Check out this exclusive interview with Damon Dash, from the VH1’s first edition of Album-Versaries.

Welcome to VH1’s new monthly series, Album-Versaries, in which we share fresh stories with you about the creation and lasting impact of some of the most important and influential albums in music history. Our first installment will focus on Jay-Z’s 1996 LP Reasonable Doubt, which just celebrated its 15th anniversary. This is Part I of a two-part series; Part II will be published tomorrow, July 8th.

Head to the VH1 Blog for more inside dish from Dash, producers Ski and Clark Kent, as well as some never-before-seen photos.