Kanye West

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Kanye West]
It was all good just a week ago, niggas feel theyself
And that Watch the Throne drop, niggas kill theyself
What niggas gon' do, Hov?
This the new crack, on a new stove
I'm in the two-door, true that, niggas telling me, "You back!"
Like a nigga ever left up out this bitch, huh?
And if life's a bitch, bet she suck my dick, huh
And I bet she fucked the whole clique, huh
By the way, nigga, you should fucking quit, nigga
Just forget it, you talk it, I live it
Like Eli, I did it, joke's on you, motherfucker and I get it, haha
No paper, ho, but you can have some more of me
Or-a-gy or are we speaking metaphorically?
Historically I'm kicking bitches out like Pam, nigga
Going HAM, nigga, me and Jigga
And a nigga still young, wanna have no kids
But I've been practicing with some actresses as bad as shit
Had a few white girls, asses flat as shit
But the head's so good, damn, a nigga glad he hit
Got 'em jumping out the building, watch out below
A million out the door

[Chorus: Kanye West]
I'm about to go HAM
Hard as a motherfucker, let these niggas know who I am
I'm about to go HAM
Hard as a motherfucker, let these niggas know who I am
[Verse 2: Jay-Z]
Fuck y'all mad at me for?
Y'all don't even know what I've been through
I played chicken with a Mack truck
Y'all motherfuckers woulda been moved
I swam waters with great whites
Y'all motherfuckers woulda been chewed
I hustled with vultures late nights
Y'all motherfuckers woulda been food
Fuck wrong with these dudes? Try to walk around in these shoes
See the shit I saw growing up
Then maybe you could take a peek at these boos
Niggas fantasize about the shit that I do daily
Like these rappers rap about all the shit that I do really
I'm like, "Really, half a billi,' nigga, really?" You got baby money
Keep it real with niggas, niggas ain't got my lady money
Watch the throne, don't step on our robe
Bad enough we let you step on our globe
When my nephew died, daddy dead
Nigga took the price on my uncle's head
Nobody called the cops as my uncle bled
So I feel like I would like to know my uncle's bread
Bow down, brother, pay homage
Don't spill hate all on my garments
Comme des Garçons, fuck yo' fresh
Head shots, nigga, fuck your vest
Fuck the pig, no pork on my fork
Peace, God, 'cause you know a nigga just went
[Chorus: Jay-Z]
HAM
Hard as a motherfucker, let these niggas know who I am
Yeah, I'm 'bout to go HAM
Hard as a motherfucker, let these niggas know who I am
Yeah, I'm 'bout to go HAM

[Outro]
Vivat rex in homine
Vivat rex in homine
Vivat rex in homine
Vivat rex in homine

Welcome to the world of JAY-Z and Kanye West – two of the biggest names in the hip-hop industry who collaborated to release the chart-topping album, Watch The Throne. The first single from this album, H·A·M, released on January 11, 2011, quickly gained popularity and became one of the favorites of hip-hop fans worldwide. The track is full of aggressive beats and powerful lyrics, which showcases the penchant for extravagant lifestyles that the two stars are known for.

About H·A·M

The song, H·A·M, is an acronym which stands for "Hard As a Motherf***er". It features boastful lyrics by both JAY-Z and Kanye West about their wealth, power, and success in the music industry. The song's production, by Lexus Lewis and Kanye West, features an orchestra combined with bold, in-your-face sounds to create a larger-than-life experience for the listener. The music video for the track, directed by Jason Goldwatch and Kanye West, was filmed in dark and dramatic settings that embody the song's tone.

The song starts with a sample from Frederic Rzewski's 'The People United Will Never Be Defeated!', which gives a symphonic feel to the track. As the music progresses, the critical sounds and booming bass create a high-energy atmosphere, giving JAY-Z and Kanye West ample opportunity to spit their fast and furious verses. Throughout the song, the artists effortlessly trade lines and build a storyline that glorifies their extravagant lifestyle and undeniable dominance in the hip-hop industry.

H·A·M's catchy chorus is marked by an automatic, repetitive vocal sample that accompanies JAY-Z’s proclamation of being king twice over. The song also features parts in which the rappers address their rivals in the industry, stating that they are on the top of their game and no one can match them. The use of "ham" in the song is also a nod to the culture of competition in the rap industry. It signals the appetite that exists in hip-hop to be the best and to be recognized as such, which is the essence of what the song represents.

The artwork for Watch The Throne including the H·A·M single cover was designed by Riccardo Tisci. The Italian fashion designer created an edgy and eye-catching design using a motif of a black and white engraved eagle. The eagle is a symbol of power and authority and is prevalent throughout the art covering. The artwork, in combination with the lyrical content, helped to create a distinctive brand for the album.

The song reached peak performance at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100, but this does not take away from its popularity and success. The track also went down in music history as a certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RiAA). The track's significance goes beyond chart performance, though, as its impact was felt globally, especially among fans of JAY-Z and Kanye West.

Conclusion

H·A·M remains one of the iconic songs from JAY-Z and Kanye West's collaborative album, Watch The Throne. The song is an unapologetic celebration of the two legends' luxury lives, as well as an ode to excellence, ambition, and friendship. From its grandiose sound to its explosive lyrics and captivating video, H·A·M showcases the artistic genius of both JAY-Z and Kanye West and has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the history of hip-hop.

• Release Date: January 11, 2011
• Artist: Kanye West