Song Clearance Sheet
3 sources citedI Can
Hip-Hop2000s95BPM
F♯ minKey
More around 100 BPM → · More in F♯ minor →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Nas, Salaam Remi), no dispute found — a clean case that connects to two existing catalog entries at once: Beethoven’s “Für Elise” (public domain) and The Honey Drippers’ “Impeach the President” break.
Used by independents?
Unconfirmed — the page doesn't yet document enough sampler detail to tell.
Quick Facts
Released2002
AlbumGod's Son
GenreHip-Hop
LabelColumbia Records
ProducerSalaam Remi
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Nas & Salaam Remi (+ Beethoven, public domain, and the documented Honey Drippers writers)
WhoSampled → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — built on two existing catalog entries at once (“Für Elise” and “Impeach the President”); reached #12 Hot 100, Nas’s highest-charting lead single at the time.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed writers of record and no dispute found — the two underlying samples are already documented in this catalog.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
The public-domain Beethoven bagatelle looped as the main framework (already in this catalog)
The drum break also sampled here (already in this catalog)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Nas & Salaam Remi (+ the sampled writers)
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A double connection to two existing catalog entries
Samples Beethoven’s “Für Elise” as its main musical framework AND separately the drum break from The Honey Drippers’ “Impeach the President” — both already documented in this catalog.
WhoSampled · read it →
A delightful extra layer of meaning
“Für Elise” is itself a hallmark beginner piano piece — sampling one of the pillars of piano pedagogy adds real resonance to a song specifically encouraging youth education and aspiration.
WFMT · read it →
A mixed critical reception
Rolling Stone’s Christian Hoard dismissed it as “a silly stay-in-school ad attached to a Beethoven sample,” while other reviewers praised its sincerity; later used in a 2019 French insurance ad featuring Serena Williams. Lyrics encourage youth to stay drug-free and pursue dreams; no lyrics reproduced here.
Wikipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Built on “Für Elise” + “Impeach the President”
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
IC
Nas & Salaam Remi
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
Was this page helpful?
Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 4)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass