"Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Single by Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One (and Rakim on the remix) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Released | February 20, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Format | Digital download, vinyl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded | 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre | Hip hop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Length | 4:07 4:42 (DJ Premier Remix) |
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Label | Nike | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Writer(s) |
Biddu, Carl Douglas, William Griffin, Nasir Jones, Lawrence Parker, Kanye West |
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Producer(s) | Rick Rubin, DJ Premier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Biddu, Carl Douglas, William Griffin, Nasir Jones,
"Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)" is Grammy nominated collaboration song between Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One and that is co-produced by Rick Rubin and DJ Premier. The song was released as a single on February 20, 2007 by Nike Records. It was performed live at the Nike Air Force Ones 25th anniversary party shown on MTV2.
Its remix, "Better Than I've Ever Been DJ Premier Remix", is produced by DJ Premier, and it features Rakim along with the aforementioned rappers. It features DJ Premier's signature scratches from prior songs such as Nas' "One Love" and "It Ain't Hard to Tell". The song was nominated for Best Rap Collaboration at the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008.
Proceeds from the song's sales go towards youth leadership programs through the Force4Change Fund.
Side A: “Better Than I’ve Ever Been” (prod. Rick Rubin) featuring Kanye West, Nas, and KRS-One – full song – instrumental – a cappella
Side B: “Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been DJ Premier Remix)” featuring Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One, and Rakim – full song – instrumental – a cappella
Music Video for Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been) can be found in citation.
The original beat by Rick Rubin samples the song "Give Me the Night", performed by George Benson, off his Give Me the Night album.