Reasonable Doubt is the debut album of American rapper Jay-Z, released June 25, 1996 on Roc-A-Fella Records in the United States and on Northwestside Records in the United Kingdom. The album features production by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and guest vocals by Memphis Bleek, Sauce Money and The Notorious B.I.G. It peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200, received platinum status in 2002, and sold 1.4 million copies as of 2006. Four singles were released, the most popular being "Ain't No Nigga" and "Can't Knock the Hustle". Both reached the top 40 in the United Kingdom, but were less popular in the United States; the former reached #50 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the latter reached #73.
Reasonable Doubt received strong critical reviews and has been heralded as Jay-Z's "crowning achievement", a seminal work and an "undisputed classic". Reasonable Doubt received a "4 Mics" rating from The Source,and five stars from Allmusic, the highest ratings issued by AMG. The Source ranks it among the top 100 albums of all time, Blender ranks it as one of the 500 best albums of all time, and Rolling Stone ranks it at 248 on their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Reasonable Doubt and Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... are considered to have popularized Mafioso rap and "revolutionized the hip hop scene". (Im not gonna bother for a biography on Jay-Z, since everybody knows who he is.)
1. CAN'T KNOCK THE HUSTLE (FEAT MARY J BLIGE)
This Song is good, but it doesn't start the album off with the bang that it deserves. this song (minus the Loooooooooong intro, belongs im the middle of the album.) This song is still enjoyable though. Cool video also.
2. POLITICS AS USUAL
Now this would've made a better track one.(Or maybe im just too used to the custom playlist on my Ipod) Hard to belive that Ski went from producing classic Jay-Z songs to being Camp Lo's go-to producer. (How did this happen?)
3. BROOKLYN'S FINEST (FEAT THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.)
One of the very few actual collabos between Jay and Biggie(2 on my count.)I don't care for this beat very much, and when Biggie references the line about his wife's supposed infedelity, even he sounds unconvincing.
4. DEAD PRESIDENTS II
One of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time. I prefer this one to the original version. The lyrics seem to fit this one more.
5. FEELIN' IT (FEAT MECCA)
Love this song. Has a nice "Conversational type flow that Jay-Z's good at. Oh and who's Mecca?
6. D'EVILS
It's Jay & Premier..Need i say more!?
7. 22 TWO'S
Borrows a Tribe called quest hook. Hate the announcer lady, love the lyrics.
8. CAN I LIVE
Dint know until recently that Vh1 alumni Irv Gotti produced this. Who would've thought that this is the same guy who brought us Ja Rule, and Ashanti? (But then again Jay did bring us the Young Gunz)
9. AIN'T NO N---A (FEAT FOXY BROWN)
Never liked this song. Never will.
10. FRIEND OR FOE
The shortest song on the album. Also one of the best (Ironic Huh?)
11. COMING OF AGE (FEAT MEMPHIS BLEEK)
Did Memphis Bleek save Jay's life at some point? Cuz the the only logical answer as to why he hasnt been kicked out by the man. This song on the other hand, has great verse's by both artist, and it's quite enjoyable.
12. CASHMERE THOUGHTS
Got the 'Hip Hop Quotable' in The Source when the album came out. Nuff said.
13. BRING IT ON (FEAT BIG JAZ AND SAUCE MONEY)
Great song by all three artist. Features Jay-Z's former mentor/current enemy Big Jazz (Now known as Jaz-O). Plus what the hell happened to Sauce Money??? He's great!!
14. REGRETS
Nobody makes beats like this one anymore. Great way to end your album.
Well watdya know, Reasonable Doubt still holds up to this day. This is not only the definitive album from H to the Izzo's catalogue, it's one of the ten most important rap records of the entire 1990's. It's possible to live without having heard it - but after you do, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. Even nearly six years later, this album stands up to the best production and strongest lyricism coming out of any rap around the globe. If an album could be said to have made corny MC's into Jay-Z haters, this is the one. Get this album know.
Score:96 out of 100
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