Jay-Z released his debut album on Roc-A-Fella Records, the label he had founded with Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, originally in 1996 and in partnership with Priority Records. Reasonable Doubt tells cool, detailed stories of hustler life in Brooklyn over beats from producers including DJ Premier, Ski and DJ Clark Kent. Jazz and soul samples give the album a restrained, rich atmosphere.

The Notorious B.I.G. joins him on "Brooklyn's Finest" and Mary J. Blige sings on "Can't Knock the Hustle", while "Dead Presidents II", "D'Evils" and "Can I Live" are among the best-known tracks. On the Billboard 200 the album peaked at number 23 at the time.

This edition is a 2LP.