Jay Z's American Gangster (sampling sources)

By Kenton Rambsy

This post is part of our "Sampling & Signifying: The Music of Jay Z" series. 

American Gangster
Release Date: November 6, 2007

1. "Intro" (Runtime: 2:00)
Producer: Chris Flames, Idris Elba (co.)

2. "Pray" (Runtime: 4:24)
Producer: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Sean C & LV for The Hitmen
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ New Earth ” by Hank Marvin (1977)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Hey Young World” by Slick Rick (1988)
• “ FX & Scratches (Vol. 5)” by Simon Harris (1990)

3. "American Dreamin'" (Runtime: 4:47)
Producer: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Sean C, LV, Mario Winans for The Hitmen (co.)
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Soon I'll Be Loving You Again ” by Marvin Gaye (1976)

4. "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" (featuring Lil Wayne) (Runtime: 3:55)
Producer: Bigg D
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ B-Boy Bouillabaisse” by Beastie Boys (1989)

5. "No Hook" (Runtime: 3:13)
Producer: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Sean C & LV for The Hitmen
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Love Serenade” by Barry White (1975)

6. "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..." (Runtime: 4:12)
Producer: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Sean C & LV for The Hitmen
Hook/Riff:
• “ Make the Road by Walking ” by Menahan Street Band (2006)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ My Drink N My 2 Step (Remix)” by Cassidy feat. Kanye West, Ne-Yo and Swizz Beatz (2007))

7. "Sweet" (Runtime: 3:26)
Producer: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Sean C & LV for The Hitmen
Hook/Riff:
• “ Does Your Mama Know ” by Rudy Love & the Love Family (1976)

8. "I Know" (featuring Pharrell) (Runtime: 3:42)
Producer: The Neptunes
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Bonita Applebum ” by A Tribe Called Quest (1990)

9. "Party Life" (Runtime: 4:29)
Producer: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Sean C & LV for The Hitmen
Hook/Riff:
• “ Get Into the Party Life ” by Little Beaver (1975)

10. "Ignorant Shit" (featuring Beanie Sigel) (Runtime: 3:41)
Producer: Just Blaze
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Between the Sheets ” by The Isley Brothers (1983)

11. "Say Hello" (Runtime: 5:26)
Producer: DJ Toomp
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ The Love We Share Is the Greatest of Them All ” by Tom Brock (1974)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Git Up, Git Out ” by OutKast feat. Goodie Mob (1994)

12. "Success" (featuring Nas) (Runtime: 3:30)
Producer: No I.D., Jermaine Dupri (co.)
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Funky Thing Pt. 1 ” by Larry Ellis & the Black Hammer (1968)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ I'm Back ” by Eminem (2000)
Movie:
• “ Success Took a Shot at You” from American Gangster (2007)

13. "Fallin'" (Runtime: 4:06)
Producer: Jermaine Dupri, No I.D. (co.)
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Fell for You” by The Dramatics (1973)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Funky for You” by Nice & Smooth (1989)

14. "Blue Magic" (Runtime: 4:10)
Producer: The Neptunes
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Hold On ” by En Vogue (1990)
• “ My Melody ” by Eric B. & Rakim (1987)
Movie:
• “ Trailer ” from Young Frankenstein (1974)
• “ Diluting the Brand” from American Gangster (2007)

15. "American Gangster" (Runtime: 3:40)
Producer: Just Blaze
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Short Eyes ” by Curtis Mayfield (1977)

Related:
• The African American Literary Studies Lab