'Otis': Kanye West and Jay-Z's 'crazy-soulful' new single
The reigning kings of hip-hop tease another track from their upcoming album Watch the Throne. Does "Otis" make the grade?
The audio: After numerous delays and teases, the collaborative album Watch the Thrones from rap giants Kanye West and Jay-Z will be released officially Aug. 2. With buzz for the album reaching cacophonous levels — even after a mixed response to "H.A.M.," the first single — the duo has released another new track from Throne to appease eager fans. (Listen to the song below.) Called "Otis," it samples the Otis Redding classic "Try a Little Tenderness" while 'Ye and Hova trade rhymes about living large.
The reaction: This song is "crazy-soulful," says Josiah Hughes at Exclaim. Oh yeah, says Simon Vozick-Levinson at Rolling Stone. "Jay-Z and Kanye West prove again that they're one of rap's all-time greatest tag teams." 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?" Um, I do, says Greg Kot at The Chicago Tribune. The Otis Redding sample is misused, playing unceremoniously in a "continuous loop" for three minutes. It recalls the "more unimaginative" hip-hop tracks of the '90s, like the "obvious and overblown" songs of Vanilla Ice and Puff Daddy. Both rappers should be producing "much stronger work." Have a listen:
Otis feat. Otis Redding by watchthethrone
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Duchess of Gloucester: the hard-working royal you've never heard of
Under The Radar Outer royal 'never expected' to do duties but has stepped up to the plate
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published