The Joy (song)

Last updated
"The Joy"
Kanye West - The Joy.jpeg
Promotional single by Jay-Z and Kanye West featuring Curtis Mayfield
from the album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (intended) and Watch The Throne (Deluxe)
ReleasedOctober 29, 2010 (2010-10-29)
RecordedJuly 2010 – October 2010
Studio Avex (Honolulu)
Genre Hip-hop
Length5:16
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"The Joy" is a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, released on October 29, 2010. The song posthumously features singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield due to samples of his work and voice being used. It was originally released as part of West's GOOD Fridays initiative, a weekly free music giveaway started by the rapper to promote the album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010); it was later re-released as a track on the deluxe edition of Jay-Z and West's collaborative album, Watch the Throne (2011).

Contents

The song features additional vocals from producer Pete Rock and American singers Kid Cudi and Charlie Wilson. Along with Curtis Mayfield, the song also makes use of samples from "Different Strokes" by Syl Johnson; the latter would sue West and Jay-Z in October 2011 for their usage of his song, as they had failed to properly clear it in preparation for its monetized release.

Lyrically, the song explores multiple different themes, such as nostalgia, abortion, and the regret associated with both. Despite the heavy subject matter, the song itself is generally laid back in tone, being described as "smooth" by critics. Rock produced the song along with West, with additional production being provided by Mike Dean and Jeff Bhasker.

Though some critics criticized West's verses, the song received generally positive reviews, especially in regards to the production done by Pete Rock, which many used to draw comparisons to earlier songs by both artists. Jay-Z's verse in particular is often complimented in reviews for the song.

Background

The track was recorded at Avex in Honolulu, Hawaii during sessions for West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy SSL 9000 J, left angled cool color, Avex Honolulu Studios.jpg
The track was recorded at Avex in Honolulu, Hawaii during sessions for West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

"The Joy" was originally conceived during sessions for West's fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, appearing on a leaked track listing of the album from July 2010. [1] It was later meant to be a bonus track for the album, but was cut due to sample clearance issues. [2] [3] Its placement as a bonus track on Watch the Throne was announced prior to the album's release, as were the rest of the deluxe songs. [4]

Pete Rock, who produced for the song, was unaware of Jay-Z's presence on the track until being played his verse by engineer Young Guru. Rock was shocked to learn that Jay-Z had a verse, as they had yet to release any music together in the years they had been associates; he was particularly flattered by Jay-Z's "Pete Rock let the needle drop" line. [5]

Composition

Musically. "The Joy" is a warm [6] hip-hop track with heavy use of soul sampling, a style West is heavily associated with. [7] Laid-back in tone, it is significantly less bombastic than most of the GOOD Fridays output. [8] In his first verse, West describes an encounter with a woman which resulted in her pregnancy, ultimately causing her to get an abortion. However, he still feels their presence in his life, tying into the sample of Curtis Mayfield singing "the joy of children laughing around you." [9] In his second verse, West notes the throwback nature of the songs production, but mainly commentates on his critics and those who doubt his success. [6] The songs third verse, done by Jay-Z, focuses on his childhood, rapping about his neighborhood with a mixture of fondness and regret. [10]

Release and reception

"The Joy" was first released as the 12th promotional single of West's GOOD Fridays series on October 29, 2010. [11] Like all of the cover art for GOOD Fridays, the cover art was directed by designer Virgil Abloh. [12] "The Joy" was later included as the 16th and final track on the deluxe edition of West and Jay-Z's collaborative album, Watch the Throne, on August 8, 2011. [13]

Critical response

Reviewing the GOOD Fridays release, Pitchfork 's Ryan Dombal criticized the hypocrisy of West's lyrics, stating "'no electro, no metro, a little retro, ah perfecto' sounds a little revisionist from the guy who sampled Daft Punk, made "Flashing Lights" a hit, and sports tailored suits in bed." However, he compliments Rock's production, as when considering the three artists status' in hip-hop, "such hypocritical back-peddling slides under easy just because the lineage is so pure." He ends his review on a positive note, saying the song "is a unique throwback. It flattens time, flows endless." [14] The Guardian writer Alex Peditris had a similar reaction to the songs lyrics; "There's a lovely, warm moment on 'The Joy' when an old Curtis Mayfield sample plays and [Jay-Z] notes, almost as an aside: 'This is my mama's shit, I used to hear it through the walls in the 'hood.' West, meanwhile, is still moaning about South Park taking the mick out of him and struggling with some laboured wordplay." [6] Amrit Singh of Stereogum saw the track as proof that Jay-Z "[is] back in fighting shape herein." [15]

Red Bull ranked the track 17th on their list of the 20 best Jay-Z songs, with writer Drew Millard find that the track "was an event in the same way that a long-overdue reunion with a family member is an event." He emphasized the differences between West and Jay-Z's lyrics, as "while Kanye's verse oscillates between goofy sex jokes and self-empowerment aphorisms, Jay treats Rock’s Curtis Mayfield flip with reverence, rapping about his childhood with a mix of nostalgia and regret." [10] Writer Kemet High included it on XXL's list of the most essential collaborations between Jay-Z and West. [16] Rose Lilah of HotNewHipHop listed the track on their list of the top 5 best songs from West's GOOD Fridays series, writing that "The Joy" was "one of the most oh-so-soulful records" from the collection of singles, adding that in contrast to the typical "fun-loving, banger-type sound" of GOOD Fridays tracks, “'The Joy' is a smooth, laid-back offering". [8] "The Joy" placed third on Complex 's list of the best songs from Watch the Throne. [17] In a separate list for Complex, staff chose it as West's 23rd best verse of all time, comparing his first verse to the poem the mother by Gwendolyn Brooks. [9]

Lawsuit

Syl Johnson, whose song "Different Strokes" is used for the song's signature grunts, was not properly credited when it released SylJohnson1997.jpg
Syl Johnson, whose song "Different Strokes" is used for the song's signature grunts, was not properly credited when it released

On October 2011, Syl Johnson sued Jay-Z and West, alleging that he was not properly credited and compensated for the tracks usage of his song "Different Strokes". [2] Johnson had previously sued over uncleared samples, including a $29 million lawsuit against Cypress Hill, which was dismissed in 2008 on technicality of the songs copyright status. Johnson's distribution label Numero Group stated that he was "nearly in tears" after finding out the song was on Watch the Throne, having previously removed it from multiple monetized websites. [3] Numero Group had previously attempted to clear the song when it was a bonus track on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, stating that three weeks before the album was set to release, they received an email requesting its immediately clearance. "After a little negotiating, we came to a price and a verbal agreement. (...) Paperwork to confirm all of this was to arrive for counter signature. Weeks passed. Then months. No deluxe version appeared in the market place". Numero Group repeatedly attempted to contact the business affairs department of Def Jam regarding the absence of "The Joy", but were unable to get a hold of them. [3]

Rock, the tracks main producer, clarified he was not responsible for the sampling of "Different Strokes", posting to Twitter: "Just to clear the air about WTT, i never sampled that syl johnson record,if u sample syl u gotta show him sum respect and clear the sample." [3]

The lawsuit was settled in May 2012 for an undisclosed amount of money. [19] [20]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. [13]

Recording

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ Barshad, Amos (2010-07-09). "Is This the Track List for Kanye's New Album?". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  2. 1 2 Perpetua, Matthew (2011-10-18). "Syl Johnson Sues Kanye, Jay-Z". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Horowitz, Steven. "Pete Rock Addresses Syl Johnson Lawsuit Over Jay-Z & Kanye West's "The Joy"". www.hiphopdx.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  4. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (2011-07-13). "Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Watch The Throne' Deluxe Tracklisting Revealed". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  5. ↑ Eustice, Kyle (2020-12-10). "Pete Rock Had No Idea JAY-Z Rapped On 'Watch The Throne' Bonus Cut 'The Joy' — Until Young Guru Called". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  6. 1 2 3 Petridis, Alexis (2011-08-11). "Jay-Z & Kanye West: Watch the Throne - review". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  7. ↑ Hardy, Caleb (2023-05-22). "How Kanye West Helped "Chipmunk Soul" Define An Era Of Hip-Hop". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  8. 1 2 Lilah, Rose (2016-01-08). "Top 5 Songs From Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Friday Series". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 2024-04-26. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  9. 1 2 "The 25 Best Kanye West Verses OF ALL TIME!!!". Complex. Archived from the original on 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  10. 1 2 Millard, Drew (2020-06-30). "Check out these 20 best Jay Z songs". Red Bull. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  11. ↑ Whittaker, Montrey (2010-10-30). "Kanye West - "The Joy" (feat. Pete Rock, Jay-Z, Curtis Mayfield & Kid Cudi) [G.O.O.D. Friday] - EARMILK". EARMILK. Archived from the original on 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  12. ↑ "The Design Evolution of Kanye West's Album Artwork". Complex. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  13. 1 2 Jay-Z; Kanye West (2011). Watch the Throne (PDF digital booklet). Roc-A-Fella Records.
  14. ↑ Dombal, Ryan. "Kanye West: "The Joy" [ft. Jay-Z, Pete Rock, Charlie Wilson, and Kid Cudi]". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2024-12-26. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  15. ↑ Singh, Amrit (2010-11-01). "Kanye West – "The Joy" (Feat. Pete Rock, Jay-Z, Charlie Wilson & Kid Cudi)". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  16. ↑ High, Kemet (2021-08-04). "Kanye West and Jay-Z's Most Essential Collaborations You Need to Hear". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on 2025-05-11. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  17. ↑ BJosephs. "Every Track on 'Watch the Throne,' Ranked". Complex. Archived from the original on 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  18. ↑ Michaels, Sean (2011-08-25). "Jay-Z and Kanye West facing lawsuit over Watch the Throne sample". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  19. ↑ "Kanye West and Jay-Z Settle Syl Johnson Lawsuit". Rolling Stone. 2012-03-12. Archived from the original on 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  20. ↑ Donahue, Bill (2024-08-08). "How Many Times Has Ye Been Sued Over Sampling? Here's Every Lawsuit". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.