Throwback Track: Izzo (H.O.V.A.) - Jay-Z

Jay-Z - Sucker Free - MTV Shows

Speed: 88 bpm

The DJ’s Take: When this song came out almost a decade ago, I was not a fan. Blatant sample of an iconic Jackson 5 song, and a little too slow for my taste. Then again, I didn’t like Mo Money Mo Problems either when it was blowing up the radio in the mid 90s because it was too “pop.” It’s sort of like a cute puppy in a viral video though - it seems contrived at first, but it grows on you until you can’t hate on it anymore.

Here’s an added bonus - if you’re a DJ, and you’ve spun Empire State of Mind more times than you can count in the last couple months, this throwback from 2001 is almost a perfect match, both bpm and key-wise (assuming you have a key adjust button on your equipment). Instant 7 or 8 minute Jay-Z mix right there, and it sounds pretty sweet when you do it right. In any case, it’s a 4 mic track off a 5 mic album, so give it a spin.

Download the MP3: Izzo (H.O.V.A.) [Explicit]

DJs - mix this with: Empire State of Mind