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Watch the Throne

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Untitled

Watch the Throne is the debut collaborative studio album by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, released on August 8, 2011, by Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation, and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place at various recording locations and began in November 2010. The first single, titled "H•A•M", was released in January 2011 with the following single, "Otis", released on July 20, 2011. Jay-Z and West will promote the album with a concert tour during October to December 2011.

Background and recording

Originally intended as a five-track EP by Jay-Z and West, Watch the Throne was revealed by West to be a full-length album in an October 2010 interview for MTV.[1] He said in the interview that they planned to record in the South of France.[1] Production for the album began in November in Bath, England and continued during available times in Jay-Z's and West's respective schedules at recording locations in Australia, Paris, Abu Dhabi,[2] New York City, and Los Angeles.[3] In an interview for Billboard, Jay-Z said that they often recorded in hotel rooms and that the album went through three iterations, as he and West had scaled back from their original musical direction for the album.[4] He also noted difficulties in the recording process, including arguments with West regarding their direction.[4] The album's earlier sessions produced little material that made the final cut.[2]

In January 2011, they regrouped and rented a block of rooms at the Mercer Hotel in New York City and invited a select group of producers and recording artists.[2] Chauncey "Hit-Boy" Hollis, who produced the track "Niggas in Paris," said of recording at the hotel, "There was music going on in every room. I had a room where I was cranking out beats, and then I’d go into the main room with Jay and [Kanye] and play beats for them. Kanye is really hands-on. I would come in with a beat and he’d be like, ‘Take this out, slow it down.’ It would make it sound 100 times better. Jay would then mumble different flows to the beat."[2] Parts of the album were also recorded in New York City's Tribeca Grand Hotel.[5] In an interview for Rolling Stone, Jay-Z discussed their insistence on recording in person and attributed it to the delay in releasing the album, stating "If we were gonna do it, we were gonna do it together. No mailing it in."[3] The album features guest appearances by recording artists Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, and Mr Hudson.[6] Producer and recording artist The-Dream sings a verse in "No Church in the Wild," using AutoTune.[7] Additional vocalists Elly Jackson and Justin Vernon provide the hook on "That's My Bitch."[7] Swizz Beatz, who produced "Welcome to the Jungle," also provided background vocals to the track, and Kid Cudi contributed additional vocals to "Illest Motherfucker Alive," a bonus track on the album's deluxe edition.[7]

Release and promotion

The album was released by Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation, and Def Jam Recordings,[8] Jay-Z's and West's respective record labels.[9] It was released digitally on August 8 exclusively through the iTunes Store, while its physical release is scheduled for August 12.[10] The album's deluxe CD edition will be sold exclusively by Best Buy through August 23, when it will be available at other retailers.[10] The sales strategy for the album received criticism from other music retailers, who accused the record labels of giving preferential treatment to iTunes and Best Buy.[10] On July 4, the album was made available to pre-order on Life + Times, Jay-Z's lifestyle webzine, which redirected to Island Def Jam's website page that featured the album's deluxe version available for $16.99, standard CD for $13.99, a deluxe digital version for $14.99, and standard digital album for $11.99.[4] On July 22, its pre-order was made available on the iTunes Store.[11] Jay-Z and West will promote Watch the Throne with a 24-date, North American concert tour produced by Live Nation,[12] beginning on October 29 and concluding on December 18.[13]

On July 7, Jay-Z hosted a private listening session at the Mercer Hotel in New York City, previewing the album's songs from his MacBook Pro for a select group of reporters and music journalists.[3][14] It was also exclusive to two teenage fans who had won access to the session for being the first two people to pre-order the album through Jay-Z's Life + Times website.[4] The album's cover and artwork, both designed by Italian designer Riccardo Tisci,[5] were also premiered at the session.[15] Benjamin Meadows-Ingrim of Billboard, who attended the session, said of the previewed material, "The songs were dramatic and boastful, with Jay-Z often taking the lead lyrically, and the collection showcased the differences between the two artists - Jay-Z, the technical marksman, and Kanye, the emotive chest beater."[4] On August 1, Jay-Z and West held a listening session for the album at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City's American Museum of Natural History.[16] The session premiered the album in its entirety and featured attendance from journalists, models, industry types, and recording artists such as Busta Rhymes, 88-Keys, and Beyoncé Knowles.[16]

Following West's announcement via his Twitter account,[17] "H•A•M" was officially released as a digital download on January 11.[18] It charted at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[19] On July 20, "Otis" was premiered on Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 radio show and subsequently leaked to the Internet.[20] It will be sent to rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio on August 9.[21][22] Its cover art was created by Riccardo Tisci.[23] "Otis" reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.[24] A music video for the song was filmed by director Spike Jonze in Los Angeles.[25] "Lift Off" will be sent to US urban radio on August 23.[26]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The A.V. Club(A−)[27]
Entertainment Weekly(B−)[28]
The Guardian[29]
The Independent[30]
Los Angeles Times[31]
The New York Times(favorable)[32]
Pitchfork Media(8.5/10)[33]
Rolling Stone[34]
Spin(6/10)[35]
USA Today[36]

Watch the Throne received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 76, based on 21 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews."[37] Steve Jones of USA Today praised the rappers' "chemistry," writing that it "allows each to carve out his own stylistic space, with Jay-Z coolly delivering his incisive lyrical darts, while the more emotional West thrives on adrenaline-fueled punchlines."[36] Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club commented that "exhilarating messiness and go-for-broke spontaneity infect Jay-Z and push him outside his comfort zone and into a realm of intense emotional reflection."[27] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian viewed that "more often [...] Watch the Throne continues My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy's mood of restless creativity," but added "If [it]'s musical direction seems like West's work, it's worth noting that Jay-Z has the better lyrics."[29] Claire Suddath of Time complimented the lyrics' social commentary and "opulence," calling it "a beautifully decadent album by two of hip-hop's finest artists — men with a lot of things to say and a lot of money to spend."[38]

Despite noting "a relative lack of structural variety within the songs," Los Angeles Times writer Randall Roberts found its production "captivating" and called the album "a cocksure, fiery, smart, if problematic, collaboration that showcases the pair's distinct lyrical skills."[31] Sputnikmusic's Tyler Fisher noted "a lack of focus," but called it "a mess of an album that sounds too good to hate."[39] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times commented that "as a whole it’s not totally legible; there are too many ideas," calling it "an album with several phenomenal moments, even if it doesn’t quite add up to a phenomenal album."[32] Julian Benbow of The Boston Globe stated, "They still sound like two solo rappers. But there’s an undeniable synergy that they embraced for this project."[40] Pitchfork Media's Tom Breihan commented that "Watch the Throne works best when Jay and Kanye are just talking about how great they are," adding that "Kanye is this album's obvious guiding force. Throughout, he displays levels of unequaled audacity."[33]

However, Chicago Tribune writer Greg Kot noted a "sometimes difficult partnership" and criticized Jay-Z's and West's "self-regard" in their lyrics, stating "they urge listeners to 'watch the throne,' and gaze in awe on their good fortune."[41] Rolling Stone writer Jody Rosen complimented West's production and Jay-Z's "emotional depth," but stated, "on a record this ambitious, this sonically bold, it's a shame two of music's greatest storytellers don't extend their gaze beyond their own luxe lives."[34] Rob Harvilla of Spin commented that "fame and wealth and pissed greatness [...] permeate[s] everything" and called the album "garish and glorious, exquisite and exasperating."[35] Andy Gill of The Independent found their rapping "pretty mediocre" and stated, "Too often here their complacent, back-slapping laxity leaves tracks floundering."[30] Entertainment Weekly's Kyle Anderson viewed that they lack chemistry together and commented that much of the album "sounds cluttered and disjointed."[28] BBC Music's Marcus J. Moore perceived "a conflicted tug-of-war between the two" and called the album "a very noble attempt at cohesion, but its inconsistency ultimately stalls the project, resulting in an uneven recording that buckles under the weight of its own pressure."[42]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."No Church in the Wild" (featuring Frank Ocean)Kanye West, Shawn Carter, Charles Njapa, Michael Dean, Christopher Breaux, Terius Nash, G. Wright, P. Manzanera, James Brown, Joseph Roach88-Keys, Kanye West, Mike Dean4:32
2."Lift Off" (featuring Beyoncé)West, Carter, Jeff Bhasker, M. Dean, Pharrell Williams, Peter Hernandez, Seal SamuelKanye West, Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean, Q-Tip (co.), Pharrell (co.), Don Jazzy (add.)4:26
3."Niggas in Paris"West, Carter, Chauncey Hollis, M. Dean, W.A. DonaldsonHit-Boy, Kanye West, Mike Dean, Anthony Kilhoffer (add.)3:39
4."Otis" (featuring Otis Redding)West, Carter, Harry Woods, Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, Kirk Robinson, Roy Hammond, Brown, RoachKanye West2:58
5."Gotta Have It"West, Carter, Williams, Brown, Roach, Tony Pinckney, Fred WesleyThe Neptunes, Kanye West (co.)2:20
6."New Day"West, Carter, Robert Diggs, M. Dean, Leslie Bricusse, Anthony NewleyKanye West, RZA, Mike Dean, Ken Lewis (add.)4:32
7."That’s My Bitch"West, Carter, Kamaal Fareed, Bhasker, Justin Vernon, Brown, Bobby Byrd, Ronald Lenhoff, Jeremiah LordanKanye West, Q-Tip, Jeff Bhasker (co.)3:22
8."Welcome to the Jungle"West, Carter, Kasseem Dean, M. DeanSwizz Beatz2:54
9."Who Gon Stop Me"West, Carter, Shama Joseph, M. Dean, Maurice Simmonds, Joshua KierkegaardShama "Sak Pase" Joseph, Kanye West, Mike Dean (add.)4:16
10."Murder to Excellence"West, Carter, K. Dean, Larry Griffin Jr., Scott Mescudi, Quincy Jones, Harvey Mason, Jr., Joel Rosenbaum, Caiphus Semenya, Bill Summers, Mihaela Modorcea, Gabriela Modorcea'Murder' produced by Swizz Beatz
'Excellence' produced by S1		5:00
11."Made in America" (featuring Frank Ocean)West, Carter, Joseph, M. Dean, BreauxShama "Sak Pase" Joseph, Mike Dean (add.)4:52
12."Why I Love You" (featuring Mr Hudson)West, Carter, M. Dean, Philippe Cerboneschi, Hubert Blanc-Francard, Tony Camillo, Mary SawyerMike Dean, Kanye West, Anthony Kilhoffer (co.)3:21
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Illest Motherfucker Alive"West, Carter, M. Dean, Joshua Luellen, MescudiSouthside, Kanye West, Mike Dean5:23
14."H•A•M"West, Carter, Lexus Lewis, M. DeanLex Luger, Kanye West (co.), Mike Dean (add.)4:35
15."Primetime"West, Carter, Ernest Wilson, Russell Simmons, Lawrence Smith, Maureen ReidNo I.D.3:19
16."The Joy" (featuring Curtis Mayfield)West, Carter, Curtis Mayfield, Peter Phillips, Mescudi, John Cameron, John ZacharyPete Rock, Kanye West, Mike Dean (add.), Jeff Bhasker (add.)5:17

 • (co.) Co-producer
 • (add.) Additional production

Sample credits
  • "No Church in the Wild" contains samples from "K Scope" as performed by Phil Manzanera, "Sunshine Help Me" as performed by Spooky Tooth and "Don't Tell a Lie About Me and I Won't Tell the Truth About You" as performed by James Brown.
  • "Niggas in Paris" contains samples from the Reverend W.A. Donaldson recording "Baptizing Scene" and dialogue between Will Ferrell and Jon Heder in the film Blades of Glory.
  • "Otis" contains samples from "Try a Little Tenderness" as performed by Otis Redding and "Don't Tell a Lie About Me and I Won't Tell the Truth About You" by James Brown.
  • "Gotta Have It" contains samples from "Don't Tell a Lie About Me and I Won't Tell the Truth About You", "People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul" and "My Thang" as performed by James Brown.
  • "New Day" contains samples from "Feeling Good" as performed by Nina Simone.
  • "That's My Bitch" contains samples from "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved" as performed by James Brown and "Apache" by Incredible Bongo Band.
  • "Who Gon Stop Me" contains samples from "I Can't Stop" as performed by Flux Pavilion.
  • "Murder to Excellence" contains samples from "La La La" as performed by Indiggo and "Celie Shaves Mr./Scarification" as performed by Quincy Jones.
  • "Why I Love You" contains samples from "I Love You So" as performed by Cassius.
  • "Primetime" contains samples from "Action" as performed by Orange Krush.
  • "The Joy" contains samples from "The Makings of You (Live)" as performed by Curtis Mayfield and "Different Strokes" as performed by Syl Johnson.

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
Dutch Albums Chart[43] 3

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States August 8, 2011[10] Digital download Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings
August 12, 2011[10] CD

References

  1. ^ a b Dombal, Ryan (October 25, 2010). "Kanye West and Jay-Z Planning Joint Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  2. ^ a b c d Golianopoulos, Thomas (August 7, 2011). "How Jay-Z and Kanye West finally made 'Watch the Throne'". New York Post. News Corporation. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  3. ^ a b c Vozick-Levinson, Simon (July 8, 2011). "Jay-Z Previews 'Watch the Throne' in New York". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 2011-07-17.
  4. ^ a b c d e Meadows-Ingram, Benjamin (July 8, 2011). "'Watch The Throne': Inside Jay-Z's Private Listening Session". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-07-21.
  5. ^ a b Blanco, Alvin (July 14, 2011). "Jay-Z, Kanye Get To Work In Watch The Throne Studio Pics". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-07-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  6. ^ "Kanye & Jay-Z Confirm 'Watch The Throne' Release Date". MTV UK. MTV Networks. July 19, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  7. ^ a b c Watch the Throne (Media notes). Universal Music Group. 2011. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Kanye West and JAY-Z Form New Group! They Are Now Called 'THE THRONE' and Confirm the Most Anticipated Album & Tour of the Year: WATCH THE THRONE" (Press release). Live Nation Entertainment. July 25, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  9. ^ Gyant (July 5, 2011). "Watch Out: Jay-Z and Kanye West Collabo Could Fall Short". BET. BET Interactive. Retrieved 2011-07-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  10. ^ a b c d e Christman, Ed (July 28, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Watch the Throne' Exclusives Have Retailers Up in Arms". Billboard.biz. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-07-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  11. ^ Scott (July 22, 2011). "Watch The Throne Available for Preorder on iTunes". KanyeToThe.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  12. ^ Markman, Rob (July 25, 2011). "Jay-Z, Kanye West Announce Watch The Throne Release Date, Tour". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-07-25. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  13. ^ "Kanye West and Jay-Z Confirm New North American Watch the Throne Tour Schedule with an Overwhelming Response to Presale Tickets" (Press release). PR Newswire. August 3, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
  14. ^ Horowitz, Steven (July 9, 2011). "Details Emerge On Jay-Z & Kanye West's "Watch the Throne"". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  15. ^ Vadala, Nick (July 16, 2011). "Jay Z Holds Watch the Throne Listening Party, Reveals Album Cover and Other Details". mxdwn. Velum Media. Retrieved 2011-07-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  16. ^ a b Persse, Kim (August 1, 2011). "Jay-Z And Kanye West Unleash 'Watch The Throne' At The Museum Of Natural History". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 2011-08-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  17. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (January 7, 2011). "Kanye Reveals First Jay-Z Watch the Throne Single". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2011-07-21.
  18. ^ "HAM: Kanye West: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
  19. ^ Trust, Gary (January 19, 2011). "Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Debuts Atop Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  20. ^ Markman, Rob (July 20, 2011). "Jay-Z And Kanye West Drop 'Otis'". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-07-21. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  21. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-07-25. {{cite web}}: Text "R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates" ignored (help)
  22. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Release Dates". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  23. ^ Kim, Soo-Young (July 20, 2011). "Watch The Throne's "Otis" Cover Art Also Creative Directed By Riccardo Tisci". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved 2011-07-21.
  24. ^ Trust, Gary (August 3, 2011). "Britney Spears Bounds Into Hot 100's Top 10, LMFAO Still No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  25. ^ Young, Alex (August 1, 2011). "Spike Jonze to direct Kanye & Jay-Z's "Otis" video". Consequence of Sound. Complex Media Network. Retrieved 2011-08-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  26. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2011-08-10. {{cite web}}: Text "R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates" ignored (help)
  27. ^ a b Rabin, Nathan (August 9, 2011). "Kanye West and Jay-Z: Watch The Throne". The A.V. Club. Onion Inc. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  28. ^ a b Anderson, Kyle (August 9, 2011). "Kanye West and Jay-Z's 'Watch the Throne': Read the EW review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  29. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (August 11, 2011). "Jay-Z & Kanye West: Watch the Throne - review". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  30. ^ a b Gill, Andy (August 12, 2011). "Album: Watch The Throne, Watch the Throne (Mercury) - Reviews, Music". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 2011-08-12.
  31. ^ a b Roberts, Randall (August 8, 2011). "Album review: Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Watch the Throne'". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  32. ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (August 9, 2011). "Merging Empires - Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Watch the Throne'". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  33. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (August 11, 2011). "Album Reviews: Jay-Z / Kanye West: Watch the Throne". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  34. ^ a b Rosen, Jody (August 11, 2011). "Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  35. ^ a b Harvilla, Rob (August 10, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West, 'Watch the Throne' (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Roc Nation)". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  36. ^ a b Jones, Steve (August 8, 2011). "Listen Up: Jay-Z and Kanye West raise the bar with 'Throne'". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  37. ^ "Watch the Throne Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2011-08-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  38. ^ Suddath, Claire (August 9, 2011). "Watch the Throne Review: A Gold-Plated Luxury Vehicle, with a Message". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  39. ^ Fisher, Tyler (August 10, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne (staff review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  40. ^ Benbow, Julian (August 9, 2011). "Kanye West and Jay-Z share the spotlight on 'Watch the Throne'". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  41. ^ Kot, Greg (August 8, 2011). "Watch the Throne review; Jay-Z and Kanye West album reviewed". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  42. ^ Moore, Marcus J. (August 9, 2011). "Review of Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch the Throne". BBC Music. BBC. Retrieved 2011-08-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  43. ^ "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. 13/08/2011. Retrieved 2011-08-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
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