Executive Producers: Shawn Carter, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke
A&R Director: Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua
A&R: Lenny S. and Gee Roberson
A&R Coordinator: Darcell Lawrence
A&R Administration: Rob Mitchell
Recording Administration: Tony Vanias
Mastered at Masterdisk, NYC by Tony Dawsey
Marketing: Deidre Graham and Chaka Pilgrim
Management: Roc-A-Fella Management
Art Direction: Jason Noto
Photography: Jonathan Mannion
Architectural Imagery: Della Valle + Berheimer Design
Legal Counsel: Michael Guido and Jennifer Justice
Business Affairs: Jonathan Lieberman and Susan Sneider
1. The Ruler's Back
(S. Carter, R. Harrel, P. Hurtt, B. Sigler) (BMI/SESAC)
Produced by Bink for One Shot Deal Muzak/J II J Enterprises/Loreal, Inc
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc
Mixed at Sound on Sound Studios, NYC by Doug Wilson for Loreal, Inc
Bass by Eric "E Bass" Johnson
Strings by Keyamo
2. Takeover
(S. Carter, K. West, L. Parker, E. Burdon, A. Lomax, B. Chandler, R. Lemay, J. Morrison, J. Densmore, R. Krieger, R. Manzarek) (BMI/ASCAP)
Produced by Kanye West for Roc The World/Kanman Productions
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc. and Kamel Adbo for Beast From The Middle East
Mixed at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc
Additional vocals by Josey Scott of Saliva
"Takeover" contains a sample of "Sound of Da Police (L. Parker, E. Burdon, A. Lomax, B. Chandler, R. Lemay) Zomba Enterprises Inc. o/b/o itself & BDP Music (ASCAP)/Unichappell Music Inc. o/b/o itself/Slamina Music, Inc./Carbert Music, Inc./Ludlow Music Inc. (BMI)/Universal PolyGram International Publishing Inc. o/b/o London Music UK and Soulclap Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Performed by KRS-One, used courtesy of Zomba Recording Group
"Takeover" features samples from The Doors recording "Five To One." Produced under license from Elektra Entertainment Group. By arrangement with Warner Special Products
3. Izzo (H.O.V.A)
(S. Carter, K. West, B. Gordy, A. Mizell, F. Perren, D. Richards) (BMI/ASCAP)
Produced by Kanye West for Roc The World/Kanman Productions.
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc. and Kamel Adbo for Beast From The Middle East
Mixed at Right Track Studios, NYC by Supa Engineer DURO for No Question Entertainment/Loreal, Inc
"Izzo" contains elements from "I Want You Back" (B. Gordy, A. Mizell, F. Perren, D. Richards) Jobete Music Co., Inc. (ASCAP) Performed by The Jackson 5. Used courtesy of Motown Record Company LP, under license from Universal Music Enterprises, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc
4. Girls, Girls, Girls
(S. Carter, J. Smith, T. Brock, R. Reif) (BMI/ASCAP)
Produced by Just Blaze for F.O.B. Entertainment/N.Q.C. Entertainment/Roc The World
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc. and Kamel Adbo for Beast From The Middle East
Mixed at Baseline Studios, NYC by Jason Goldstein
Additional vocals by Q-Tip, Slick Rick and Biz Markie
"Girls, Girls, Girls" contains samples from "I Love You More and More Every Time" (T. Brock, R. Relf) Unichappell Music, Inc. (BMI)/Sa-Vette Music (BMI)/Super Songs Unlimited (BMI. All rights reserved. Performed by Tom Brock. Used courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc
5. Jigga That n*gga
(S. Carter, J.C. Oliver, S. Barnes) (BMI/ASCAP)
Produced by Poke & Tone for Track Masters Entertainment Inc
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc
Assisted by Shane "Bermi" Woodley.
Mixed at Baseline Studios, NYC by Jason Goldstein. Additional vocals by Stephanie Miller and Michelle Mills
6. U Don't Know
(S. Carter, J. Smith, B. Byrd) (BMI/ASCAP)
Produced by Just Blaze for F.O.B. Entertainment/N.Q.C. Management/Roc The World
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc
Assisted by Shane "Bermi" Woodley
Mixed at Baseline Studios, NYC by Jason Goldstein
"U Don't Know" contains a sample from "I'm Not To Blame" (Bobby Byrd) Unichappell Music, Inc. o/b/o Dynatone Publishing Co. (BMI). All right reserved. Performed by Bobby Byrd. Used courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. All rights reserved
7. Hola Hovito
(S. Carter, T. Mosley) (BMI)
Produced by Timbaland for Timbaland Productions, Inc
Recorded at Manhattan Center, NYC by Jimmy Douglas
Mixed at Capitol Studios, LA by Jimmy Douglas
8. Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)
(S. Carter, K. West, M. Price, D. Walsh) (BMI/ASCAP)
Produced by Kanye West for Roc The World/Kanman Productions
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc. and Kamel Adbo for Beast From The Middle East
Mixed at Right Track Studios, NYC by Supa Engineer DURO for No Question Entertainment/Loreal, Inc. "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" contains samples from "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City" (M. Price, D. Walsh) Universal Music Publishing. Performed by Bobby "Blue" Bland. Used courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc
9. Never Change
(S. Carter, K. West, B. Miller) (BMI/ASCAP)
Produced by Kanye West for Roc The World/Kanman Productions
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc. and Kamel Adbo for Beast From The Middle East
Mixed at Right Track Studios, NYC by Jason Goldstein
"Never Change" contains samples from "Common Man" (B. Miller) Stone Diamond Music (BMI). Performed by David Ruffin. Used courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc
10. Song Cry
(S. Carter, J. Smith, D. Gibbs, R. Johnson) (BMI/ASCAP)
Produced by Just Blaze for F.O.B. Entertainment/N.Q.C. Management/Roc The World
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc
Assisted by Shane "Bermi" Woodley
Mixed at Baseline Studios, NYC by Jason Goldstein
"Song Cry" contains samples from "Sounds Like A Love Song" (D. Gibbs, R. Johnson) Extra Slick Music (ASCAP)/Chitty Chitty Music (ASCAP) both administered by Heavy Harmony Music. All rights reserved. Performed by Bobby Glenn. Used courtesy of Koala Records, Inc
11. All I Need
(S. Carter, R. Harrell) (BMI/SESAC)
Produced by Bink for One Shot Deal Muzak/J II J Enterprises/Loreal, Inc
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc
Mixed at Sound on Sound Studios, NYC by Doug Wilson for Loreal, Inc
12. Renegade featuring Eminem
(S. Carter, M. Mathers) (BMI)
Produced by Eminem for Angry Blond Productions, Inc
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc
Mixed at Studio A Recording by Richard Huredia
Eminem appears courtesy of Aftermath Entertainment
13. Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)
(S. Carter, R. Harrel, A. Green) (BMI/SESAC)
Produced by Bink for One Shot Deal Muzak/J II J Enterprises/Loreal, Inc
Recorded at Baseline Studios, NYC by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton for Loreal, Inc
Mixed at Sound on Sound Studios, NYC by Doug Wilson for Loreal, Inc
Organs by Bo
Live Organs by Victor Flowers
Background vocals by Schevise Harrell and Luren Leek
All programming by Bink
"Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)" contains a sample from "Free At Last" (A. Green) Universal Music. Publishing o/b/o Irving Music Inc. (BMI) Irving Music Inc./Al Green Music Inc. (BMI)/Warner-Chappell Music Ltd. Performed by Al Green. Used courtesy of EMI Special Markets and Demon Music Group
14. Lyrical Exercise
Written by: Shawn Carter, Justin Smith, Tyrone Thomas, August Moon, Gerald Brown, Stanley Clarke, Michael Garson & Raymond Gomez
15. Girls, Girls, Girls (Part 2)
Written by: Shawn Carter, Justin Smith, R. Poindexter & J Members
Additional vocals by Q-Tip courtesy of Arista Records, Inc
Additional vocals by Slick Rick courtesy of Def Jam Recordings
Additional vocals by Biz Markie courtesy of Groove Attack Superrapping/Bizmont
Thank You's: I wanna thank everyone responsible for The Blueprint (my life) my Momma Love Me (Gloria Carter) Pop I miss you (A.J.) Eric fought me (my big bro Ez) Mickey dressed me/my big mouth sister Michelle/Annie fed me (my other big mouth sister Andrea) Grandma fed me banana pudding (my heart Hattie White) my nephews (Lavelle, Ramel, Colleek, Jarrel and Eric Jr. My niece Airis and my niece Tianna (Love you 'til death, wouldn't let no trouble come your way!!!) All my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Bee High and Fam (Johnny, BJ, Shakora, Danny, Antawn, Brandon) "Ty rolled with a n***a" (Ty-Ty and the whole Smith family), Damon Dash (you seen it Huh?) my Godson Boogie, Ava, Biggs, (What's up Hoffa?) Biggs, Lil Remo. Hip Hop (since 1972). Bleek (one Hit Away my n***a). Beans (I been there fam trust me)...Marcy and The Whole Entire Brooklyn, I Got Ya'll!!!!
My folks: The O.G. Juan and The Whole Baseline Crew (Moya, Midnight, Shane, Kamel, Tyse and Paul) Rell Mack, Bob-A Lob, S.A., Street, Claudia B, The Whole 142! Dolfo, Roger, Tom Dewey, Tone, Dat, Jaz (You made me believe this s**t was real) Omoyele (Fam Fam), Murder, Leeky, Geda K. Saddiq, Roller, The Whole Mafia, The Whole Get Low, Bill, Snow, Ermani, Tone (Lil Man) Chuck, Ant, Deuce & Rasta, Curt Love, Emory, Big Ty, Kurt, Lody Christ. Hold Ya Head We Got Your Name on the Bricks. Everybody on the street. I Know Too Many Folks. Sorry!!!!!!!!!!!
Rocafella Staff: Carline, Chaka, John, Lenny S., Gee, Dara, Bobby, Pharel, Burt, Emmanuelle, Garvin, John B., Daryl, Robin, Shari, Ramses
Thank you Guido, JJ, Big John, Jimmy Iovine, Steve Stoute, Paul Rosenberg, Ian Allen and Eric Weissman
Lyor, Kevin, Julie, Randy, Kyser, Deidre, Darcel, Mignon and the Def Jam Staff
Rocafella Artists: DJ Clue and Rell, Freeway, Oschino & Sparks, Chris & Neef, Tamika & Billie, Allen Anthony...we got this!
Producers: Kanye West, Just Blaze, Trackmaster, Timbaland, Bink, Eminem
Street Team: Danielle, Latrice, Will, Travis, Derrick, Raymond (Chico), "Big Daddy" (Pause), Antoine, Donald, Mike Eric, Damon, Anchor, Maze, Jake, Say, Godfather, Sean, Bill Blass, Lenny, DJ Lump, C-note, T
To This Whole Fake Bulls**t Industry, Thanx 4 being so Fake and Keeping me on my Toes!!! I Love Ya'll Holla Back!