HOUSTON’S OWN SIX DEGREES OF JAY-Z

One needn’t look far for connections between hip-hop heavyweight Jay-Z and Houston, seeing as he married one of the biggest pop stars in the world and certainly the biggest from Third Ward. But in the 20-plus years he’s been making music, he’s repeatedly

1 On “Regrets,” the last song on his very first album, Jay sampled “It’s So Easy Loving You” by guitarist Earl Klugh and ’60s and ’70s jazz great and Houston native flutist Hubert Laws, right.

2 That debut, “Reasonable Doubt,” also included a trio of songs produced by Houston native DJ Premier, right, who recorded tunes that appeared on the first four Jay-Z records.

3 “No Hook,” from “American Gangster,” samples “Love Serenade” by Barry White, below, the velvet-voiced singer from Galveston.

4 Houston rap legend Scarface, right, enlisted Jay and Beanie Sigel for “Guess Who’s Back” on his 2002 album “The Fix.” Later that year, he returned the favor and guested on Jay’s “Some How Some Way.”

You didn’t think we’d forget “Big Pimpin’,” right? Port Arthur duo UGK, above, guested on the song, which made Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. UGK’s Pimp C wasn’t a big fan of the song.

A producer and musician of uncommon talent, Mike Dean got his start 25 years ago producing locals like Willie D, UGK and Scarface. He’s become a go-to guy not just for Houston rappers like Z-Ro and Devin the Dude, but also Kanye West. So Dean is all over the Jay-Z/Kanye West collaboration “Watch the Throne” — as producer, keyboardist, engineer, writer, bassist and all-around player. He has multiple production credits on Jay’s “Magna Carta Holy Grail,” too.

7 Houstonian John Hill — a super producer who has worked with Shakira, Imagine Dragons and scores of other hit makers — co-wrote “Brooklyn Go Hard” for the Notorious B.I.G. biopic “Notorious.”

8 Houston rapper and producer Travis Scott, above, makes a vocal appearance on “Crown” on “Magna Carta Holy Grail,” and he also helped produce the track with Mike Dean.

9 Jay’s “4:44” song includes vocals by Houston-based gospel singer and minister Kim Burrell, below. The album “4:44” features the great jazz drummer and High School for the Performing and Visual Arts alum Chris “Daddy” Dave.