Sample Flips: Jay-Z – “Imaginary Players” (Prod. by Prestige)

Rediscovering a gem on In My Lifetime, Vol.1.

After the release of 4:44 I had a newfound interest in revisiting Jay-Z’s catalog. I started with In My Lifetime, Vol.1 because it was the album I had the least memories with. DJ Premier sets the tone with the album’s intro, “A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More.” But it’s the fourth track, “Imaginary Players” that I couldn’t get past. The soul-sample based beat produced by Prestige grabbed me immediately. The song’s slow-tempo and it’s bass guitar groove plays up to all of Jay’s strengths. And the vocal stab Prestige uses takes the song in another direction. This is easily one of my favorite Jay-Z songs and I almost forgot it existed.

Jay-Z – “Imaginary Players” (Prod. by Prestige)

René & Angela – “Imaginary Playmates”