Avg Rating: 
3.9 ( 147 total votes )
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Artist: Jay-Z
Featuring: Kanye West , Rihanna
Producer: Kanye West & No I.D.
Album: The Blueprint 3
Label: Roc Nation/Universal Music Group
Back in early June, Jay-Z gave us the first taste of Blueprint 3 with D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune), a buzz record released for the express purpose of creating interest through controversy (and whaddayaknow, it worked!) In contrast to that cut’s contentious message, the central thesis of the first official single is one that few could argue with: Hova’s back, and he and his crew are gonna Run This Town. Released last Friday at exactly 9:11 AM, the record may be preaching to the choir, but, featuring a mid-tempo, piano/electric guitar beat coproduced by Chi-town icons No I.D. and Kanye West (the latter of whom also steps up to the mic for a closing verse), as well as a high-powered hook by Bajan hitmaker Rihanna, it’s certainly got the star power to keep the nation on lock. Jay’s own lyrical prowess is, of course, on full display here; his braggadocio-laden bars leave no doubt as to why he’s one of the most renowned names in today’s game. This single is sure to stir up yet more anticipation for the final entry in Hova’s acclaimed trilogy, set to hit stores September 11th off the artist’s own Roc Nation imprint.
This song first appeared on the
Top Hip Hop / R&B Chart
on August 10, 2009
Listen to More: Jay-Z , Kanye West , Rihanna , Club Written by richard
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Showing 50 of 147 Ratings. See All Ratings
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DJ Booth Member |
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well everybody's been talkin about this one...im a die hard hov fan, and like the track, but don't love it as a single. rihanna does a nice job with the hook, but u can tell her vocal range is fairly limited. kanye's verse was nice, but it annoys me that he used a lot of the same sounds from "brooklyn go hard" for the beat...i give the record concept by hov a 5, but the beat and track on the whole a 3...
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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forgot to rate
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1642 |
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bein in NYC, i heard this song yesterday on the radio.
with Rihanna, Jay Z, & Kanye, i wud expect a BANGER. but. no, not really. rihanna was nice on this, like djgohard says. kanye was good too. but jayz brought this down for meh. i feel he cud came harder or made it a lil more fun for us. but hey. rotation. |
| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker |
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When I saw the lineup on this song a few days ago I thought it would be a straight up classic but I was left a little dissapointed. It is still a great song for a single. Rihanna sounds solid on the hook and Jay-Z was dope as usual. I felt that Kanye's verse was average to his standards. This single lacks the catchiness of a hit single but the star power and production on this makes it a banger for me. This could of been a classic but I feel its lacking something in the production.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I like Jayz's flow on this one. A bit disappointed for such a great line up, but banger nonetheless
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker |
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Like others have said, when I saw this Friday, I was a little disappointed, considering the line-up. My expectations were probably too high though, because listening to it now, this track is pretty dope. Rhianna sounded good on the hook and I thought she went great with the production. Hova and Kanye both had very solid appearances. This song is gonna blow up. Not quite a classic, but definitely a banger.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2130 |
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I don't understand how this ISN'T a classic. I really think people are getting spoiled and becoming so over critical of music nowadays.
This joint is off the chains. The production is off the chains. I love the Kanye West signature drums. He’s used those on a few of his earlier joints and this joint with Consequence called “So Soulful”, which I was ironically thinking about the other day. Kanye West is still the #1 rap cat, as well as Jay. I rocked with him all during 808s, but I’m glad he’s back to his all-star rapping. I hope to get a new Ye Rap Album really soon here. I love Rihanna to life. She was great on here. Some records don't need a bunch of Beyonce harmonies and all that...just keep it simple, studpid. (Notice how Rihanna was chosen though over Jay-Z's significant other...lol. NO SHOTS!) This is good music and y'all should appreciate it. While everybody keeps saying that Jay should spit like he did before must have not been listening to him on the Blueprint 3 Intro Freestyle: "People keep talkin about Hov take it back I'm doin' better than before, why would I do that?" Done. " |
| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11866 |
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LIVE FROM LA:
Not sure I really like this. I have been told by several people that its a repeat-listen kinda song. I guess I will need to listen several more times. We will see. For now... 
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Its cool. It's Jay
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 27 |
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i think this is pretty good but just by looking at the artists who really do run this town you know we are gonna here this a lot
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker |
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i agree with Young Son, but ive never been a Jay z fan, he did alright, kanye tore it up in my opinion, and rihanna was good on the hook, but i dont like what she sings after she says "who gonna run this town tonight", she gos AYYYYAYAAAYYYYAy, it just obnoxious to my ears ha
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I believe the same thing, that more than half the people on here think, da song waz decent, it didn't really reach da level I waz hopin for when i saw, Jay-z ft. Rihanna and Kanye, but da song iz definitely a banger
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 1624 |
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Like Z said it wasn't giving me the wow factor upon first listen, but I gotta say this song is constantly in my head now and it's growing on me majorly. The biggest thing to take away from this is how much Ye shined over Hov on his own joint! (IMO at least). I still think he's got better songs planned for BP3 but for now this is more thanenough.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 433 |
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This is by no means classic. First off there was way to much Rihanna, and her hook was kinda annoying. Then you have Kanye's verse which wasn't a verse more like an atom bomb on the rap game. Otherwise the production was awesome. I personally like DOA better. The track I'm waiting for is Empire State of Mind.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 267 |
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cb126405 took the words right out of my..keyboard. Nice track overall, with Ye rising above the rest. However, I do hope he has better tracks awaiting release from BP3.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1345 |
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This is fire! Apart from Rihanna being kinda annoying, Jay and Yeezy KILLED it, especially Kanye!
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 213 |
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the production is good, rihanna did great on the hook. I really think kanye outshined Jay-z on this one, but they both came hard. At first I wasnt totally impressed, but the more i listen to it the more i like it. Overall its a good track, but i'm hoping for better stuff from jay on the blueprint 3.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 637 |
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This is a banger. The production, the flow, everything just seems to join together nicely. However i gotta say Kanye's verse was the highlight of this track, better than Jay. Rihanna's voice on this is a little grating, you can tell her vocals have been given digital aid....perhaps Beyonce or MJB on the hook would have given more soul to it...
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this is not as hot as DOA but i still like it.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 35 |
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I say she was str8 up clutch shes a banger hands down
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 52 |
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Fire.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
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Production is as good as they come. Hook is written nicely! but the way its sung ... I mean Rihanna's wailing .. uummm .. singing is a lil annoying but it got better the more I listen to it ... Jay dropped some intelligent verse and Ye is in his own lane ...
Gotta agree in terms of entertainment Kanye West’s verse is beating Jigga-man no matter how Smart they are ... BANGER!!! Kanye's mic presence > |
| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 608 |
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this song's lineup had me thinking this song was gonna be way better than it actually is. this song is just in rotation. its kinda boring. rihanna sounds nice but this song just seems like it's missing something. kanye was decent too.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
I exepected this to be a classic joint when i saw it. But nonetheless this track is a certified banger, cause Rihanna fits perfect for this and Hova did good and Kanye too.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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flatly a great track...interesting verse by kanye
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 76 |
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You all need to catch this on some real speakers. Hear Kanye's drums pound. That adds at least a star alone.
Rihanna's hook was good but not memorable. Jay and Ye demonstrate their different flows on here, and I won't lie, I like Ye's. Production is fire. Loving it after 10 listens |
| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 33 |
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NC You hit the nail on the head, production on this is dope with the right speakers!
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 184 |
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I: I like Kanye's part the most...
II: The singing is a lil bit annoying... |
| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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according to drake this was originally a rihanna track, i hate to say this but both her and kanye outshine big jigga
despite that i'm already over 20 plays |
| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 906 |
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Not impressed with this track. Jay Z comes pretty weak on it, and Rihanna sounds like an American Idol reject. This is not the type of hook where she can shine. The only impressive part is the beat, No ID is back!!
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 29 |
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Really not a fan of this... the beat works, but no one really gives their all on this. Kanye's the best of the three, but this song gets boring way too fast...
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 29 |
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Listening to this again... I have to just say, Jay-Z absolutely sucked on this. I never was a fan of him and I don't think I will be anytime soon.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2281 |
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This is a good song, and let me say this, No. ID and Kanye have great chemistry. They are giving Jay some heat to work with. Rihanna's hook is fire! Jay is not rhyming like himself, I do see that like most of you do. I don't think he is inspired to rhyme these days. I feel he's doing this to preserve his legacy and stay on top of these new MCs rather than to say something he is passionate about. That is the difference between the old Jay and this Jay. His passion is not bleeding through the music anymore. Mr. Carter are you doing this for the right reasons?
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this track is nice all around, @ MH how are you going to rate it 4 stars and say it deserves 5 then think you can question other listeners for there rating????
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 3217 |
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Seeing the features I expected better. The beat is good and so is the music, but after a while it gets boring. The hook has a good melody but Rihanna sounds kinda boring. The overall result is decent for sure, but I heard better
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I really like this song. I think you all just need to give it more listens.
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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kanye went in
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| Posted on Jul 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 5 |
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Keep the hits coming J
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
when i first heard this i was pretty disappointed, i was waiting for jay to drop his next rack since doa and i was expecting some monster shit, rhinna is kinda annoying in it as mentioned before..i thought kanye outshined jay but after my tenth listen i changed my mind this song is ill, you just got to get use to it like many of jay's songs, that being said i still think it could be better, but its good, who knows if it will even be on the album knowing jay
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Jay's my man... BUT honestly, the song was average at best. And had he not headlined the track, I think people would be rating it a lot lower. We have to do our part to "Keep it Real" Music is good or it Ain't!!
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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didn't like this song at all...not good.
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1309 |
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The production... damn! Kanye...!
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I liked this song a lot. All 3 verses were excellent and the chorus was very good.
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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its a great track just expect a lil more from Jay on this thats it
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 66 |
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Jay and Rihanna....how u gonna go wrong with that? plus a Kanye cameo, not bad...rotation worthy, but it's a step back from Umbrella for this duo
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 99 |
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Love the song, should definitely be a chart topper.
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| Posted on Jul 28, 2009 |
Showing 50 of 147 Ratings. See All Ratings
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