The Tens: The Top Ten Just Blaze Productions
In Jay-Z’s new book, Decoded, he describes Just Blaze’s production style as “dramatic music”. Great adjective. With the recent release of Saigon’s The Greatest Story Never Told- in which Just Blaze has a hand in producing 17 out of the 18 tracks- we here at TheWellVersed thought we should take a trip down memory lane and highlight 10 of Just Blaze’s greatest beats. There are certainly more than 10 that could have made the list so argue all you want about certain beats missing. It’s called “The Tens” not “The Thirties.”
10. The Game- “Church For Thugs”, The Documentary
This album set all of California ablaze for about a year. The Game’s impressive debut boasted high-profile producers such as Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Timbaland, and yes, Just Blaze. Roll your windows down and ride through Los Angeles blasting this cut.
9. Jay-Z- “American Gangster”, American Gangster
A bonus cut of Hova’s album; this is what you call “I-call-it-the-clearport” music. With stirring samples taking center stage, Just Blaze and Jay-Z make the best triumph music without a doubt. This will be a recurring theme here.
Jay-Z – “American Gangster”
8. Fabolous- “Breathe”, Real Talk
Pitchfork Media said this instrumental, “sounds like the track Fab was always meant to rhyme over”. How about we scratch out Fab and put anybody. One of the biggest records of 2004, Just’s magic with samples and snares have the country running out of breath.
Fabolous – “Breathe”
7. Memphis Bleek (*cough Jay-Z *cough)- “Dear Summer”, 534
Show of hands; how many of you have this as your only “Memphis Bleek” song in your iTunes? One of the smoothest instrumentals around, Jigga completely overshadows his then label-mate with one of the smoothest flows around. And how about that breakdown at the end? ‘You gotta let me go baby, you gotta let me go…’
Jay-Z – “Dear Summer”
6. Jay-Z- “December 4th”, The Black Album
With horns and snares that tug at your heartstrings with every passing second, Just Blaze definitely sets an impressive opening act to Jay’s alleged last album. Intimate narratives match the reflective instrumental, making this a personal favorite of Jay-Z fans everywhere.
Jay-Z – “December 4th”
5. Saigon feat Jay-Z- “Come On Baby”, The Greatest Story Never Told
This song had the internet going nuts when it first burst onto the scene about two years ago. Now that Saigon’s album has finally been liberated to the fans, this banger has found new life, for good reason. With overbearing choruses and piano loops, you’ll still find yourself breaking your neck to this.
Saigon Feat. Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz – “Come On Baby”
4. Jay Electronica- “Exhibit C”, TBA
Hopefully, this track has the same fate as the afore mentioned and finds itself on a project soon. Now that Jay Elec is with Jay-Z, let’s hope we get more projects and more Just Blaze collaborations. Jay Electronica does lyrical gymnastics all over the drum breakdowns and hypnotizing samples of Blaze. I rest my case.
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C”
3. Freeway feat Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel- “What We Do”, Philadelphia Freeway
Back in the glory days of the ROC, posse cuts like this were at a premium. The veracious flow of Freeway bounced off every bass thump of Just Blaze’s instrumental- with each time your neck thrust getting more violent. Then Jay-Z came through and switched up the flow on everybody. I want a reunion. Freeway Feat. Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel – “What We Do”
2. Kanye West Feat. Lupe Fiasco – “Touch The Sky”, Late Registration
The only track on Ye’s sophomore effort not touched by him (or Jon Brion), Touch The Sky almost shot up on the charts as high as the horns it flaunted. With Kanye’s egotistical flow propelling off every horn thrust, not one person’s confidence was left grounded at the end of this cut.
Kanye West Feat. Lupe Fiasco – “Touch The Sky”
1. Jay-Z- “Public Service Announcement”, The Black Album
With every mesmerizing horn rift in the Just Blaze instrumental came more assault from Jay-Z, in an ‘and-I’m-not-done” fashion. Bar for bar, snare for snare, both producer and emcee were in perfect harmony for this recording. “Hov-OH,- not D.O.C./ But similar to them letters, ‘No One Can Do It Better’”. And like The D.O.C., behind pompous production, not too many made better music.
Jay-Z – “Public Service Announcement
Juelz Santana – The Second Coming is missing. Great list though. Blaze is a god
i really mean it by the diplomats is a classic!
Where is “You Don’t Know” or “Show You How To Do This” by Jay-Z?! **tosses laptop out the window**
just thought id let you know that you put American Dreamin (also a dope track off the album) instead of American Gangster…
I 2nd “You Don’t Know”, and most people won’t agree with this, but “Dynomite (Going Postal)” by Rhymefest should be in there.
Just Blaze is definitely the hottest producer in the game, with main production for Saigon’s and Jay Eletronica’s respective albums this year. I just wrote a post about his rise to the top on my own blog (click my name) and I forgot ‘Dear Summer’! What an awesome song, even if it is Jay-Z…
I agree with #1 too, epic song. Sick post
this list is a joke. Ever hear of the blueprint girls girls girls?song cry? u don’t know?. roc the mic?losing weight? or even big puns off wit his head atleast react from erick sermon
It’s hard to make a top 10 list for just, but I’d definitely take out exhibit c, touch the sky, and American gangster. For ignorant shit, you don’t know, and oh boy