| "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 |
"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.
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]
- ^ "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.