| "On to The Next One" | |||||||||||
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| Single by Jay-Z featuring Swizz Beatz | |||||||||||
| from the album The Blueprint 3 | |||||||||||
| Released | December 15, 2009[1](US - Mainstream radio) January 12, 2010 (US - Urban + Rhythmic radio) April 12, 2010[2] (UK) |
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| Format | Airplay, Digital download | ||||||||||
| Recorded | 2009; Roc The Mic Studios, Oven Studios (New York City, New York) |
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| Genre | Hip hop, electronica, alternative hip hop | ||||||||||
| Length | 4:16 | ||||||||||
| Label | Roc Nation, Atlantic | ||||||||||
| Writer(s) | S. Carter, K. Dean, G. Auge, X. De Rosnay, J. Chaton | ||||||||||
| Producer | Swizz Beatz | ||||||||||
| Jay-Z singles chronology | |||||||||||
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"On to the Next One" is a single by American hip hop rapper Jay-Z, released as the fourth single from his studio album The Blueprint 3 on his Roc Nation label, also released as the fourth single in the United Kingdom after "Young Forever". It features guest vocals from producer and rapper Swizz Beatz.[3] The song has been frequently used for freestyles, notably by Crooked I, Bun B, and Red Cafe. The song contains a vocal sample of the words "under the spotlight" from the official Justice remix of "D.A.N.C.E.". The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 53rd Grammy Awards, making this, in total Jay-Z's 13th Grammy Award overall, and Swizz Beatz's first Grammy Award win. In addition, Jay-Z is the first artist to have all four singles from one album win six Grammy Awards in their respective category.
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The song was first performed at Jay-Z's "Answer the Call" benefit concert in Madison Square Garden on September 11, 2009. It was also performed in the UK on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on February 19, 2010.
Devin Chanda from Billboard magazine gave the song a positive review:
The music video was directed by Sam Brown and was filmed in November 2009.[5] The video premiered on January 1, 2010 on New Year's Eve with Carson Daly. Although it was uploaded on YouTube on December 31, 2009,[6] it has been called the first music video of the decade, though its New Year's Eve upload date contradicts that title.[7][8]
The video is highly surreal. It appears in black and white, and the people, symbols, and characters in the video seem to be wearing black and white colors to coincide with the video.[9] There are split second scenes while there are somewhat of an abundance of biblical references in it. Throughout the video, there are crucifixes, angelic symbols, a skull reminiscent of Damien Hirst's famous sculpture For the Love of God and often Baphomet. During part of the music video,the music stops, and the audience sees producer Swizz Beatz with his back to them as he seemingly makes the symbol with his coat by raising his hands. There is a cameo appearance by Colin Bailey, better known as Drums of Death, who is known for his skull face paint. In the video, Bailey appears to be perplexed, confused, and/or mad. At approximately three minutes and thirty nine seconds into the video, there are two bullets on either side of a crucifix. Rapper Young Jeezy also makes a cameo in the video.
"On to the Next One" first debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 28 March 2010 at #98. The following week, the single climbed 15 places to #83. On 11 April 2010, the single climbed a further 20 places to its current peak of #63. The single has also managed to climb the UK R&B Chart to its current peak of #24, on the 18th April the single has climbed into the UK Top 40 at number 38, marking Jay-Z's fourth consecutive Top 40 hit from The Blueprint 3.
| Chart (2010) | Peak Position[10] |
|---|---|
| Canadian Hot 100 | 58 |
| UK Singles Chart | 38 |
| UK R&B Chart | 13 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 37 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 9 |
| U.S. Billboard Rap Songs | 5 |
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