Can't Knock the Hustle
Encyclopedia
"Can't Knock the Hustle" is the third single from rapper
Jay-Z
's debut album Reasonable Doubt
. The song features a beat produced by Knobody
, co-produced by Sean C and Dahoud Darien, as well as a chorus sung by Mary J. Blige
.
's first foray into outside production after the rap group he was in disbanded. Knobody
had been very pleased with the last track he had produced for the band and, together with Sean C, had taken it to the nearby home of Roc-A-Fella's Damon Dash
. Dash then showed it to Jay-Z, who was suitably impressed and encouraged the young producer to contribute beats. Knobody
then gave Jay-Z the backing track to what would become "Can't Knock The Hustle". The rapper then recorded the track.
A space was left for the hook, which the Latin singer Veronica
was originally supposed to sing, but for which Mary J. Blige stepped in after Roc-A-Fella had contacted her and she heard the track and immediately wanted to get involved. The appearance of Blige was considered a major coup because the label was an independent and Jay-Z was unknown at the time. Blige came up with the idea for the chorus., which is a vocal interpolation of a verse from "Fool's Paradise" by Meli'sa Morgan
, with slightly modified lyrics.
Before the song begins, Pain in da Ass delivers a monologue
from the 1983 gangster film Scarface
. Jay-Z then proceeds to deliver mafioso lyrics about drug dealing
and street life.
A live version of "Can't Knock the Hustle" found on the bonus disc of Kingdom Come
features Beyoncé
singing the song's hook. The song's beat has been heavily sampled by UK soul singer Lemar
in his song 50/50
, "Can't Knock the Hustle" also garnered much critical acclaim. As Steve Juon of RapReviews.com states: "Knobody
put together an incredibly smooth opening track for Jay that became the mantra of his career. With a bouncy beat and Mary J. Blige on the hook, the song was infinitely danceable, but the lyrics he spit were far from just the average shit." Juon also considers the Hype Williams
-directed music video for "Cant Knock the Hustle" to be "movie quality."
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
's debut album Reasonable Doubt
Reasonable Doubt
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 appearances from Memphis Bleek,...
. The song features a beat produced by Knobody
Knobody
Jerome Foster, better known as Knobody, is an American music producer and A&R. Knobody has produced records across different genres including soul, R&B, hip hop and rock for several multi-platinum artists including Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Akon, The Game, Big Pun, Mýa and R.E.M....
, co-produced by Sean C and Dahoud Darien, as well as a chorus sung by Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
.
Background
"Can't Knock the Hustle" marked KnobodyKnobody
Jerome Foster, better known as Knobody, is an American music producer and A&R. Knobody has produced records across different genres including soul, R&B, hip hop and rock for several multi-platinum artists including Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Akon, The Game, Big Pun, Mýa and R.E.M....
's first foray into outside production after the rap group he was in disbanded. Knobody
Knobody
Jerome Foster, better known as Knobody, is an American music producer and A&R. Knobody has produced records across different genres including soul, R&B, hip hop and rock for several multi-platinum artists including Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Akon, The Game, Big Pun, Mýa and R.E.M....
had been very pleased with the last track he had produced for the band and, together with Sean C, had taken it to the nearby home of Roc-A-Fella's Damon Dash
Damon Dash
__NOINDEX__...
. Dash then showed it to Jay-Z, who was suitably impressed and encouraged the young producer to contribute beats. Knobody
Knobody
Jerome Foster, better known as Knobody, is an American music producer and A&R. Knobody has produced records across different genres including soul, R&B, hip hop and rock for several multi-platinum artists including Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Akon, The Game, Big Pun, Mýa and R.E.M....
then gave Jay-Z the backing track to what would become "Can't Knock The Hustle". The rapper then recorded the track.
A space was left for the hook, which the Latin singer Veronica
Veronica (singer)
Veronica is a dance music singer and theatrical actress. Along with singers Ultra Nate, Deborah Cox, she is considered to be one of the divas of the 1990s club music scene...
was originally supposed to sing, but for which Mary J. Blige stepped in after Roc-A-Fella had contacted her and she heard the track and immediately wanted to get involved. The appearance of Blige was considered a major coup because the label was an independent and Jay-Z was unknown at the time. Blige came up with the idea for the chorus., which is a vocal interpolation of a verse from "Fool's Paradise" by Meli'sa Morgan
Meli'sa Morgan
Meli'sa Morgan is an African American R&B singer born in Queens, New York who had a string of urban contemporary and house music hits in the 1980s and 1990s. She got her start in the music industry whilst singing with a church gospel choir called the Starlets of Corona...
, with slightly modified lyrics.
Before the song begins, Pain in da Ass delivers a monologue
Monologue
In theatre, a monologue is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience. Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media...
from the 1983 gangster film Scarface
Scarface (1983 film)
Scarface is a 1983 American epic crime drama movie directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone, produced by Martin Bregman and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana...
. Jay-Z then proceeds to deliver mafioso lyrics about drug dealing
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
and street life.
A live version of "Can't Knock the Hustle" found on the bonus disc of Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album)
Kingdom Come is the ninth studio album by American rap artist Jay-Z. It was released on November 21, 2006. It was considered a "comeback album" for the established rapper, as 2003's The Black Album was slated to be his final release...
features Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
singing the song's hook. The song's beat has been heavily sampled by UK soul singer Lemar
Lemar
Lemar Obika , professionally known simply as Lemar, is an English recording artist. Obika has had a run of chart success in the UK, Europe and Australia...
in his song 50/50
Acclaim
Aside from reaching #73 on The Billboard Hot 100 and #30 on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, "Can't Knock the Hustle" also garnered much critical acclaim. As Steve Juon of RapReviews.com states: "Knobody
Knobody
Jerome Foster, better known as Knobody, is an American music producer and A&R. Knobody has produced records across different genres including soul, R&B, hip hop and rock for several multi-platinum artists including Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Akon, The Game, Big Pun, Mýa and R.E.M....
put together an incredibly smooth opening track for Jay that became the mantra of his career. With a bouncy beat and Mary J. Blige on the hook, the song was infinitely danceable, but the lyrics he spit were far from just the average shit." Juon also considers the Hype Williams
Hype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
-directed music video for "Cant Knock the Hustle" to be "movie quality."
CD
- "Can't Knock the Hustle (Original Mix)"
- "Can't Knock the Hustle (Instrumental)"
- "Can't Knock the Hustle (Acapella)"
- "Can't Knock the Hustle (Hani Remix)"
A-Side
- "Can't Knock the Hustle (Original Mix)"
- "Can't Knock the Hustle (Instrumental)"
- "Can't Knock the Hustle (Acapella)"