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The Story of O.J.

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"The Story of O.J."
Song by Jay-Z
from the album 4:44
ReleasedJune 30, 2017 (2017-06-30)
GenreConscious hip hop
Length3:52
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Music video
"The Story of O.J." on YouTube

"The Story of O.J." is a song by American rapper Jay-Z from his thirteenth studio album 4:44. It was produced by Jay-Z and No I.D. Following the release of the album, the song charted in a couple of regions, entering and peaking at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as charting at number 88 on the UK Singles Chart. It received three nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.[1] The song features samples from Nina Simone's song "Four Women". The song's instrumental was used by American rapper Pusha T in his 2018 diss track against Canadian rapper and singer Drake.[2] American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again also remixed the song in 2020.[3]

Music video

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The music video for "The Story of O.J." premiered on July 5, 2017 on Jay-Z's Vevo account on YouTube. It was directed by Jay-Z and Mark Romanek.[4]

The video uses a style similar to the Censored Eleven cartoons, depicting several well-known stereotypes associated with African Americans. Among other things, the video touches on African American culture, various roles within the black community, and how the black community is affected by money. O. J. Simpson (the song's namesake) is featured saying the line, "I'm not black, I'm O.J.," a reference to the idea that wealth, notoriety, and fame can transcend race. Rolling Stone declared it the best music video of 2017[5] and placed it at #35 on their list of 150 Best Rap Music Videos of All Time.[6]

Controversy

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One of the song's lyrics "You wanna know what's more important than throwin' away money at a strip club? Credit. You ever wonder why Jewish people own all the property in America? This how they did it" caused backlash[7] as many have called it antisemitic to suggest Jews own all the property in America and they did it by "credit."[8] Hadley Freeman penned an article in The Guardian stating that the song "repeats a racist trope about Jewish people" and that "it can’t just be laughed off as a compliment."[9]

Guy Oseary, an Israeli-American talent manager and producer Russell Simmons defended Jay-Z, with Oseary argued the lyric was a "way to showcase a community of people that are thought to have made wise business decisions."[10] An Anti-Defamation League representative told Rolling Stone that they do not believe Jay-Z’s intent was to promote antisemitism but that they were "concerned that this lyric could feed into preconceived notions about Jews and alleged Jewish ‘control’ of the banks and finance.”[11][10] Jay-Z said on the Rap Radar podcast referring to the imagery in the video in relation to the controversial lyric: "It’s hard for me to take that serious, because I exaggerated every black image in the world. [...] Of course I know Jewish people don’t own all the property in the world. I mean, I own things! It was an exaggeration [...] In the context of the song, I’m trying say, you guys did it right!"[12]

Awards

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Year Ceremony Award Result
2018 60th Grammy Awards[13] Record of the Year Nominated
Best Rap Song Nominated
Best Music Video Nominated

Personnel

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Charts

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2017) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 53
France (SNEP)[15] 103
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 88
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[17] 27
US Billboard Hot 100[18] 23
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] 10

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[20] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Kreps, Daniel (November 28, 2017). "Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars Lead 2018 Grammy Nominees". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  2. ^ Blistein, Jon (2018-05-30). "Hear Pusha-T's Ruthless New Drake Diss Track 'The Story of Adidon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  3. ^ "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Freestyles Over Jay-Z's 'The Story of O.J.' in New Video". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  4. ^ Jesus, Austin Elias-de (June 30, 2017). "Jay Z's New Music Video Uses America's Long History of Racist Cartoons to Deliver a Haunting Message". Slate. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "10 Best Music Videos of 2017". Rolling Stone. 27 December 2017. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  6. ^ "150 Best Rap Music Videos of All Time". Rolling Stone. August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  7. ^ Jesus, Austin Elias-de (2017-07-07). "The Anti-Defamation League Responds to Jay-Z's Controversial "The Story of O.J."". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  8. ^ Blistein, Jon (2017-07-06). "ADL Questions Jay-Z Over Jewish Lyric in 'The Story of O.J.'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  9. ^ "Sorry, Jay-Z – saying that Jews own all property in America is antisemitic". the Guardian. 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  10. ^ a b Blistein, Jon (2017-07-06). "ADL Questions Jay-Z Over Jewish Lyric in 'The Story of O.J.'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  11. ^ Andrews, Travis M. "Jay-Z lyric plays into Jewish stereotypes, Anti-Defamation League says". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  12. ^ "Jay-Z - Rap Radar Podcast (Part 1)". YouTube. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List". November 28, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  14. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "JAY-Z – The Story of O.J." (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  18. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  19. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  20. ^ "American single certifications – Jay-Z – The Story of O.J." Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
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