Otis

Jay-Z, Kanye West

About Otis

"Otis" is a song by American hip hop artists Jay-Z and Kanye West from their first collaborative album Watch the Throne (2011). The song posthumously features soul singer Otis Redding, whose version of "Try a Little Tenderness" is sampled in the song. The production was covered solely by West. The track was premiered by Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 radio show and was released onto the Internet the day afterward. Lyrically, the song has the two rappers sharing lines discussing wealth, decadence and fame. The track received highly positive reviews from music critics who praised the trading off of verses by the two rappers and the Redding-sampled beat, which was compared to the style heard on West's The College Dropout. Several publications placed the song amongst the best of the year. The track was released as the second single from Watch the Throne on July 20, 2011. The song peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached position 2 on both the Billboard Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. The song has since been certified 2x Platinum for sales exceeding 2,000,000. The song received a music video directed by Spike Jonze in August 2011. 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. The cover art was designed by Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci. 


Year:
2011
2:58
385 
#3

 Struggling with Otis? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!

It makes it easier, easier to bear
You won't regret it, no, no
No, girl they don't forget it
Love is their home
Happiness yeah
Sq-sq-sq-squeeze her (Sounds so soulful don't you agree)
Don't tease her
Never leave her

I invented swag
Poppin' bottles, puttin' supermodels in the cab, proof
I guess I got my swagger back, truth
New watch alert, Hublot's
Or the big face Rollie I got two of those
Arm out the window through the city I maneuver slow
Cock back, snap back
See my cut through the holes

Damn Yeezy and Hov,
Where the hell ya been?
Niggas talkin' real reckless, stuntmen
I adopted these niggas, Phillip Drummond 'em
Now I'm bout to make them tuck they whole summer in
They say I'm crazy, well, I'm 'bout to go dumb again
They ain't see me 'cause I pulled up in my other Benz
Last week I was in my other other Benz
Throw your diamonds up 'cause we in this bitch another 'gain

Photo shoot fresh, looking like wealth
I'm 'bout to call the paparazzi on myself
Uh, live from the Mercer
Run up on Yeezy the wrong way, I might murk ya
Flee in the G four fifty I might surface
Political refugee, asylum can be purchased
Uh, everything's for sale, I got five passports
I'm never going to jail

I made "Jesus Walks" I'm never going to hell
Couture level flow, it's never going on sale
Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses
Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive
I get it custom, you a customer
You ain't 'customed to going through customs,
You ain't been nowhere, huh?
And all the ladies in the house, got 'em showing off
I'm done, I hit ya up mana-na!

Welcome to Havana
Smoking Cubanos with Castro in cabanas
Viva Mexico, Cubano
Dominicano, all the plugs that I know
Driving Benzes, with' no benefits
Not bad huh? For some immigrants
Build your fences, we diggin' tunnels
Can't you see? We gettin' money up under you

Can't you see the private jets flyin' over you?
Maybach bumper sticker read "What would Hova do?"
Jay is chillin', 'Ye is chillin'
What more can I say? We killin' 'em
Hold up, before we end this campaign
As you can see, we done bodied the damn lames
Lord, please let them accept the things they can't change
And pray that all of their pain be champagne

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), 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. In 2012, Forbes estimated Carter's net worth at nearly $500 million. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving fourteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time. He was ranked #1 by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006. Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001) are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling S… more »

7 fans

Written by: James Campbell, Reg Connelly, Harry Woods, James Brown, Shawn Carter, Roy C Hammond, Joseph Maloy Roach, Kirk S Robinson, Kanye West

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Collaboration
"Otis" is a track by Jay-Z in collaboration with fellow American rapper Kanye West. They released it under their joint project, "Watch the Throne.”
Inspiration
The song "Otis" is named after and heavily samples the late soul singer Otis Redding, using his 1966 hit "Try a Little Tenderness.”
Production
Kanye West is credited with producing this track. He is known for incorporating old soul music samples in his productions, and this song is a prime example.
Chart Performance
On its release, "Otis" peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, demonstrating Jay-Z and Kanye West's commercial appeal.
Grammys
It won the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, further solidifying Jay-Z and Kanye West's status in the rap industry.
Music Video
The music video for "Otis" was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Spike Jonze. It features the two artists joyriding in a luxury car, seeming to have a good time.
Pop Culture
The song is referenced in popular culture, including TV shows and other songs, due to its immense popularity.
Platinum Status
"Otis" was certified Platinum by RIAA in 2011, meaning it sold over a million copies.
Charity Work
The Maybach car from the "Otis" video was later auctioned off for charity, with the proceeds going to the Save The Children foundation.
Album Size
Despite the album "Watch the Throne" having sixteen songs, "Otis" ended up being one of the most prominent and popular songs from the album.

Discuss the Otis Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Otis Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/25668561/Jay-Z/Otis>.

    Missing lyrics by Jay-Z?

    Know any other songs by Jay-Z? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Otis

    202.7M
    990.9K     69,899

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Finish the lyric "I told you__"
    A I got what's waiting for them
    B long ago
    C come there
    D go to school

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Jay-Z tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!