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* [[Cyanide and Happiness]] featured a [http://www.explosm.net/comics/2725/ comic] that parodied the title and lyrics of the song. In said strip, two black people wearing berets and striped shirts are looking around with a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. After 3 panels of doing this, one says "You know, this shit really isn't all that cray".
* [[Cyanide and Happiness]] featured a [http://www.explosm.net/comics/2725/ comic] that parodied the title and lyrics of the song. In said strip, two black people wearing berets and striped shirts are looking around with a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. After 3 panels of doing this, one says "You know, this shit really isn't all that cray".


* There have been various claims about the meaning of the word "cray" used frequently in the song. Some claim the lyrics "that shit cray" actually refer to the [[Kray Brothers]] - gangster twins who wrecked havoc in 1960s London. However, this rumour was originated by an anonymous Twitter user and no other valid evidence has been presented of this interpretation and no explanation of the relevance of the Kray twins to the lyrical content of the song. Some have suggested the link is that the Krays were fugitives and the song lyric "Ball so hard motherfuckers wanna find me" refers to being a fugitive. However, this is incorrect on two fronts; the Krays were not fugitives and the line in the song is actually "Ball so hard motherfuckers wanna fine me". There are also claims that "cray" was derived from "cray cray" a saying attributed to South African disk jockeys and music bloggers Dillon Muck and Phil Green. Again there is no evidence of this link and no explanation for the relevance of two South African DJs to Jay-Z and Kanye West. Evidence exists, however, that the word "cray" is a short form of the word "crazy". First, the liner notes for the album denote the phrase as "that shit crazy". Furthermore, in live performances Jay-Z often says the phrase "that shit crazy" instead of "that shit cray" and the screen behind the artists often spells out the phrase "that shit crazy"
* There have been various claims about the meaning of the word "cray" used frequently in the song. Some claim the lyrics "that shit cray" actually refer to the [[Kray twins|Kray Brothers]] - gangster twins who wrecked havoc in 1960s London. However, this rumour was originated by an anonymous Twitter user and no other valid evidence has been presented of this interpretation and no explanation of the relevance of the Kray twins to the lyrical content of the song. Some have suggested the link is that the Krays were fugitives and the song lyric "Ball so hard motherfuckers wanna find me" refers to being a fugitive. However, this is incorrect on two fronts; the Krays were not fugitives and the line in the song is actually "Ball so hard motherfuckers wanna fine me". There are also claims that "cray" was derived from "cray cray" a saying attributed to South African disk jockeys and music bloggers Dillon Muck and Phil Green. Again there is no evidence of this link and no explanation for the relevance of two South African DJs to Jay-Z and Kanye West. Evidence exists, however, that the word "cray" is a short form of the word "crazy". First, the liner notes for the album denote the phrase as "that shit crazy". Furthermore, in live performances Jay-Z often says the phrase "that shit crazy" instead of "that shit cray" and the screen behind the artists often spells out the phrase "that shit crazy"


== Credits and personnel ==
== Credits and personnel ==

Revision as of 15:05, 12 August 2012

"Niggas in Paris"
Song
"Niggas In Paris" (2011)
A 22-second sample of "Niggas In Paris" by Jay-Z and Kanye West from Watch the Throne
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Niggas in Paris" (edited for radio as "In Paris" or simply "Paris", edited for album as "Ni**as in Paris") is a song by American rappers Kanye West and Jay-Z from their collaboration album Watch the Throne. It debuted at #75 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the week of the album's release.[1] The song was sent to Rhythmic and Urban radio on September 13, 2011.[2] The song has since peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Kanye West's 14th top-10 single and Jay-Z's 18th making Jay-Z the rapper with the most top-10 hits.[3] As of February 2012, it has sold two million digital units in the United States.

Background

In an interview, Kanye West revealed that the song was inspired by his travels in Paris,

I am where art meets commercial. The sweet spot between the hood and Hollywood. Having a conversation with Karl Lagerfeld and Jay-Z within the same hour. When we’re in Paris dressing all crazy at fashion shows, we listening to Jay-Z. Jeezy in Paris, that’s what it is.[4]

Artwork

The artwork for "Niggas in Paris" features the French flag with a black third substituted for the blue one and is exactly the same cover used for Kanye West and Jay-Z's song "Why I Love You" which was released to radios simultaneously with "Niggas in Paris" on September 13, 2011.[5][6]

Remixes and freestyles

The official remix features rapper T.I.. Remixes or freestyles on this beat created by other artists include a remix by Chris Brown and T-Pain, a freestyle by Game titled "Niggas in Compton", a freestyle by Meek Mill which appeared on his mixtape Dreamchasers, a remix by Busta Rhymes, a remix by Chevy Woods titled "Taylors in Paris", a freestyle by Trey Songz which a appeared on his mixtape #LemmeHolDatBeat2 titled "Trigga In Africa", a remix by E.S.G. titled "Niggas in Houston", and a remix by Felony titled "Niggas in Harris".

Pitbull released a remix of "Niggas In Paris" called "Latinos In Paris" with Vein, Jamie Drastik, and Sensato. He also released a video, but only Sensato. Busta Rhymes made a remix to the beat as well. Rapper Yasiin Bey made a freestyle to the song called "Niggas in Poorest" Other rappers that did freestyles include Young Jeezy, Freddie Gibbs, Emilio Rojas, Traphik, Meek Mill, and Romeo Miller.

American recording artist Katy Perry performed a clean version of the track on March 19, 2012 as part of a Live Lounge special for BBC Radio 1's Fearne Cotton. The track, which was performed alongside "The One That Got Away", "Firework", "Thinking of You" and "Part of Me", saw the artist rap to re-worded verses from Jay-Z and West.[7]

Music video

On December 13, 2011, after their last Los Angeles stop at Staples Center on their Watch the Throne Tour Jay-Z announced that the live performance would be used for the song's music video. The video was released on February 9, 2012 through VEVO and was directed by Kanye West[8] himself, who produced strobe light effects. The video takes place live and also there are shapes of flashing lights, signs from the songs, lions, panthers and a church (the Notre Dame in Paris). After West raps "Got my niggas in Paris, and they going gorillas," the crowd goes on their feet while West stops and shows the scene of Will Ferrell walking on the treadmill in the film Blades of Glory.

Critical reception

The song received critical acclaim. Rolling Stone commented on the song by saying "Jay and Ye come in hard over a slow, menacing beat and icy synthesizer notes, but regardless, this cut is mostly memorable for including an unexpected sample of dialogue from the Will Ferrell/Jon Heder ice-skating comedy Blades of Glory. 'No one knows what it means, but it's provocative, Gets the people going!' says Ferrell with deep conviction, essentially summing up the art of hip-hop lyrics."[9] Billboard commented on the song by saying "N**gas in Paris:" Kanye steals the show on the Hit-Boy produced club anthem. A sampling of dialogue from the 2007 film Blades of Glory is tucked in between."[10] The Guardian called the song a standout track on the album and also commented by saying "This percolating track could have been produced by Wiley, with sick sub-bass and a snare that sounds like static. Both rappers are in excellent form, with West repeating "That shit cray". Kanye begins in half-time and speeds up. Among the lines that jump out: "I'm suffering from realness" and "Don't let me get in my zone." A standout track."[11] Pitchfork complimented that the song possessed great moments by Kanye West and said the following "It also features this great Kanye moment, "Doctors say I'm the illest because I'm suffering from realness/ Got my niggas in Paris, and they going gorillas,"[12] Pitchfork later named "Niggas In Paris" the 12th best track of 2011 and Rolling Stone named it the second best of the year.[13] XXL named "Niggas In Paris" the best song of 2011 as well as the "hottest beat" of 2011.[14][15] Digital Spy placed this song on their 24th spot of the best songs of 2011.[16]

It was voted #98 in Australia's annual Triple J Hottest 100, 2011.

Live performances

The song has been performed on the Watch the Throne Tour. MTV News said with "the track's Will Ferrell intro ("We're gonna skate to one song and one song only") brought on the moment that everyone was waiting for."[17] USA Today commented "at one point, as Jay-Z and West performed Niggas in Paris' from their new hit CD, "Watch the Throne," West exhorted the audience to "Bounce! Bounce!" The resulting stomping had Philips Arena rocking and shaking in a way that it hasn't for the Hawks in a long time."[18] In early stops, the song was performed three times. Kanye West and Jay-Z began performing the song more than thrice at the Miami show at American Airlines Arena by performing the song five times. The song was played six times at the TD Garden in Boston on November 21, 2011 setting a record for the tour at the time. It was then broken when it was performed seven times at The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was again broken on December 1, 2011 at the United Center in Chicago, IL when the duo performed the song 8 times. On December 12, 2011 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, the song was played a total of 9 times, a record which would stand until the next night, when the duo performed the song 10 times. The crowd was also told that cameras had been brought to the concert for the record breaking December 13th performance to film the music video for the song. The song was also performed live as part of the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. During the Final Tour Stop in Vancouver the aforementioned record was met again with the duo performing the song ten times on the final night, Dec. 18 at Rogers Arena, despite several newspaper articles claiming that it was performed a total of eleven times.[19][20][21][22] On June 1, 2012 during their first date in Paris (at the 'Palais Omnisports de Bercy'), they actually broke the record, performing the song 11 times. They claimed themselves that the record was held by Los Angeles, when Jay-Z said : "The record is held by L.A. with ten times. [..]But this song isn't called "Niggas in Los Angeles". [...] We gotta break that record and bring it to 11", thus ending the rumors concerning the record being broken in Vancouver. The record has been finally broke in Paris (Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy) on the 1st of June 2012, performed 11 times. The last record (established in Paris as well) has been broke again on the 18th of June 2012 performed 12 times in Paris (Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy). The song was performed live at BBC Radio 1's Hackney Weekend on 23 June 2012 as part of the London 2012 Festival.

Chart performance

On August 27, 2011, "Niggas in Paris" made its debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 75 making it the second highest debut for any non-single on the album behind only "Who Gon Stop Me". On the US Billboard Hot Digital Songs the song debuted at number 58 even before it was released as a single from the album.[23] It has since peaked at #5 on the Billiboard Hot 100. As of February 2012, the song has sold two million copies in the United States. On March 18, 2012, the song peaked at #10 in the United Kingdom (for the week ending date March 24, 2012), and has so far spent 10 weeks in the top 40, selling 200,000 copies. [24]

Uses in media

  • Cyanide and Happiness featured a comic that parodied the title and lyrics of the song. In said strip, two black people wearing berets and striped shirts are looking around with a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. After 3 panels of doing this, one says "You know, this shit really isn't all that cray".
  • There have been various claims about the meaning of the word "cray" used frequently in the song. Some claim the lyrics "that shit cray" actually refer to the Kray Brothers - gangster twins who wrecked havoc in 1960s London. However, this rumour was originated by an anonymous Twitter user and no other valid evidence has been presented of this interpretation and no explanation of the relevance of the Kray twins to the lyrical content of the song. Some have suggested the link is that the Krays were fugitives and the song lyric "Ball so hard motherfuckers wanna find me" refers to being a fugitive. However, this is incorrect on two fronts; the Krays were not fugitives and the line in the song is actually "Ball so hard motherfuckers wanna fine me". There are also claims that "cray" was derived from "cray cray" a saying attributed to South African disk jockeys and music bloggers Dillon Muck and Phil Green. Again there is no evidence of this link and no explanation for the relevance of two South African DJs to Jay-Z and Kanye West. Evidence exists, however, that the word "cray" is a short form of the word "crazy". First, the liner notes for the album denote the phrase as "that shit crazy". Furthermore, in live performances Jay-Z often says the phrase "that shit crazy" instead of "that shit cray" and the screen behind the artists often spells out the phrase "that shit crazy"

Credits and personnel

The credits for "Niggas in Paris" are adapted from the liner notes of Watch the Throne.[26]

Recording
Personnel
Samples
  • Contains audio from the motion picture Blades of Glory, used courtesy of Paramount Pictures, and contains elements of "Baptizing Scene", performed and written by Reverend W.A. Donaldson.

Charts

Charts (2011–12) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 71
Australia Urban (ARIA)[28] 23
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[29] 17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[30] 29
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[31] 16
Denmark (Tracklisten)[32] 19
France (French Singles Chart)[33] 28
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS 82
Ireland (IRMA)[34] 29
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] 37
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] 28
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[37] 38
Scotland (OCC)[38] 14
South Korea Gaon Chart[39] 53
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[40] 44
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[41] 43
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[42] 3
UK Singles (OCC)[43] 10
UK Official Streaming Chart Top 100[44] 25
US Billboard Hot 100[45] 5
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[46] 1
US Rap Songs (Billboard)[47] 1
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[48] 17

Sales and certifications

Country Provider Certification
United States RIAA 2× Platinum[49]
Canada MC Platinum[50]

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United States September 13, 2011 Rhythmic[6] and Urban radio[51] Roc-A-Fella/IDJMG
November 8, 2011 Top 40/Mainstream radio[52] Roc-A-Fella/IDJMG

References

  1. ^ "Music Charts, Most Popular Music, Music by Genre & Top Music Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  2. ^ "R&R". Radio and Records. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  3. ^ "Jay-Z breaks a Billboard Record". AllHipHop. 09/12/2011. Retrieved 12/12/2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Kanye West – Niggas in Paris Lyrics". Rap Genius. 2010-10. Retrieved 2011-12-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Jay-Z & Kanye West Reveal Cover Art For Single "Why I Love You"". Hip Hop DX. 2011-09-09. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  6. ^ a b "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Rhythmic". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  7. ^ "Fearne Cotton – March 19, 2012 –Tracklisting". BBC. 2012-03-19.
  8. ^ Markman, Rob (July 6, 2011). "Big Sean, Kanye West, Hype Williams Team Up On 'Marvin & Chardonnay'". MTV Music. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 11, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  9. ^ "Kanye West and Jay-Z's 'Watch the Throne': A Track-by-Track Breakdown". Rolling Stone. 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  10. ^ "Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Watch the Throne': Track-by-Track Review". Billboard. 2011-08-08. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  11. ^ "Jay-Z and Kanye West: Watch the Throne – track-by-track review". The Guardian. 2011-08-08. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  12. ^ "Jay-Z / Kanye West: Watch the Throne". Pitchfork Media. 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
  13. ^ "Rolling Stone Best Singles of 2011 – Jay Z Kanye". Rolling Stone. 2011-12-07. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
  14. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2011". Xxlmag.Com. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  15. ^ "Top 10 Hottest Beats of 2011". Xxlmag.Com. 2011-12-14. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  16. ^ Digital Spy. "DS Music". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  17. ^ Markman, Rob (October 29, 2011). "Jay-Z, Kanye West's Throne Tour Has Thrilling Liftoff". MTV News. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
  18. ^ Copeland, Larry (October 29, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye's joint tour opens in Atlanta". USA Today. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
  19. ^ "Jay-Z x Kanye West – "Niggas in Paris" 10 Times in Vancouver Rogers Arena". YouTube. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  20. ^ Hudson, Alex. "Kanye West & Jay-Z – "Niggas in Paris" 11 times (live in Vancouver) • Click Hear •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  21. ^ "Jay-Z & Kanye Do 'Niggas In Paris' 11 Times In Vancouver (Video) | Prefix". Prefixmag.com. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  22. ^ Eddy, Colton (2011-12-19). "Kanye West & Jay-Z perform "N****s in Paris" eleven times in a row". CHARTattack. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  23. ^ "Music Charts, Most Popular Music, Music by Genre & Top Music Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  24. ^ Grein, Paul (2012-02-08). "Week Ending Feb. 5, 2012. Songs: Madonna & MJ | Chart Watch (NEW) – Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  25. ^ David Haglund (Sunday, April 22, 2012, at 3:59 PM ET). "French Presidential Candidate Uses "Ni**as in Paris" for Campaign Ad". Slate.com. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Watch the Throne (Media notes). The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group. 2011. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |albumlink= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |publisherid= ignored (help)
  27. ^ "Chartifacts – Week Commencing: 6th February 2012". Australian Recording Industry Association. February 6, 2012. Archived from the original on 2011-08-18. Retrieved 05 July 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  28. ^ "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 2012-03-06.
  29. ^ "Jay-Z / Kanye West – Niggas In Paris" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  30. ^ "Jay-Z / Kanye West – Niggas In Paris" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  31. ^ "Music Chart Analysis, Artist Spotlights, Music Insider, Chart Beat & News". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
  32. ^ "Jay-Z / Kanye West – Niggas In Paris". Tracklisten.
  33. ^ "Charts in France (SNEP)". SNEP. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  34. ^ "Chart Track: Week 13, 2012". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  35. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Jay-Z / Kanye West" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  36. ^ "Jay-Z / Kanye West – Niggas In Paris" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  37. ^ "Jay-Z / Kanye West – Niggas In Paris". Top 40 Singles.
  38. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  39. ^ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: June 26, 2011 to July 2, 2011)". Gaon Chart. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  40. ^ "Jay-Z / Kanye West – Niggas In Paris". Singles Top 100.
  41. ^ "Jay-Z / Kanye West – Niggas In Paris". Swiss Singles Chart.
  42. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  43. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  44. ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/official-streaming-chart/
  45. ^ "Music Chart Analysis, Artist Spotlights, Music Insider, Chart Beat & News". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  46. ^ "Music Charts, Most Popular Music, Music by Genre & Top Music Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  47. ^ "Music Charts, Most Popular Music, Music by Genre & Top Music Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  48. ^ "Chart Highlights: Michael Buble Jingles Onto Adult Contemporary". Billboard. 2011-11-14. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  49. ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Nielsen Business Media Inc. 2006-02-15.
  50. ^ "Canadian digital download certifications – Jay Z & Kanye West – Niggas in Paris". Music Canada.
  51. ^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Urban". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  52. ^ http://www.webcitation.org/62Q2P8QoB
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