The LOX Claim Jay-Z Wanted to Be on "Money, Power, Respect," Refused to Clear "So Right" Verse

The LOX has revealed Jay-Z wanted to be featured on the title track of their 1998 debut, Money, Power & Respect.

During the group’s appearance on the Rap Stories With David Dennis Jr. podcast, Jadakiss told the story of how Jay-Z was supposed to be on the group's hit record. According to his recollection, Kiss said the rapper recorded a verse for “So Right” featuring Kelly Price but after hearing “Money, Power, & Respect,” Hov had a change of heart.

“We had a joint with Hov and Kelly Price. I think Hov wanted to be on ‘Money, Power, & Respect,’ so I don’t think he cleared his verse on ‘So Right’ so it didn’t make the album,” Jadakiss said. “I think he didn’t clear the song that he laid the verse on because he wanted to be on [Money, Power, & Respect], so we didn’t get him on the album."

He continued, “We did it already. It was already [done], and we wasn’t gonna take DMX or Lil’ Kim [off] or restructure the song. It was done already. I guess he liked it that more than the one he actually got on, so he didn’t clear [his verse on "So Right"], and we didn’t put it on the album.”

“Money, Power, & Respect” was the follow-up to the legendary trio’s debut single, “If You Think I’m Jiggy,” and became their most successful single to date.

"Money, Power & Respect" hit the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart and also peaked at No. 18 on the Hot 100. The album also received a major push from the single as it reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.