Jay-Z‘s groundbreaking album, “Reasonable Doubt”, will be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Nearly three decades after its release, the Hip-Hopl mogul’s debut release will be recognized by the Grammy Museum and the Recording Academy’s Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala on May 16, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.
Released in 1996, “Reasonable Doubt” features Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O, and the Notorious B.I.G. DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody, and Clark Kent, contributed to the production. The album has been lauded as one of Hip-Hop’s greatest masterpieces.
“I think that’s the reason why it was so good, because it was more, like, effortless,” reflected DJ Clark Kent to SPIN during the album’s 20th anniversary year in 2016. “‘Yeah, we gon’ do it. We gon’ put this record out and we gon’ walk away.’ That’s what the plan was.”
The project featured classics like “Dead Presidents II,” “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” and The Notorious B.I.G.-backed “Brooklyn’s Finest,”
“Reasonable Doubt” joins works from Big Star, Clara Ward, Eddie Floyd, Emmylou Harris, Fela Kuti & Afrika 70, Geeshie Wiley, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, J.D. Crowe & The New South, Linda Martell, and Luther Vandross with the pending special recognition.
“It’s a privilege to recognize these eclectic recordings as the 2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductees,” expressed Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy in a statement. “Music has the unique power to shape culture and mark moments in time. Each inducted recording reflects that spirit, and we’re excited to celebrate these impactful works, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire generations to come.”
