Jay-Z initially sent Drake two a cappella verses for a different beat produced by Noah "40" Shebib .
The instrumental includes a re-recorded vocal interpolation of Wu-Tang Clan’s "C.R.E.A.M." (Cash Rules Everything Around Me), which is reportedly voiced by Timbaland . Origins and History
Drake felt the original beat wasn't the right fit and asked Boi-1da to create a new one around Jay-Z’s vocals.