Jay-Z Drops Rare 1999 Collab
Jay-Z officially released a 1999 collaboration with mentor Jaz-O to streaming platforms and vinyl. The drop includes tracks that were previously unavailable on major digital services, fueling speculation of more archival releases as Jay-Z's 30th anniversary approaches.
The re-release of "N***a What, N***a Who (Originator 99)" marks a significant moment in a long and complex relationship between Jay-Z and his early mentor, Jaz-O. Jaz-O, an established rapper from Marcy Projects, took a young Jay-Z under his wing, teaching him how to refine his rap skills. Jay-Z's first commercial appearances were on Jaz-O's tracks, including "The Originators" and "Hawaiian Sophie" in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their relationship soured in the early 2000s due to a business dispute. Jay-Z reportedly offered Jaz-O a contract with his label Roc-A-Fella Records, which Jaz-O declined. This led to a years-long feud that played out in their music, with both artists trading diss tracks. On his 2009 album, *The Blueprint 3*, Jay-Z addressed the fallout on the track "What We Talkin' About," rapping, "Dame made millions, even Jaz made some scraps/He could've made more but he ain't sign his contract." Jaz-O responded with his own diss records, including a track titled "Ova." After more than a decade of estrangement, the two publicly reconciled in 2017 when Jaz-O attended a stop on Jay-Z's "4:44" tour in Chicago. This reunion paved the way for a new business relationship, with Jaz-O signing a distribution deal with Roc Nation's Equity Distribution in 2019 for his own Kingz Kounty Media Group. The 1999 collaboration, produced by Timbaland and also featuring Amil, appeared on Jay-Z's diamond-certified album *Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life*. Its subtitle, "Originator 99," is a direct reference to their earlier 1990 duet, "The Originators," showcasing their long history. This archival drop is part of a broader campaign celebrating the 30th anniversary of Jay-Z's career. It follows the first-ever digital release of the original 1996 single "Dead Presidents" and has fueled fan speculation about a major event or even a new album to mark the 30th anniversary of his debut, *Reasonable Doubt*, in June. The special vinyl edition of the single includes a curated selection of other tracks from Jay-Z's career, such as "It's Hot (Some Like It Hot)" and the 2003 hit "Dirt Off Your Shoulder."
