Little do Hip-Hop fans know; Jay-Z had very humble beginnings. The emcee, who has amassed a net worth of over $450 million, barely had two nickels to rub together as an adolescent in Brooklyn’s notorious Marcy Projects.

The rapper, who began his rapping career in the 1980s, once battled and beat LL Cool J in several competitions. But the “N***as in Paris” emcee who now records tracks with partner-in-crime Kanye West was once a protégé to rapper Jaz-O.

Before Jigga was “Big Pimpin,’” he was rapping alongside rapper Jaz-O in several songs, including “The Originators” and “Hawaiian Sophie.”

Donning a gold chain, 90s styled high top and a Hawaiian t-shirt, Jay-Z appeared comical alongside Jaz-O in the “Hawaiian Sophie” music video. The video appeared to have a “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme to it.

Many may remember rapper Nas using Jay-Z’s “Hawaiian Sophie” days to his advantage in popular diss track “Ether.”

“With Hawaiian Sophie fame, kept my name in his music,” Nas rapped. “No jail bars Jigga, no pie, no case, Just Hawaiian shirt, hanging with little Chase.”

But Jay-Z’s days wearing Hawaiian shirts led to him being one of the highest grossing entertainers in the world. As saying goes: “You gotta start somewhere, right?”

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Check out Jaz-O and Jay-Z’s “Hawaiian Sophie” video below