In My Lifetime (song)

"In My Lifetime"
Single by Jay-Z
B-side	"I Can't Get Wid Dat"
Released	1994 (original) July 26, 1995 (reissue)
Recorded	1994–95
Genre	East Coast hip hop hardcore hip hop
Length	4:28
Label	Roc-A-Fella Payday FFRR (reissue)
Songwriter(s)	Shawn Carter
Producer(s)	Ski
Jay-Z singles chronology
"Show & Prove" (1994) "In My Lifetime" (1994) "Dead Presidents" (1996)

"In My Lifetime" is the debut single by American rapper Jay-Z. It is produced by Ski and contains samples from "Oh Baby" by Aretha Franklin and two Soul II Soul songs: "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" and "Get a Life". The original white label version of the single was sold by Jay-Z and his friend Damon Dash out of Dash's car in 1995.^[1]

^[2] It was originally released as an indie label release by Roc-A-Fella Records in 1994,^[1] then later re-released on Payday Records in 1995. However, Jay-Z had royalty conflicts with the label and soon decided to grow Roc-A-Fella Records. The single features a remix by Big Jaz and the B-side, "Can't Get Wid That" produced by Clark Kent. The song is not featured on either of Jay-Z's first two albums, but the Big Jaz remix is featured on the Streets Is Watching soundtrack.