The Story of O.J.

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"The Story of O.J."
Conscious 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

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

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

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]

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

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

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

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

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

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  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. 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. 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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