EXCLUSIVE: Why Jay-Z Didn’t Go Through with Foxy Brown & Shyne for Commission Album

BK Style. . .

Back in 2003, Jay-Z retired from rap for first time, with the release of his Black Album. At the time, he was planning for an eventual split from Dame Dash, and wanted to reboot Roc-a-Fella Records with Foxy Brown, Kanye West and Shyne Po. Following his 2001 conviction, Shyne was seriously being considered for an appeal until some other higher powers stepped in to gag order the situation.

No matter what he was convicted on, we’ve always heard that it wasn’t him that fired shots in the club (he’s also never spoke on shooting to anyone). Jigga believed that Shyne was going to get released, along with Foxy Brown, who had been writing content for the new commission album. Right before he announced the Island Def Jam Records buyout with Dame Dash and Biggs Hoffa, Jay had an album’s worth of content ready for The Commission 2004 album.

As a solo artist, he was going to stay retired; but left the door open for collaborative and featured-guest work. However, months before he started the album with Foxy, Shyne started a new allegiance with Murder Inc. Due to their affiliation with Nas and Irv Gotti’s questionable behind-the-scene moves, Jay-Z separated himself from anything and anyone linked to that situation.

The resentment was given on Murder Inc’s side as well, when Jay went on tour with 50 and G-Unit in 2003. So, with Shyne possibly getting an appeal, Jigga was really excited for the possible collab effort until Po started claiming Murder Inc. After that happened, Jay took a lot of verses and Foxy’s verses recorded for the project and made Unfinished Business: The Best of Both Worlds, Part II with R. Kelly.

There wasn’t any resentment from Shyne towards Jay, who knew the situation. After Po was released five years later from prison, Jay was one of the first people that reached out to him. Lupe Fiasco, who’s first album was executive produced by Jay, is probably the only outside artist that would’ve made an appearance on the 2004/05 project.

We can’t help but wonder how insane The Commission album with Shyne and Foxy Brown would’ve been.

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