JAY-Z’s ‘U Don’t Know’ Was Originally For Busta Rhymes & Prodigy

According to Just Blaze, JAY-Z’s 2001 song “U Don’t Know” was originally written for Busta Rhymes and Prodigy.

during a conversation on the latest episode of idea creationthe legendary producer revealed Blueprint The track was originally intended for Bus-a-Bus and P before it was acquired by Hov.

The song was used as the sixth track on Jay’s sixth studio album, and found him rapping about elite-level brawl and financial success in rap and street gaming. A remix featuring MOP appeared in his follow-up project. Blueprint 2: Gifts and Curses2002.

He said he doesn’t remember how the “U Don’t Know” beat came about, but recalled that the first iteration was intended as a collaboration between Busta Rhymes and The Prodigy. death.

“‘U Don’t Know’ was going to be Busta and Prodigy at one point,” Just Blaze revealed. “A lot of people don’t know, but me and P used to hang out a lot. You still don’t have a lot of rap friends, do you? He was one of the few people who actually came to my house.

“It was wild [The Alchemist] Moved around the corner from me. After “U Don’t Know” was done, making “Song Cry” was like the night after Jay finished recording what he had been recording for the day.

Just Blaze previously spoke about the origin of “U Don’t Know” on the Roc-A-Fella episode of ItsTheReal. A waste of time 2017 podcast. He explained that former Roc-A-Fella A&R Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua called him to make a “soulful” record.

“I’m leaving to go to a session with Prodigy,” he said. “The Prodigy listens to ‘U Don’t Know’. Then Busta [Rhymes] You hear “U Don’t Know”.yo the worst thing ever was jay knew he was ready but busta is doing this Busta Rhymes [style] on the “U Don’t Know” beat. I’m like, “Yo, this is real dope.” I’m torn I was a child then and torn.

“Luckily Busta didn’t record on it. Back to the soundtrack [Studios], where Mobb Deep was recording. Prodigy hears the beat. Play from cassette. He starts rhyming it. Some drama happened. he had to leave.turn a corner [to Baseline Studios]I play it for Jay. [This is] all on the same weekend. And all of a sudden, Jay said, ‘Okay, go to bed now.'”

Just Blaze revealed that the whole situation led to JAY-Z liking him. The New Jersey native has become the label’s in-house beatsmith, creating tracks for artists such as The Diplomats, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Freeway and Memphis Bleek.

“Did you know that some artists are done with you if they don’t hear something great from you within five minutes?” Blaze added. “Jay sat in a room and listened to you for an hour, found those two, and sent you out. But after doing his first three, he said, I want to be a star.Three years later, I possession Base line. ”

JAY-Z also revealed the making of “U Don’t Know” in an interview. XXL In 2009, it was revealed that the song was born as a result of a beat-making battle between Just Blaze and Kanye West.

“During that time, I had two rooms at Baseline,” says Hov. “I was recording in a big room, and Just was playing beats in a small room. I heard what you were doing and just came back angry. Like, go back and just go [pounds fist on table]and just go in and be like yo.

“And it was like every day. It was like a heavyweight slugfest. For three days they were knocking each other out. And I remember him playing that joint.”

Revisit “U Don’t Know” below.