Otis (song)
Encyclopedia
"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 tracklist. 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. It was also confirmed the song would heavily sample Otis Redding
. 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.
The cover art was designed by Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci
. Following its release the song received significant coverage and was reviewed by several sources. The song received highly positive reviews from music critic
s and has received radio airplay. 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
.
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.
, was initially previewed by Jay-Z
himself at 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, music journalists, and contest winners. After these listening sessions, it was confirmed that a song called "Otis", would appear on the album. It was reported that the song would sample
soul
singer Otis Redding
's version of "Try a Little Tenderness
". 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, though no other official singles for the album have been confirmed. When the song was released, it quickly became a trending topic on Twitter and was heavily searched for. On July 22, the song was released to the iTunes Store
and was a free download for those who pre-ordered the album. The song received moderate airplay
. It will be sent by The Island Def Jam Music Group
to rhythmic contemporary
and urban contemporary
radio on August 9.
, 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. The artwork was released onto the internet following the song's release and could be downloaded along with the song.
of the cover version "Try a Little Tenderness
" by Otis Redding
. Jay-Z and West promptly rap over the sample in style reminiscent to past Kanye productions. 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." 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." The song ends with sampled screaming.
album. 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." 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."
Rolling Stone
gave the song a four stars rating out of five, 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."
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." 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." 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." 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?'" 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
." 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."
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". In an interview with Redding's widow
, Zelma Redding, Us Weekly
reported that approved of 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." 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.”
was filmed in Los Angeles
. Pitchfork Media
reported that "Jay-Z and Kanye West are doing something big for the video for Otis". 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. The video was uploaded on music video site VEVO
on the same day. 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.
remixed the song and performed a freestyle over it. Papoose released a music video of his version of the song. Rappers Tinie Tempah
, Chipmunk
, Wretch 32
, and Jadakiss
with Styles P
of The LOX
also released a remix and freestyle. 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. He insulted Jay-Z along with musicians Kreayshawn
, Big Sean
, Kanye West
amongst others. 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. Writing about the song, Pop Crush commented that "an obvious attempt to get some promotion for his upcoming disc, The R.E.D. Album
Lil Wayne & Drake did one together, dissing Big Sean. Lil Wayne did a solo. Cassidy did his. Lil Wayne & Wiz Khalifa did one.(due Aug. 23)". Rappers DMX and Busta Rhymes
also made a collaborative "Otis" remix. Singer Ne-Yo
recorded a freestyle to Otis which will appear on his upcoming mixtape. Ne-Yo rapped on this freestyle, unlike his usual material in which he is singing
.
on the week ending August 6, 2011, after a partial week of sales and airplay in which it sold 44,000 digital copies and received an audience of 22 million impressions on all radio formats. The following week, "Otis" jumped into the Hot Digital Songs top 10 at number 9 selling 113,000 copies, and reached number 12 on the Hot 100. The song also debuted at 15 on Billboard
's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
and 13 on Billboards Hot Rap Songs
. Following the same week, the song debuted at number 89 on the Canadian Hot 100
and rose to number 37 the next week. In the UK, the song debuted at 67 on the Singles Chart
, and 26 on the R&B Chart
.
in 2012, "Otis" was nominated for Grammy Award
s for Best Rap Performance
and Best Rap Song
.
Recording
Personnel
Samples
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
from their collaboration album Watch the Throne
Watch the Throne
Watch the Throne is a 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. It was...
, and is the fourth song on the tracklist. 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. It was also confirmed the song would heavily sample Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
. On July 19, the release of the song the following day was confirmed via Twitter. The next day, "Otis" was premiered by Funkmaster Flex
Funkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
's Hot 97 radio show and afterward, it was released onto the Internet.
The cover art was designed by Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci
Riccardo Tisci
Riccardo Tisci is an Italian fashion designer. He graduated from London's Central Saint Martins Academy in 1999, and in 2005 was named Creative Director for Givenchy womenswear and haute couture...
. Following its release the song received significant coverage and was reviewed by several sources. The song received highly positive reviews from music critic
Music criticism
See also Music journalism for reporting on classical and popular music in the media.The Oxford Companion to Music defines music criticism as 'the intellectual activity of formulating judgments on the value and degree of excellence of individual works of music, or whole groups or genres'. In this...
s and has received radio airplay. On July 22, the song was released to the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
and on July 31, the song debuted at number 47 and went on to peak at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
The accompanying music video for "Otis" was released on August 11, 2011 and was shot by West's past collaborator Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze is an American director, producer and actor, whose work includes music videos, commercials, film and television...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The video primarily shows West and Jay-Z modifying a Maybach
Maybach
Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH is a German luxury car manufacturer. It was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and his son. The company was originally a subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH and was itself known as Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH until 1912.Today, the ultra-luxury car brand is owned by...
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," along with the other songs from Watch the ThroneWatch the Throne
Watch the Throne is a 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. It was...
, was initially previewed by Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
himself at a private listening session at the Mercer Hotel in New York City, previewing the album's songs from his MacBook Pro
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is a line of Macintosh portable computers introduced in January 2006 by Apple. It replaced the PowerBook G4 and was the second model, after the iMac, to be announced in the Apple–Intel transition...
for a select group of reporters, music journalists, and contest winners. After these listening sessions, it was confirmed that a song called "Otis", would appear on the album. It was reported that the song would sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
's version of "Try a Little Tenderness
Try a Little Tenderness
"Try a Little Tenderness" is a love song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry M. Woods, and recorded initially on December 8, 1932 by the Ray Noble Orchestra followed by both Ruth Etting and Bing Crosby in 1933...
". On July 20, "Otis" was premiered on Funkmaster Flex
Funkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
's Hot 97 radio show and subsequently was released for download to the Internet as a way to promote the upcoming album, though no other official singles for the album have been confirmed. When the song was released, it quickly became a trending topic on Twitter and was heavily searched for. On July 22, the song was released to the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
and was a free download for those who pre-ordered the album. The song received moderate airplay
Airplay
* Airplay is the amount of time a song is played on the radio.It may also refer to:* AirPlay, an audio & video streaming technology from Apple Inc.* Airplay , Foster & Graydon music project from 1980* Citroën C1, Citroën C1 Airplay...
. It will be sent by The Island Def Jam Music Group
The Island Def Jam Music Group
The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group, formerly The Island Def Jam Music Group, is an umbrella label formed in 1999 when Universal Music Group merged two of its daughter companies, Island Records and Def Jam Recordings, to create a label group. In 2011, Motown Records was split from the Universal...
to rhythmic contemporary
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
and urban contemporary
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
radio on August 9.
Artwork
The cover art for "Otis" was designed by Italian fashion designer Riccardo TisciRiccardo Tisci
Riccardo Tisci is an Italian fashion designer. He graduated from London's Central Saint Martins Academy in 1999, and in 2005 was named Creative Director for Givenchy womenswear and haute couture...
, who had previously designed the artwork for the "H•A•M
H•A•M
"H•A•M" is a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, released as the first single from their collaboration album Watch the Throne. It debuted at #23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was released as a digital download on iTunes on January 11, 2011. It was produced by Lexus "Lex Luger" Lewis...
" single cover and the Watch the Throne
Watch the Throne
Watch the Throne is a 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. It was...
album cover. It features the American flag
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
, both artists names and the name of the song and the album. The artwork was released onto the internet following the song's release and could be downloaded along with the song.
Composition
"Otis" is 2:58 long and is a mid-tempo hip-hop song. The song, which was produced by West, is built upon a sampleSampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
of the cover version "Try a Little Tenderness
Try a Little Tenderness
"Try a Little Tenderness" is a love song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry M. Woods, and recorded initially on December 8, 1932 by the Ray Noble Orchestra followed by both Ruth Etting and Bing Crosby in 1933...
" by Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
. Jay-Z and West promptly rap over the sample in style reminiscent to past Kanye productions. Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
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." The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun is a daily newspaper first published in the Canadian province of British Columbia on February 12, 1912. The paper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network. It is published six days a week, Monday to Saturday...
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." The song ends with sampled screaming.
Critical reception
The song received highly positive reviews from critics and the style has been compared to that of West's The College DropoutThe College Dropout
The College Dropout is the debut album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released February 10, 2004, on Roc-A-Fella Records. It was recorded over a period of four years, beginning in 1999. Prior to the album's release, West had worked on rapper Jay-Z's The Blueprint , which showcased his...
album. Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
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
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
, 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." NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
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."
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
gave the song a four stars rating out of five, picked the song as "Favorite New Song" and wrote that "West twists a few seconds of Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
’s "Try a Little Tenderness
Try a Little Tenderness
"Try a Little Tenderness" is a love song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry M. Woods, and recorded initially on December 8, 1932 by the Ray Noble Orchestra followed by both Ruth Etting and Bing Crosby in 1933...
" into a Blueprint
The Blueprint
The Blueprint is the sixth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released September 11, 2001 on Roc-A-Fella Records in the United States. Its release was set a week earlier than initially planned in order to combat bootlegging. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2001 at Manhattan...
-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
Paparazzi
Paparazzi is an Italian term used to refer to photojournalists who specialize in candid photography of celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people...
on myself"). Jay’s performance, in turn, inspires Ye to step up his wordplay ("Luxury rap, the Hermes
Hermes
Hermes is the great messenger of the gods in Greek mythology and a guide to the Underworld. Hermes was born on Mount Kyllini in Arcadia. An Olympian god, he is also the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds, of the cunning of thieves, of orators and...
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."
The Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
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." Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly is a freely distributed newspaper in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded by Darrell Oldham and David Brewster as The 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." Exclaim!
Exclaim!
Exclaim! is a monthly Canadian music magazine that features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with special focus on Canadian and cutting-edge artists...
magazine commented that "if the over-the-top aggression of "H•A•M
H•A•M
"H•A•M" is a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, released as the first single from their collaboration album Watch the Throne. It debuted at #23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was released as a digital download on iTunes on January 11, 2011. It was produced by Lexus "Lex Luger" Lewis...
" 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." The Week
The Week
The Week, styled as THE WEEK, is a weekly news magazine.-History:It was founded in the United Kingdom by Jolyon Connell in 1995. In April 2001, the magazine began publishing an American edition; an Australian edition followed in October 2008. Dennis Publishing publishes the U.K. and Australian...
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?'" The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
remarked "having seen oddball rap collective Odd Future
OFWGKTA
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, often abbreviated OFWGKTA and also known simply as Odd Future or Golf Wang, is an alternative hip hop collective from Los Angeles, California...
become the talking point of the blogosphere, Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
and old partner-in-crime Royce da 5'9" start work on their own bruising collaborative effort
Hell: The Sequel
Hell: The Sequel is the debut extended play by Bad Meets Evil, an American hip hop duo composed of Royce da 5'9" and Eminem. It was released on June 13, 2011 in some countries by Shady Records and Interscope Records and on June 14, 2011 in the United States. The EP focuses on hardcore hip hop and...
, and hazy vibe rappers Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz , better known by the stage name Wiz Khalifa , is an American rapper. He released his debut album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007...
and Curren$y
Currensy
Shante Scott Franklin, born April 4, 1981, better known by his stage name Curren$y, is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana.-Early career:...
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
André 3000
André Lauren Benjamin , better known by his stage name André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi...
and Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
became Outkast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
." 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."
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". In an interview with Redding's widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
, Zelma Redding, Us Weekly
Us Weekly
Us Weekly is a celebrity gossip magazine, founded in 1977 by The New York Times Company, who sold it in 1980. It was acquired by Wenner Media in 1986. The publication covers topics ranging from celebrity relationships to the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and entertainment...
reported that approved of 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." 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.”
Music video
The music video, directed by Spike JonzeSpike Jonze
Spike Jonze is an American director, producer and actor, whose work includes music videos, commercials, film and television...
was filmed in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
reported that "Jay-Z and Kanye West are doing something big for the video for Otis". The video, featuring a cameo by Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari is an American actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. He currently stars as Tom Haverford on the NBC show Parks and Recreation....
, 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. The video was uploaded on music video site VEVO
Vevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
on the same day. 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
American rapper PapoosePapoose (rapper)
Shamele Mackie , better known by his stage name Papoose , is an American rapper.-Biography:Born March 5, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York City by Sierra Leone and Native American parents, Papoose made his first attempts at rapping at the age of 7. He was given his name by his grandma Vivian because of...
remixed the song and performed a freestyle over it. Papoose released a music video of his version of the song. Rappers Tinie Tempah
Tinie Tempah
Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu , better known by his stage name Tinie Tempah, is a British rapper. He made his first mixtape in 2007 with 28 songs, freestyles and remixes, the album features Mz Bratt, Chipmunk and G-Unit...
, Chipmunk
Chipmunk (rapper)
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe known by his stage name Chipmunk, is a British hip hop rapper and songwriter from Tottenham, London....
, Wretch 32
Wretch 32
Jermaine Scott , better known by his stage name Wretch 32 , is a Black British rapper and former Grime MC from Tottenham, London where he grew up the son of a local reggae DJ in the Tiverton Estate. He was a member of the grime collective "Combination Chain Gang", before forming The Movement with...
, and Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
with Styles P
Styles P
David Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
of The LOX
The LOX
The Lox are an American hip hop group composed of Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P. They were originally signed to Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records before joining Ruff Ryders Entertainment, and are now a part of their own label, D-Block Records-Early career:...
also released a remix and freestyle. Rapper The Game used some of this song's content to record a diss track
Diss track
A diss track or diss song is a song primarily intended to disparage or insult another person or group. While musical parodies and attacks have always existed, the trend became increasingly common in the hip hop genre as part of the hip hop rivalry phenomenon...
named "Uncle Otis", referring to Otis Redding's vocal sample on the track. He insulted Jay-Z along with musicians Kreayshawn
Kreayshawn
Natassia Gail Zolot, known by her stage name Kreayshawn, is an American rapper and music video director.-Early life:...
, Big Sean
Big Sean
Sean Michael Anderson , better known by his stage name Big Sean, is an American rapper. Big Sean signed with Kanye West's G.O.O.D...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
amongst others. 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. Writing about the song, Pop Crush commented that "an obvious attempt to get some promotion for his upcoming disc, The R.E.D. Album
The R.E.D. Album
The R.E.D. Album is the fourth studio album by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game, which was released on August 23, 2011 through DGC Records and Interscope Records after almost two years of delays since late 2009 and being rescheduled a total of 10 times...
Lil Wayne & Drake did one together, dissing Big Sean. Lil Wayne did a solo. Cassidy did his. Lil Wayne & Wiz Khalifa did one.(due Aug. 23)". Rappers DMX and Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
also made a collaborative "Otis" remix. Singer Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
recorded a freestyle to Otis which will appear on his upcoming mixtape. Ne-Yo rapped on this freestyle, unlike his usual material in which he is singing
Live performances
On August 28, 2011, Jay-Z & Kanye West performed the song for the first time at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards2011 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards took place on August 28, at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, honoring the best music videos from the previous year. On July 20, the nominees were announced...
.
Chart performance
"Otis" debuted at position 47 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
on the week ending August 6, 2011, after a partial week of sales and airplay in which it sold 44,000 digital copies and received an audience of 22 million impressions on all radio formats. The following week, "Otis" jumped into the Hot Digital Songs top 10 at number 9 selling 113,000 copies, and reached number 12 on the Hot 100. The song also debuted at 15 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
and 13 on Billboards Hot Rap Songs
Hot Rap Songs
Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single...
. Following the same week, the song debuted at number 89 on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
and rose to number 37 the next week. In the UK, the song debuted at 67 on the Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and 26 on the R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
.
Accolades
For the 54th Grammy Awards54th Grammy Awards
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be broadcasted on CBS. Nominations were announced on November 30, 2011 on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night", a...
in 2012, "Otis" was nominated for Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s for Best Rap Performance
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance was an honor presented to recording artists at the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989 and the 32nd Grammy Awards in 1990 and again from 2012 for quality rap performances...
and Best Rap Song
Grammy Award for Best Rap Song
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Song was first awarded in 2004. It is a songwriting award given to all who wrote the lyrics and music of the song. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year...
.
Credits and personnel
The credits for "Otis" are adapted from the liner notes of Watch the Throne.Recording
- Recorded at: The Mercer Hotel in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Personnel
- Kanye WestKanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
– songwritingSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Jay-ZJay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
– songwriting, vocals - Noah Goldstein – recording
- Anthony Kilhoffer – mixingAudio mixingAudio mixing may refer to:*Audio mixing *Audio mixing *Live sound mixing...
- Otis ReddingOtis ReddingOtis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
– songwriting, vocals - Harry Woods – songwriting
- Jimmy Campbell – songwriting
- Reg Connelly – songwriting
- Kirk Robinson – songwriting
- Roy Hammond – songwriting
- James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
– songwriting - Joseph Roach – songwriting
- Mike DeanMike Dean (producer)Mike Dean is an American hip-hop producer. He is known for pioneering the "Dirty South" sound in the 1990s, particularly in work for artists from Rap-A-Lot Records. Dean has most notably worked alongside Scarface of the Geto Boys, 2Pac, Do or Die, Tha Dogg Pound, Yukmouth of the Luniz, Outlawz,...
– masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
Samples
- Contains elements of "Try a Little TendernessTry a Little Tenderness"Try a Little Tenderness" is a love song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry M. Woods, and recorded initially on December 8, 1932 by the Ray Noble Orchestra followed by both Ruth Etting and Bing Crosby in 1933...
", performed by Otis ReddingOtis ReddingOtis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
and written by Harry Woods, Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly, "Top Billin'Top Billin'"Top Billin" was the breakout hit for American hip-hop duo Audio Two, although it was released as the B-side to "Make It Funky" in 1987, from the album What More Can I Say?. The song made a deep cultural impact on hip hop. The song was voted #8 in About.com's Top 100 Rap Songs...
", performed by Audio TwoAudio TwoAudio Two were the Brooklyn, New York hip hop duo of emcee Kirk "Milk Dee" Robinson and DJ Nat "Gizmo" Robinson, most famous for its first hit, the classic "Top Billin'." The members of the duo are also the older brothers of female hip-hop star MC Lyte.-History:The duo’s debut single, "Make it...
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 BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
and written by James Brown and Joseph Roach.
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Urban (ARIA ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... ) |
16 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... ) |
37 |
| Japan (Japan Hot 100 Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com .... ) |
29 |
| South Korea (Gaon Chart Gaon Chart The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts... ) |
33 |
| UK R&B (The Official Charts Company) | 10 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 28 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
12 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
2 |
| US Rap Songs (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
2 |