| "Encore" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Jay-Z | |
| from the album The Black Album | |
| Released | November 14, 2003 |
| Recorded | 2003 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:11 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Kanye West |
"Encore" is a hip-hop song from Jay-Z's The Black Album. It features guest vocals by John Legend, Don Crawley, GLC and Kanye West. The song was released by Roc-A-Fella Records and produced by West for Konman Productions.
"Encore" received much popularity in 2004 when it was mixed with Linkin Park's hit single " Numb" on the mash-up album Collision Course as " Numb/Encore", which went on to win a Grammy Award.
Background
The Black Album was touted by Jay Z as his last album before he retired from rap music. He cited a perceived lack of competition as reason for his retirement, stating "The game ain't hot. I love when someone makes a hot album and then you've got to make a hot album. I love that. But it ain't hot." [1] Many critics doubted the longevity of Jay Z's retirement, and Ryan Schrieber of Pitchfork speculated that the retirement declarations could constitute "an elaborate publicity stunt." [2] Lyrically, "Encore" deals with these themes and addresses rumors of a post-retirement career. Critic Rob Mitchum wrote of the song that "it's a little hard to take Jay's claims of retirement at face value when... ("Encore") makes reference to 'when I come back like Jordan wearing the 45.'" [2]
The song was first released as the fourth track on Jay Z's The Black Album. It gained popularity when it was mixed with Linkin Park's song " Numb." The subsequent track won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the Grammy Awards of 2006. [3]
"Encore" was also released as the B-side on a 12" vinyl with " Dirt off Your Shoulder." The 12" includes the LP version, radio edit, and instrumental version of both songs. [4]
Song information
"Encore" features vocals by John Legend, Don Crawley, GLC and Kanye West. The song was released by Roc-A-Fella Records and produced by West for Konman Productions.
The production samples the trumpet introduction to John Holt's cover of " I Will" by The Beatles, therefore there is a Lennon–McCartney songwriting credit on the song. [5]
Reception
Al Shipley of Complex wrote that "Encore" "is perhaps the ultimate Black Album cut," [6] while critic Dimas Sanfiorenzo called the track "probably one of the happiest songs of Hov's career." [7]
Credits and personnel
- Produced by Kanye West.
- Recorded by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton at Baseline Studios in New York City, and at Record Plant Studios in Daytona Beach Florida.
- Mixed by Corey Cuomo and Jimmy Douglass.
- Additional vocals by Kanye West, Don Crawley, John Legend and GLC.
- Written by Jay-Z.
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard) [8] | 6 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard) [9] | 30 |
| US Hot Rap Songs ( Billboard) [10] | 22 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States ( RIAA) [11] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
References
- ^ "MUSIC; Superstardom Is Boring: Jay-Z Quits (Again)". The New York Times. November 16, 2003. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
- ^ a b "Jay-Z". Pitchfork.
- ^ "Past Winners Search". The GRAMMYs.
- ^ "Jay-Z – Dirt off Your Shoulder / Encore". Discogs.
- ^ "The Black Album credits". Tidal. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- ^ Al Shipley. "Jay-Z "Encore" (2003) – The Evolution of Kanye West's Production Before "The College Dropout" – Complex". Complex.
- ^ "A Track-By-Track Review Of Jay Z's "The Black Album" Ten Years Later – Global Grind". Global Grind.
- ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- ^ "American single certifications – Jay-Z – Encore". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Paul McCartney wrote the song himself, although credit is given to also John Lennon per the Lennon–McCartney partnership.
