H•A•M
"H•A•M" is a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, released as the first single from their collaboration album Watch the Throne. It debuted at #23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was released as a digital download on iTunes on January 11, 2011. It was produced by Lexus "Lex Luger" Lewis and Kanye West.[1] . It was released to Australian radio on January 17, 2011.[2]. It was released on Urban radio in the U.S. on January 25, 2011.[3]
Reception
Fellow rapper and producer, Swizz Beatz commented positively on the song, saying, "I think that those being both of my friends, and knowing that people can team up on such a high caliber level — as musicians, as rappers, as friends, as peers — I think it's super positive, and I think that if more of the industry did moves like this it would be a better place for everybody."[4] "H•A•M" has received mixed reviews from critics. The song received a three out of five star review from Rolling Stone.[5] Kevin O'Donnell of Spin praised the song by saying, "Kanye's latest, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, was the most epic album of 2010 — and the rapper's ambitions haven't eased up one bit here. The track morphs into the weirdest sounding opera ever, with a female singing window-shattering trills over a gospel piano progression and the song's hard-hitting beat."[6]
Charts
On January 19, 2011, "H•A•M" made its debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 23 and on the US Billboard Hot Digital Songs at number 10, with digital sales of 125,000 units.[7]
Remixes
Busta Rhymes made a remix to the song. Roscoe Dash also did a freestyle to it for the intro to his "Dash Effect" Mixtape.[19] Also freestyles have been made by Lupe Fiasco,[20] Lil' Kim,[21] Chingy, 40 Cal, Papoose, Emilio Rojas, Ace Hood and XV (who renamed the song "Heroes Amongst Men").[22]
References