After hearing the final Boi-1da version, Jay-Z actually wanted the song for his own album, Magna Carta Holy Grail , but eventually gave it back to Drake to close out Nothing Was the Same .
Experience the production and historical context of the 'Pound Cake' instrumental through these curated videos: Drake ft. Jay Z - Pound Cake Instrumental [OFFICIAL AUDIO]
It features a crisp, steady boom-bap rhythm that provides a grounded contrast to the airy vocal samples. After hearing the final Boi-1da version, Jay-Z actually
The haunting vocal loop is a direct sample of Ellie Goulding's "Don’t Say a Word" . The producers pitched it down and layered it with reverb to create a dreamlike backdrop. The producers pitched it down and layered it
The beat is famous for its ethereal, "underwater" texture—a signature of the OVO sound during that era.
Jay-Z initially sent Drake two a cappella verses for a different beat produced by Noah "40" Shebib .
Drake felt the original beat wasn't the right fit and asked Boi-1da to create a new one around Jay-Z’s vocals.