Reasonable Doubt (album)

Reasonable Doubt
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 25, 1996
Recorded1994–1996
StudioD&D Studios, New York City
Genre
  • East Coast hip-hop
  • mafioso rap
Length55:32
Label
  • Roc-A-Fella
  • Priority[1]
Producer
  • Damon Dash
  • Big Jaz
  • Clark Kent
  • DJ Irv
  • DJ Premier
  • Knobody
  • Peter Panic
  • Ski
  • K-Rob
Jay-Z chronology
Reasonable Doubt
(1996)
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
(1997)
Singles from Reasonable Doubt
  1. "Ain't No Nigga"
    Released: March 26, 1996
  2. "Can't Knock the Hustle"
    Released: August 29, 1996
  3. "Feelin' It"
    Released: April 15, 1997

Reasonable Doubt is the debut studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on June 25, 1996, by his own record label Roc-A-Fella Records and distributed by Priority Records. The album features production provided by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and also includes guest appearances from Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O, and the Notorious B.I.G., among others. The album features mafioso rap themes and gritty lyrics about the "hustler" lifestyle and material obsessions.

Reasonable Doubt debuted at number 23 on the US Billboard 200, on which it charted for 18 weeks. It was promoted with four singles; including "Ain't No Nigga" and "Can't Knock the Hustle". Reasonable Doubt was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and,[2] as of 2006, has sold 1.5 million copies in the United States.[3] A critical success, it has been ranked on several publications' lists of hip-hop's greatest albums, while many hip hop fans have viewed it as Jay-Z's best work. In August 2019, Reasonable Doubt was released to digital and streaming platforms under Roc Nation's independent label, Equity Distribution.[4]

  1. ^ Ralph Bristout (June 25, 2018). "The oral history of Jay Z's 'Reasonable Doubt' cover". Revolt. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  2. ^ "RIAA Platinum and Gold Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2007.
  3. ^ Trust, Gary (August 7, 2009). "Ask Billboard: Steve Vai, Jay Z, Radiohead". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
  4. ^ Cowen, Trace William. "JAY-Z's 'Reasonable Doubt' Now Available on YouTube Music Premium, SoundCloud, and More Streaming Services". finance.yahoo.com. Yahoo. Retrieved October 24, 2021.