JAY-Z and Kanye West are two of the biggest names in hip-hop and music history.

Known for his groundbreaking albums, JAY-Z, like The Blueprint and The Black Album, has earned multiple Grammy Awards and is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

With his revolutionary hip-hop albums, including The College Dropout, Late Registration, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West has earned 24 Grammy Awards.

Together, they collaborated on the critically acclaimed album Watch the Throne (2011), which cemented their status as pioneers in music. Both have continued to shape the music industry with their evolving sounds, powerful lyrics, and influence on contemporary culture.

About the Song

Otis is a lively track with strong beats and catchy hooks. The song samples Otis Redding’s classic “Try a Little Tenderness” and has high energy. JAY-Z and Kanye trade verses, creating a powerful vibe. It’s a fan favorite, known for its bold sound and fun flow.

Lyrics of Otis by JAY-Z and Kanye West

Produced by Kanye West

Intro: Otis Redding & JAY-Z

It makes it easier, easier to bear
You won’t regret it, no, no, no
Some girls, they don’t forget it
Love is their only happiness
Squee’— Squee’— Squee’—
(Sounds so soulful, don’t you agree?)
Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her

Verse 1: JAY-Z

Uh, I invented swag
Poppin’ bottles, puttin’ supermodels in the cab
Proof
I guess I got my swagger back, truth
New watch alert, Hublots
Or the big-face Rollie, I got two of those
Arm out the window, through the city, I maneuver slow
Cock back, snapback, see my cut through the holes, Hov

Verse 2: Kanye West

Damn, Yeezy and Hov, where the hell you been?
Niggas talking real reckless, stuntmen
I adopted these niggas, Phillip Drummond them
Now I’m ’bout to make ’em tuck they whole summer in
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
Last week, I was in my other, other Benz
Throw your diamonds up ’cause we in this bitch another ‘gain

Verse 3: JAY-Z

Photoshoot 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 G450, I might surface
Political refugee, asylum can be purchased
Uh, everything’s for sale
I got five passports, I’m never going to jail

Verse 4: Kanye West

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
I get it custom, you a customer
You ain’t accustomed to going through customs, you ain’t been nowhere, hah?
And all the ladies in the house got ’em showing off
I’m done, I’ll hit you up maña— nah

Verse 5: JAY-Z

Welcome to Havana
Smoking Cubanos with Castro in cabanas
Viva México, 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?

Verse 6: Kanye West, Jay-Z & Both

Can’t you see the private jets flying over you?
Maybach bumper sticker read, “What would Hova do?”
Jay is chillin’ (Uh), Ye is chillin’ (Uh)
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 they pain be champagne

Outro

Scream it
Give it
Scream it

Awards for The Song

Similar Artists Like JAY-Z and Kanye West

Here’s a list of similar artists to Kanye West and JAY-Z, in terms of genre, influence, and collaborative history within hip-hop and rap:

• Drake
  Genres: Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B
  Top Albums: Take Care (2011), Nothing Was the Same (2013), Scorpion (2018)
• Lil Wayne
  Genres: Hip-Hop, Rap, Southern Hip-Hop
  Top Albums: Tha Carter III (2008), I Am Not a Human Being (2010), Tha Carter V (2018)
• Travis Scott
  Genres: Hip-Hop, Rap, Trap
  Top Albums: Astroworld (2018), Rodeo (2015), Utopia (2023)
• Kendrick Lamar
  Genres: Hip-Hop, Rap, West Coast Hip-Hop
  Top Albums: good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), DAMN. (2017)
• Pusha T
  Genres: Hip-Hop, Rap, East Coast Hip-Hop
  Top Albums: Daytona (2018), My Name Is My Name (2013), King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude (2015)
• Future
  Genres: Hip-Hop, Trap, Rap
  Top Albums: DS2 (2015), HNDRXX (2017), High Off Life (2020)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happened to the Maybach in the Otis Video?

In the “Otis” video, Jay-Z and Kanye West modified a $350,000 Maybach 57 by cutting into it and transforming it into a unique, artistic vehicle. ​

What Song did Kanye Sample for Otis?

Kanye West sampled Otis Redding’s 1966 recording of “Try a Little Tenderness” for the song “Otis.” ​

What Song did Kanye Sample for Jay-Z?

For Jay-Z’s track “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” Kanye West sampled The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” ​