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Ain't No Nigga

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Wikipedia article




"'Ain't No Nigga'" is the second single from the American rapper Jay-Z's first album, 'Reasonable Doubt', and is featured on the soundtrack to the 1996 Eddie Murphy movie, 'The Nutty Professor'. It was released on March 19, 1996. The track features Foxy Brown, and uncredited vocals by Jaz-O.

Background



The song's beat is produced by Big Jaz who samples "Seven Minutes of Funk" by the funk band The Whole Darn Family. The song's chorus was sung by Jaz-O, and interpolates "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)" by the Four Tops. The "Ain't No Nigga" single goes under the clean alias '"Ain't No Playa"'. Foxy Brown was 17 at the time when the song was recorded and the music video was filmed.

Citing the funky production and lyrics about unfaithful relationships, Spence D. of IGN.com describes it as "one of the better opposite sex rap duets ever laid on wax."Spence D. [http://music.ign.com/articles/458/458784p1.html "Reasonable Doubt Review"] . IGN.com. November 10, 2003. Retrieved June 25, 2007.

"Ain't No Nigga" is cited as playing a significant role in securing Jay-Z's record deal[http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Nick_Raphael_Interview.html "Interview With Nick Raphael"] , 'HitQuarters', 25 May 2005. with Def Jam. According to Sony BMG A&R Nick Raphael, "Will Socolof of Freeze Records sent me a CD and a video and said to me, "This guy is incredible, but he needs a bigger label to take over. Are you interested?" The record he sent to me was "Ain't No Nigga" and I went crazy, thinking that I had to sign him!"

Music video



The music video of the song, which was shot in Miami, starts with a scene similar to a scene of the film 'Scarface'. It is the second time the album references the film, the first with the start of "Can't Knock the Hustle". The music video features a cameo by The Notorious B.I.G.

Formats and track listings



Vinyl

'A-Side'

# "Ain't No Playa (Rae & Christian Mix)"

# "Ain't No Playa (Original Mix)"

'B-Side'

# "Ain't No Playa (Fresh to Def Mix)"

# "Ain't No Playa (New York Street Mix)"

Vinyl (remixes)

'A-Side'

# "Ain't No Nigga (Ganja Kru Mix)"

'B-Side'

# "Can't Knock the Hustle (Desired State Remix)"

Charts



Weekly charts



See also



*List of songs recorded by Jay-Z

References



Category:1996 singles

Category:Jay-Z songs

Category:Foxy Brown (rapper) songs

Category:Songs written by Dennis Lambert

Category:Songs written by Brian Potter (musician)

Category:Songs written by Jay-Z

Category:Songs written by Jaz-O

Category:Song recordings produced by Jaz-O

Category:1996 songs

Category:Roc-A-Fella Records singles

Category:Songs written by Foxy Brown (rapper)

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