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88. Original Flavor f/ Jay-Z "Can I Get Open?" (1994)

88. Original Flavor f/ Jay-Z "Can I Get Open?" (1994)

Producer: Ski
Album: Beyond Flavor
Label: Atlantic


Before Ski was banging out beats on Jay's Reasonable Doubt album, he was in a relatively-obscure early-90s rap group by the name of Original Flavor. The trio took a chance on the budding emcee, and invited a then-unknown Jay-Z (who was still best known for rolling with Jaz) to contribute the final verse to their “Can I Get Open” single.

Jay was still kicking his double-time speed rap and iggity iggitied all over the track. There was even an accompanying video, which featured a young Hova rocking a bandana 2Pac style. Obviously, Jay made incredible strides over the years, but it's always good to see his humble beginnings. Still, if you were watching this video in 1994 and someone pointed at Jay and said, “That guy is going to go down as one of the best to ever do it,” would you believe them?

Tags: jay-z, 100-best-songs
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