"Brooklyn Go Hard" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z, featuring guest vocals from American indie singer Santigold, released as a promotional single by Bad Boy Records/Fox Searchlight Pictures on December 1, 2008 for the Notorious B.I.G. biopic, Notorious. Serving as the film's theme song, both performers co-wrote the song with American rapper Kanye West, who produced it.
| "Brooklyn Go Hard" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single by Jay-Z featuring Santigold | |
| from the album Notorious (soundtrack) | |
| Released | December 1, 2008 |
| Recorded | 2008 |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Length | 4:02 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Kanye West |
During the song's hook, a sample of Santigold's 2008 song "Shove It" is heard, although she herself contributes a separate performance to "Brooklyn Go Hard" in the latter song's final verse.[1][2] It was initially downloadable exclusively through a subscription to (RED)Wire, with a portion of the profits going towards Bono's Product Red organization. Upon Jay-Z's acquisition of TIDAL, the song was released through the service. As of 2024, it remains unavailable on any other streaming platform.[3]
Santigold first hinted at a collaboration in an interview with NME, stating that she "may also do something with Jay-Z, it's kind of secret – it's not for anything, it's just 'cause we want to."[4][5] The use of a Kanye West-produced instrumental based around a female voice sample is reminiscent of Jay-Z and T.I.'s "Swagga Like Us", which was released months prior and sampled M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes".
In 2013, the song was used in television advertising for the Jackie Robinson biopic 42: The True Story of an American Legend.[6]
Remixes
editThe official remix to the song features alternate performances from Santigold, as well as rapper Foxy Brown and singer Wayne Wonder. Crooked I, Fabolous, Joell Ortiz, Royce da 5'9", Mos Def and Sauce Money have all released freestyles to the song, while Raekwon has released a loose remake, "Staten Go Hard".
Charts
edit"Brooklyn Go Hard" initially peaked at number two on Billboard's Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles.[7] The following week, it debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 62 and peaked at number 61 since then.[8][9] "Brooklyn Go Hard" entered the Hot Rap Tracks chart at number 18.[10]
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 61 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks | 18 |
References
edit- ^ "Jay-Z feat. Santigold's 'Brooklyn Go Hard' sample of Santigold feat. Spank Rock's 'Shove It' / WhoSampled". WhoSampled.
- ^ Shaheem Reid (2008-12-03). "'Notorious' soundtrack details revealed: features Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Faith Evans, Biggie's Son". MTV News. MTV. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
- ^ "Jay-Z, Santigold, Killers, U2 launch new Red charity download service". NME. IPC Media. 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
- ^ "Santogold working with Jay-Z, Beastie Boys, Roots Manuva". NME. IPC Media. 2008-07-22. Archived from the original on 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
- ^ "Jay-Z samples Santigold for B.I.G. biopic". In the Mix. 2008-12-02. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
- ^ "[Movie News] Jay-Z Song Featured in "42″ Jackie Robinson Biopic Trailer « the Angie Martinez Show". Archived from the original on 2013-01-13. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
- ^ "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Archived from the original on 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
- ^ Jonathan Cohen (2008-12-11). "Britney debuts big, but T.I. tops Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Archived from the original on 2014-06-09. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
- ^ "Hot Rap Tracks". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Archived from the original on 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2008-12-11.