Jay Z's The Blueprint 3 (sampling sources)

By Kenton Rambsy

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

The Blueprint 3
Release Date: September 8, 2009

1. "What We Talkin' About" (with Luke Steele) (Runtime: 4:04)
Producer: Kanye West, No I.D.
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Spirit ” by Frederic Mercier (1978)

2. "Thank You" (Runtime: 4:10)
Producer: Kanye West, No I.D.
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Ele E Ela ” by Marcos Valle (1970)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Keys Open Doors” by Clipse (2006)

3. "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" (Runtime: 4:15)
Producer: No I.D.
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ In the Space” by Janko Nilovic and Dave Sucky (1970)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam (1969)
• “ You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You) ” by The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)
• “ Big Brother ” by Kanye West (2007)

4. "Run This Town" (with Rihanna and Kanye West) (Runtime: 4:27)
Producer: Kanye West, No I.D.
Hook/Riff:
• “ Someday in Athens” by The 4 Levels of Existence (1976)

5. "Empire State of Mind" (with Alicia Keys) (Runtime: 4:36)
Producer: Al Shux, Janet Sewell-Ulepic, Angela Hunte (co.)
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Love on a Two Way Street ” by The Moments (1969)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Theme From New York, New York ” by Frank Sinatra (1980)

6. "Real as It Gets" (with Young Jeezy) (Runtime: 4:12)
Producer: The Inkredibles

7. "On to the Next One" (with Swizz Beatz) (Runtime: 4:17)
Producer: Swizz Beatz
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ D.A.N.C.E. (Live Version)” by Justice (2007)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Boy Looka Here” by Rich Boy (2007)
• “ A Who Seh Me Dun ” by Cutty Ranks (1992)

8. "Off That" (with Drake) (Runtime: 4:06)
Producer: Timbaland, Jerome Harmon

9. "A Star Is Born" (with J. Cole) (Runtime: 3:48)
Producer: Kanye West, Kenoe, No I.D.
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Touch Me ” by Mother Freedom Band (1977)

10. "Venus vs. Mars" (Runtime: 3:10)
Producer: Timbaland, Jerome Harmon

11. "Already Home" (with Kid Cudi) (Runtime: 4:29)
Producer: Kanye West, No I.D., Jeff Bhasker (add.)
Hook/Riff:
• “ Mad Mad Ivy” by Gladdy's Allstars (1972)
Vocals/Lyrics:
• “ Public Service Announcement (Interlude) ” by Jay Z (2003)

12. "Hate" (with Kanye West) (Runtime: 2:31)
Producer: Kanye West

13. "Reminder" (Runtime: 4:18)
Producer: Timbaland, Jerome Harmon

14. "So Ambitious" (with Pharrell) (Runtime: 4:12)
Producer: The Neptunes
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Memory Lane ” by Minnie Riperton (1979)

15. "Young Forever" (with Mr Hudson) (Runtime: 4:13)
Producer: Kanye West
Instrumentation and Composition:
• “ Forever Young ” by Alphaville (1984)

Related:
• The African American Literary Studies Lab