Tensions between the two rappers began after Nas failed to show up for a recording session for Jay's song "Bring it On" from his debut album Reasonable Doubt. Instead of using an original verse on the album, producer Ski Beatz samples Nas's vocals for the song "Dead Presidents II." There was allegedly some tension over the use of the sample. Jay offered to let Nas redo the chorus and appear in the video, but he declined. The two rappers then began trading subliminal disses, and the beef exploded a few years later with the songs "Ether" and "The Takeover".