Jay-Z, Kanye West & Otis Redding, Otis | Wacky Wednesday

In the 43^rd edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique “Otis,” performed by Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Otis Redding.

Do you know what day it is? It is Wednesday, folks! Do you know what that means? Why, it is Wacky Wednesday! In the spirited column Wacky Wednesday, we analyze, break down, and explore songs from various musicians of various genres that can be considered unique, unusual, or ‘wacky.’  These songs can be new or old; the only requirement is that they ‘catch the ears’ because of their distinctiveness.  With the background established, in the 43^rd edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique “Otis”, performed by Jay-Z, Kanye West & Otis Redding. Wacky Wednesday vibes commence!

What happens when Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Otis Redding (1941 – 1967) join forces? Magic, and the song, “Otis”, of course! “Otis” is the fourth track from Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaborative 2011 album, Watch The Throne. The Throne single peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2022, it was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.  At the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards, “Otis” won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance.  “Otis” features numerous samples, most notably the soul classic, “Try A Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding.  The genius of Kanye West behind the boards is on full display. “Otis” features distinct sounds given the old-school samples.

Otis Redding is featured prominently at the beginning of the song, gassing up Jay-Z and Kanye West (“…Some girls, they don’t forget it / Love is their only happiness”). Jay-Z also appears in the intro, memorably asking the audience, “Sounds so soulful, don’t you agree?” With the tone set, “Otis” amps up quickly. The way that the sample is used throughout is brilliant.  After his appearance in the intro, Jay-Z draws first blood, delivering a compelling cadence and flow. “Uh, I invented swag / Poppin’ bottles, puttin’ supermodels in the cab,” he spits, and continues, “Proof / I guess I got my swagger back, truth.” Uh! Kanye West follows, matching the energy of Hov in the second verse.  “They say I’m crazy, well, I’m ‘bout to go dumb again / They ain’t seen me ‘cause I pulled up in my other Benz,” he asserts, and continues, “Last week, I was in my other, other Benz / Throw your diamonds up ‘cause we in this bitch another ‘gain.”

The way that Jay-Z and Kanye trade verses is awesome. Jay-Z follows in the third verse, continuing to eat the beat up (“Photoshoot fresh, looking like wealth / I’m ’bout to call the paparazzi on myself”). West is on fire, once more, in the fourth verse, bragging, “I made ‘Jesus Walks’,  I’m never going to hell / Couture-level flow is never going on sale / Luxury rap, the Hermès of verses / Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive.” In the sixth and final verse, Jay and ‘Ye join forces on the phrase, “What more can I say?” “Otis” concludes with a bang, rather, gritty howling/ screaming. It is James Brown’s howl sampled from “Don’t Tell a Lie About Me and I Won’t Tell the Truth on You” (“Scream it / Give it / Scream it”). A rap banger for the ages, Jay-Z and Kanye West kill it on “Otis”.

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Jay-Z & Kanye West » Watch The Throne » Roc-A-Fella Records, LLC / Shawn Carter » 2011

Jay-Z, Kanye West & Otis Redding, Otis: Wacky Wednesday No. 43 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Roc-A-Fella Records, LLC / Shawn Carter; Rich The Barber Font from Font Space; Wendel Natan from Pexels; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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