The Jay-Z traditional that was meant for Busta Rhymes

Jay-Z is the wealthiest man in hip-hop, and since 1995, Hov has been bringing us high quality music. From Affordable Doubt to 4:44, the Brooklyn rapper has been round for the reason that days of Massive Daddy Kane and Biggie Smalls. As one of many first artists from the style to realize billionaire standing, Hov (actual title Shawn Carter) is taken into account among the finest rappers of all time. 

On the flip of the millennium, through the top of his feud with Nas and Mobb Deep, Carter launched his sixth studio album, The Blueprint. A 15-track physique of labor that boasts options from the likes of Eminem and others. Nonetheless, one of many tracks on the venture was initially meant for Busta Rhymes.

The observe was ‘U Don’t Know’. Produced by one in all Roc-a-Fella’s most talented beatmakers, Just Blaze, the tune was made with Busta Rhymes and Mobb Deep’s Prodigy in thoughts. 

Throughout a current look on the IDEA GENERATION podcast, Simply Blaze (actual title Justin Smith) defined how he and Prodigy had been shut and disclosed the beat was prepared to seem on Infamy. 

Talking concerning the instrumental, Smith defined, “‘U Don’t Know’ was at one point going to be Busta and Prodigy,” Simply Blaze revealed. “A lot of people don’t know, me and P used to hang out a lot. I still don’t have a lot of rap friends, right? He was one of the few people to actually come to the house.”

He continued, “It was wild because then [The Alchemist] ended up moving around the corner from me. So ‘U Don’t Know’ had been done, and then I made ‘Song Cry,’ like, the second night after Jay finished recording whatever he was recording that day.”

Talking on how he performed it to numerous artists, Simply Blaze recalled, “‘U Don’t Know.’ Yo, the worst thing ever was knowing that I have Jay ready for me, but Busta’s doing this Busta Rhymes [style] on the ‘U Don’t Know’ beat. I’m like, ‘Yo, this is real dope.’ I’m torn. I’m a kid at the time, and I’m torn.”

He concluded, “Luckily, Busta didn’t record to it. I go back to Soundtrack [Studios], where Mobb Deep was recording. Prodigy hears the beat; I play it off of a cassette. He starts rhyming to it. Some drama ended up happening; he had to leave. I go around the corner [to Baseline Studios], I play it for Jay. [This is] all in that same weekend. Then, all of a sudden, Jay was like, ‘Yo, lay that right now.’”

You’ll be able to hear ‘U Don’t Know’ and Simply Blaze talking concerning the beat’s creation within the video under.