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Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...
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Wikipedia article
"'Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...'" is the second single from Jay-Z's tenth studio album, 'American Gangster'.Omar Burgess (October 1, 2007). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5765/title.hhdx-news-bits-young-buck-jay-z HHDX News Bits: Young Buck, Jay-Z]. HipHopDX. Accessed October 1, 2007. The song is produced by Skyz Muzik, Diddy and two of his producers known as LV and Sean C from his production team, The Hitmen.[http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=15480 The Producers Behind Jay-Z's 'American Gangster'] . 'XXL' (October 25, 2007. Accessed October 25, 2007. It features additional vocals by Beyonc, Kanye West and Cassie. The song samples "Make the Road by Walking" by The Menahan Street Band.[http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com/2007/10/sample-example-menahan-street-band-jay.html Sample & Example: Menahan Street Band & Jay-Z]. 'Hip-Hop Is Read' (October 24, 2007. Accessed October 24, 2007). On December 11, 2007, 'Rolling Stone' named it the best song of 2007.[https://web.archive.org/web/20071214110117/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007 The 100 Best Songs of 2007] 'Rolling Stone' (December 11, 2007). Accessed December 13, 2007.
Music video
The music video was directed by Chris Robinson and costume designed by June Ambrose. The video was shot in New York City in Jay-Z's The 40/40 Club.Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Liz Hernandez (November 8, 2007) [http://www.mtv.ca/news/article.jhtml?id=5073 Jay-Z Parties It Up With Mariah Carey, Nas, Diddy At 'Roc Boys' Video Shoot] 'MTV'. Accessed November 25, 2007.
The intro of the video contains the chorus from Hello Brooklyn 2.0. The video features cameo appearances by Nas, Rick Ross, Memphis Bleek, Diddy, Freeway, Terrence J, Tru Life, Young Gunz, Jadakiss, Yaya DaCosta, Swizz Beatz, Drew Sidora, Kristia Krueger, Chain 4, Chantel, Beanie Sigel, Cassie, DJ Clue, Larry Johnson, Tristan Wilds, Just Blaze, Zab Judah, The-Dream, Irv Gotti and Mariah Carey. Kanye West is not featured in the video because of a scheduling conflict, at the time he was on tour in Dubai, as posted in his blog.
The young Jay-Z was portrayed by actor Samgoma Edwards. Director Chris Robinson personally sought out Edwards for the role after Edwards and his older brother Samtubia Edwards and friend Chris Alvarez shot their own video project titled "The Young Hov Project",[https://www.youtube.com/user/TeamGuerrillaFilms TeamGuerrillaFilms] YouTube. Accessed November 25, 2007. based on tracks from Jay-Z's 'The Black Album'.Shaheem Reid and Jayson Rodriguez, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes and Liz Hernandez. [http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/111207/ Mixtape Monday: Jay-Z Borrows The-Dream's 'Hook'; Young Buck Says His Album 'Is Better Than Kanye's And 50's'] 'MTV'. Accessed November 25, 2007.
Remixes and sampling
Beanie Sigel has also announced that he and Jadakiss have finished the official remix of the track, which features the both of them on vocals.Def Sounds Reporting on Roc Boys Remix. [http://www.defsounds.com/news/Roc_boys_remix_to_feature_beanie_sigel_jadakiss Roc Boys Remix To Feature Beanie Sigel & Jadakiss] . Accessed December 14, 2007. However, there is an alternate remix featuring Young Chris from the Young Gunz and Busta Rhymes.
Rapper Asher Roth samples Roc Boys extensively in his own version of the song called Roth Boys which was released on his debut mixtape The Greenhouse Effect
Numerous freestyles were conducted by several artists such as Wale (present in 'The Mixtape About Nothing'), Asher Roth (present in "The Greenhouse Effect"), and Rick Ross.
This song was also sampled by The Game and Lil Wayne in the song "Red Magic" with the chorus by Lil Wayne, singing excerpts of "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)" chorus.
The song is referenced (if only in title) by fellow rapper and Jay-Z collaborator Saigon (rapper) on his debut album The Greatest Story Never Told.
The song is sampled heavily in Girl Talk's song "Set It Off".
The song was also sampled heavily in a remix produced by Norwegian DJ Matoma.
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
In popular culture
The instrumental version of Roc Boys is played at San Francisco Giants home games at Oracle Park as starting lineups are introduced.
See also
*List of songs recorded by Jay-Z
References
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