Hip-Hop Classic #26: Jay-Z - Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Chosen by Alessandro Moro)

All words by Alessandro Moro: "Jay-Z's "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" was the first ever vinyl I bought, when at the age of 16, I went through that wannabe DJ stage that most music enthusiasts have been through in their time. If you're reading this, I know you've been there! It's safe to say that the phase didn't last but my love for Jay-Z had just begun. The track was of course taken from The Black album, which to date remains one of my favourite albums of all time. It was produced by Timbaland in a time that he was at his creative peak and there was no better. The beat is like audible drugs; it gets everyone on a hype from the drop! My love for this track grew even bigger, when a few years ago, some amazing footage of Timbaland playing the beat to Jay-Z in the studio surfaced. Jigga's reaction is priceless. That's how you end a song...."