: The song samples the beat and interpolates the chorus from Tupac’s 1996 track "Me and My Girlfriend" .

The track was produced by Kanye West and recorded in August 2002 at Baseline Studios in New York. It is famously built on several high-profile samples:

Released on October 10, 2002, is the lead single from Jay-Z’s seventh studio album, The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse . It holds a unique place in music history as the first official collaboration between Jay-Z and Beyoncé, marking the start of both their professional partnership and their romantic relationship. Background and Production

: The production blends programmed drums and heavy bass with a distinctive flamenco guitar melody. Narrative and Meaning