Sowmya Krishnamurthy Celebrates Jay-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ with New Book
On Thursday (June 25), journalist and author Sowmya Krishnamurthy took advantage of hip-hop’s celebration for Jay-Z’s 30th anniversary debut album, Reasonable Doubt, by previewing a page from her upcoming book about Roc-A-Fella Records, The Blueprint.
“To celebrate Jay-Z and Reasonable Doubt, here’s a sneak peek from my new book, The Blueprint,” Krishnamurthy tweeted in celebration of the legendary rapper’s legacy.
Leading up to the anticipated Yankee Stadium concerts in July, Jay-Z and Roc Nation unveiled multiple commemorative pop-ups throughout New York City. The activations support the classic 1996 album that includes memorable songs such as “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” “Ain’t No N***a,” and “Dead Presidents II.”
The Legacy of The Blueprint
Krishnamurthy’s The Blueprint retraces the steps that took Roc-A-Fella Records—founded by Jay-Z, Dame Dash, and Kareem “Biggs” Burke—from an unknown independent to one of the most influential brands in hip-hop. Titled “Reasonable Doubt,” the chapter 8 excerpt opens with Jay’s reflection on the album that began his legendary career. The debut album that redefined East Coast Hip-hop was originally meant to be his last. “When I made my first album, it was my intention to make it my last,” said Hov.
Early in the chapter, Krishnamurthy recreates the signature atmosphere Hov and Roc-A-Fella created in the “Dead Presidents” music video, where Jay, Biggie Smalls, Dame, Biggs, AZ, Lil’ Cease, Smoothe da Hustler, and Ty Ty gathered around a Monopoly board stacked with real cash and bottles of Cristal. It inspired a generation as it became one of 90s hip-hop’s most memorable moments.
Behind the Music
“Aight now, fittin’ that we’re all playing games here, being that we’re all players, you know? Monopoly is the perfect game for us,” Jay-Z says before shaking the dice in “Dead President II.” Krishnamurthy spoke to rap legend AZ about the game and its authenticity. “It was like a Brooklyn thing,” he recalled. “Everybody wanted to play Monopoly with real money, so we just brought it to life, man.”
The page focuses on “Dead Presidents II,” with the author talking to the song’s producer, Ski Beatz, about the track’s samples. Most fans know the classic track has a sample from Nas, but also hall-of-fame rap group A Tribe Called Quest and legendary pianist Lonnie Liston Smith. Krishnamurthy teases the untold story behind how Ski Beatz originally left the Nas sample on the track, which Jay agreed to.
The Blueprint will be released by publisher Simon & Schuster on November 30. The upcoming book marks Krishnamurthy’s second release with the publisher, following her debut book, Fashion Killa. Krishnamurthy’s upcoming book promises an in-depth chronicle of Jay-Z from Brooklyn hustler to one of hip-hop’s most influential moguls.
Chapter 8 is fans’ first glimpse inside the book. Krishnamurthy has been regularly promoting The Blueprint on her YouTube channel alongside relatable content. Pre-orders are available now.
Jay-Z’s upcoming Yankee Stadium concerts will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt on Friday, July 10, and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint on Saturday, July 11. A third show, known as the “extra innings,” will be on Sunday, July 12. An 8-part Jay-Z interview with legendary hip-hop producer Rick Rubin was also announced on Thursday, set to premiere on HBO this Fall.