coincides with Jay-Z reinstating the umlaut in his stage name, now written as JAŸ-Z. Fans have interpreted the stylistic change as a possible signal of a “Reasonable Doubt” anniversary reissue.
The album was released on 25 June 1996, debuting at number 23 on the Billboard 200 and remaining on the chart for 18 weeks.
Streaming Availability
This anniversary edition allows listeners to experience the original production and lyrical delivery as first conceived. Jay-Z has not publicly announced any additional anniversary projects related to “Reasonable Doubt”.
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