Otis (song)
"Otis" | |
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Song |
"Otis" is a single by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West from their collaboration album Watch the Throne, and is the fourth song on the track list.[3][4] The song's existence, along with several other tracks from the album, was confirmed during a listening session hosted by Jay-Z on July 7.[5] It was also confirmed the song would heavily sample Otis Redding.[6] On July 19, the release of the song the following day was confirmed via Twitter. The next day, "Otis" was premiered by Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 radio show and afterward, it was released onto the Internet.[7][8]
The cover art was designed by Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci.[9] Following its release the song received significant coverage and was reviewed by several sources. The song received highly positive reviews from music critics and has received radio airplay.[10] On July 22, the song was released to the iTunes Store and on July 31, the song debuted at number 47 and went on to peak at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.[11][12]
The accompanying music video for "Otis" was released on August 11, 2011 and was shot by West's past collaborator Spike Jonze in Los Angeles. The video primarily shows West and Jay-Z modifying a Maybach luxury car and then driving around in it with no doors or windows, while four girls are smiling in the backseat. After its release, the video was met with positive reception.
Background and release
On July 7, 2011, "Otis" was previewed along with the other songs from Watch the Throne, by Jay-Z at a private listening session at the Mercer Hotel in New York City for a select group of reporters, music journalists, and contest winners.[5] After these listening sessions, it was confirmed that a song called "Otis", would appear on the album.[13] It was reported that the song would sample soul singer Otis Redding's version of "Try a Little Tenderness".[14][15] On July 20, "Otis" was premiered on Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 radio show and subsequently was released for download to the Internet as a way to promote the upcoming album,[8] though no other official singles for the album have been confirmed.[16] When the song was released, it quickly became a trending topic on Twitter and was heavily searched for.[16][17] On July 22, the song was released to the iTunes Store and was a free download for those who pre-ordered the album.[11][18] The song received moderate airplay.[19] It was sent by The Island Def Jam Music Group to rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio on August 9.[20][21]
Artwork
The cover art for "Otis" was designed by Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci, who had previously designed the artwork for the "H•A•M" single cover and the Watch the Throne album cover. It features the American flag, both artists names and the name of the song and the album.[9] The artwork was released onto the internet following the song's release and could be downloaded along with the song.[9]
Composition
"Otis" is 2:58 long and is a mid-tempo hip-hop song.[18] The song, which was produced by West,[2] is built upon a sample of the cover version "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding.[14][22] Jay-Z and West promptly rap over the sample in style reminiscent to past Kanye productions.[23] Pitchfork Media summarized the composition, writing "here's Jay-Z on the "Otis" intro: "It sounds so soulful! Don't you agree?" Well, yeah. If you're willing to plunk down enough money to sample "Try a Little Tenderness", that'll happen. But even if the sample works as a sort of audio money-flaunt, it's also a tough and hard chop from Kanye—Otis Redding's magnificent voice mostly limited to a couple of hellfire grunts, the song itself held to a sharp guitar stab."[24] The Vancouver Sun commented "there's no hook or chorus, no hip-hop- or hipster-cred guest stars. There's just Kanye and Jay-Z trading rhymes in mini-verses."[25] The song ends with sampled screaming.[26]
Critical reception
The song received highly positive reviews from critics[26] and the style has been compared to that of West's The College Dropout album.[14][27] Pitchfork Media featured the song amongst their "best new music" and praised the song, saying, "Jay and Kanye trade off verses and never pause for a chorus, each one building on whatever the last one said-- an old-school rap-collab style you almost never hear anymore. And since these guys are working loose and casual, it gives them chances to show how funny and clever they are without telegraphing their own importance.[24]" NME gave the song a mostly positive review, stating that "What we have here are two titans of black music duetting with another from beyond the grave. For that reason, it's unquestionably An Event", though feeling "In all honesty, if this winds up being the highlight of Watch the Throne we'll all be a bit disappointed."[28]
Rolling Stone gave the song a four stars rating out of five,[29] picked the song as "Favorite New Song" and wrote that "West twists a few seconds of Otis Redding’s "Try a Little Tenderness" into a Blueprint-style barrage, setting the stage for some slick collar-popping from Jay-Z ("Photo shoot fresh, looking like wealth / I’m about to call the paparazzi on myself"). Jay’s performance, in turn, inspires Ye to step up his wordplay ("Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses / Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive"); the younger star sounds like he pulled an all-nighter trying to outdo his mentor’s rhymes."[30]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Kanye_West_Shankbone_2009_Vanity_Fair.jpg/220px-Kanye_West_Shankbone_2009_Vanity_Fair.jpg)
The Chicago Tribune was less enthusiastic about the track, musing that "the references to luxury cars and private jets quickly lose their escapist luster, grossly out of step with a summer in which joblessness and foreclosure are becoming all too common for many Americans" and that "just as disappointing is that the Redding sample – a thrilling burst of agitated vocals, classic Memphis horns, organ and drums – never goes anywhere."[31] Seattle Weekly enjoyed the song, writing "even with the slow, bubbling beat and energetic keyboards, topped with top-notch delivery by Jay and Kay, it's Redding in the background that gives the single its true life and flair."[32] Exclaim! magazine commented that "if the over-the-top aggression of "H•A•M" had you worried that this would be a Waka Flocka ripoff, fear not, as "Otis" makes the most of its Otis Redding sample with some soulful feel-good boom-bap."[33] The Week praised the song, writing 'they inspire each other to 'step up' their game, leading to more clever wordplay and rhymes. Sure, there's nothing 'resembling a chorus,' but with verses packed with such 'wit and style,' 'who needs one?'"[34] The Independent remarked "having seen oddball rap collective Odd Future become the talking point of the blogosphere, Eminem and old partner-in-crime Royce da 5'9" start work on their own bruising collaborative effort, and hazy vibe rappers Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y take steps in the same direction, Jay and Ye have recognised the throne is far from unchallenged, and have come together in the most remarkable dual alliance since André 3000 and Big Boi became Outkast."[35] Frontier Psychiatrist said of 'Otis', "The song’s deconstructed beat is something unusual for Kanye, something more naked and raw than his typical production, and it is on this song that the true nature of [Watch the Throne] becomes clear: it is an experimental notebook."[36]
The New York Observer wrote, "remember early Kanye? These guys finally do. 'Otis' is the perfect anti-single for this album, because it's a reminder that what we always loved about these two collaborating is still very much there. Not only do they not need hooks, neither of them need to remind us that they don't. There was that first line of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 'I fantasized 'bout this back in Chicago,' and then, the relief after it, where you didn't have to worry about the rest of that album", and Billboard claimed "Otis gets better with each play".[26] In an interview with Redding's widow, Zelma Redding, Us Weekly reported that Mrs. Redding approved the song, saying "We are proud that Otis' legacy continues to inspire some of today's popular artists. We like 'Otis' and thank Kanye and Jay-Z for honoring our Otis through their music."[37] Cee Lo Green expressed dissatisfaction with the song, but added "You know what? Instead of me being critical, I can just say I love Jay. I love Kanye, and I especially love them together. You almost kind of think it’s a sure thing, but on a realistic expectation... And I think a song like that can help diffuse it and bring it back down to where it’s realistic again. Chances are, they’re going to come back with something that’s right on the money.”[38]
Music video
The music video, directed by Spike Jonze was filmed in Los Angeles.[39] Pitchfork Media reported that "Jay-Z and Kanye West are doing something big for the video for Otis".[40] The video, featuring a cameo by Aziz Ansari, was released on Thursday August 11, 2011 on MTV and affiliated networks at 8:56 pm ET/PT with an encore showing at 11:00 pm ET/PT on MTV2.[41] The video was uploaded on music video site VEVO on the same day.[42] The video primarily shows West and Jay-Z destroying a Maybach and then driving around in it with no doors or windows, while four girls are smiling in the backseat. The car will be put up for auction, and the proceeds donated toward the East African Drought Disaster.
Remixes
Papoose remixed the song and performed a freestyle over it.[43] Papoose released a music video of his version of the song.[44] Rappers Tinie Tempah, Chipmunk, Wretch 32, and Jadakiss with Styles P of The LOX also released a remix and freestyle.[45] Rapper The Game used some of this song's content to record a diss track named "Uncle Otis", referring to Otis Redding's vocal sample on the track.[46] He insulted Jay-Z along with musicians Kreayshawn, Big Sean, Kanye West amongst others.[47][48] The Game however has gone on record, saying that "It’s poking jokes and taking shots, but that’s what I do" and that song wasn't serious in nature.[49][50] Writing about the song, Pop Crush commented that "an obvious attempt to get some promotion for his upcoming disc, The R.E.D. Album. Later Game used the "Otis" instrumental for a twenty minute freestyle entitled "Daytona 500 (500 Bars)." Cassidy did his. Rappers DMX and Busta Rhymes also made a collaborative "Otis" remix.[51] Singer Ne-Yo also recorded a freestyle rap over "Otis" which will appear on his upcoming mixtape.[52] Rapper M.I.D. made the remix for the song [53]. Teen singer Justin Bieber also rapped a written verse over Jay-Z and Kanye's "Otis" during a live radio show.
Live performances
On August 28, 2011, Jay-Z & Kanye West performed the song for the first time at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.[54]
Chart performance
"Otis" debuted at position 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the week ending August 6, 2011, after a partial week of sales and airplay[12] in which it sold 44,000 digital copies and received an audience of 22 million impressions on all radio formats.[55] The following week, "Otis" jumped into the Hot Digital Songs top 10 at number 9 selling 113,000 copies,[56] and reached number 12 on the Hot 100.[57] The song also debuted at 15 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and 13 on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs.[58][59] Following the same week, the song debuted at number 89 on the Canadian Hot 100 and rose to number 37 the next week.[60] In the UK, the song debuted at 67 on the Singles Chart, and 26 on the R&B Chart.[61][62]
Accolades
For the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012, "Otis" was nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.[63] Spin Magazine has placed "Otis" at #17 on their list of the best songs of 2011. XXL has named "Otis" the 5th best song of 2011.[64]
Credits and personnel
The credits for "Otis" are adapted from the liner notes of Watch the Throne.[65]
- Recording
- Recorded at: The Mercer Hotel in New York City.
- Personnel
- Kanye West – songwriting, vocals, production
- Jay-Z – songwriting, vocals
- Noah Goldstein – recording
- Anthony Kilhoffer – mixing
- Otis Redding – songwriting, vocals
- Harry Woods – songwriting
- Jimmy Campbell – songwriting
- Reg Connelly – songwriting
- Kirk Robinson – songwriting
- Roy Hammond – songwriting
- James Brown – songwriting
- Joseph Roach – songwriting
- Mike Dean – mastering
- Samples
- Contains elements of "Try a Little Tenderness", performed by Otis Redding and written by Harry Woods, Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly, "Top Billin'", performed by Audio Two and written by Kirk Robinson and Roy Hammond, and "Don't Tell a Lie About Me and I Won't Tell the Truth About You", performed by James Brown and written by James Brown and Joseph Roach.
Charts
Chart (2011-12) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[66] | 42 |
Australia Urban (ARIA)[67] | 16 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[68] | 73 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[69] | 5 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[70] | 15 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[60] | 37 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[71] | 73 |
France (SNEP)[72] | 69 |
Ireland (IRMA)[73] | 49 |
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[74] | 29 |
South Korea (Gaon Chart)[75] | 33 |
Scotland (OCC)[76] | 28 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[77] | 61 |
UK R&B (The Official Charts Company)[62] | 10 |
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) [61] | 28 |
US Billboard Hot 100[57] | 12 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) [58] | 2 |
US Rap Songs (Billboard) [59] | 2 |
Sales and certifications
Country | Provider | Certification | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
United States | RIAA | Gold[78] | 500,000+ |
References
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(help) - ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2011/12/top-100-songs-of-2011/#97
- ^ Watch the Throne (Media notes). The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group. 2011.
{{cite AV media notes}}
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- ^ "Aria Top 40 Urban Singles Chart". ARIA. August 8, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
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http://www.spin.com/articles/spins-20-best-songs-2011?page=0%2C3