Kanye West samples “Ain’t no Love in the Heart of the City” by Bobby “Blue” Bland.

According to Complex, Jay wanted this to be the first single off The Blueprint.

Kanye stated in “Last Call” that he originally wanted to give the beat to DMX, and he later told Vibe that the Jay-Z version originally featured R. Kelly singing on it.

Each verse starts in a similar way: Jay recalling the demise of successful entertainers. He reflects on how it seems everyone is waiting for Jay’s downfall, hence he ain’t feelin' the love.