Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Wikipedia

Slow Jamz

This article is about the Twista song. For the song by Quincy Jones, see Slow Jams. For other uses, see Slow Jam.

"Slow Jamz" is a song by American rapper Twista together with the American rapper and producer Kanye West and American singer Jamie Foxx. Produced by West, it was released in November 2003 through Atlantic and Roc-A-Fella Records, as the lead single from Twista's fourth studio album Kamikaze (2004), and the second single from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). The song was written by Twista and West, with additional writing credits going to Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the sampling of Luther Vandross' cover of Dionne Warwick's 1964 song "A House Is Not a Home". Containing genres of hip hop, pop rap, R&B, and soul, the song's lyrics reference slow jam artists and describes the role of lovermen.

"Slow Jamz"
An abandoned blue hallway is shown with Twista's name in white paint, and the song title in white text. The parental advisory sticker is placed on the bottom-right corner.
Single by Twista and Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx
from the album Kamikaze and The College Dropout
B-side"I Know"
ReleasedNovember 10, 2003 (2003-11-10)
StudioCRC (Chicago)
Genre
Length
  • 3:32 (Kamikaze version)
  • 5:16 (The College Dropout version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Kanye West
Twista singles chronology
"Get It Wet"
(1997) 		"Slow Jamz"
(2003) 		"Overnight Celebrity"
(2004)
Kanye West singles chronology
"Through the Wire"
(2003) 		"Slow Jamz"
(2003) 		"All Falls Down"
(2004)
Jamie Foxx singles chronology
"Experiment"
(1994) 		"Slow Jamz"
(2003) 		"Gold Digger"
(2005)
Alternative cover
Audio
"Slow Jamz" (Kamikaze version) on YouTube
"Slow Jamz" (The College Dropout version) on YouTube

Upon release, "Slow Jamz" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, which was the first number one song for Twista, West, and Foxx. The song was positioned at number 16 on the 2004 year-end chart in the United States. It also peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, and placed at number 47 on the 2004 year-end chart in the country. The song received a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). "Slow Jamz" received a nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in 2005, and was nominated for Best Collaboration at the 4th BET Awards in 2004.

Background and development

edit

While hosting a party which included Sean Combs,[3] Missy Elliott, the Neptunes, and Jay-Z, Jamie Foxx first encountered Kanye West, who was recovering from a car crash which shattered his jaw. West performed a freestyle rap which impressed Foxx, and later invited him to his recording studio to record "Slow Jamz". Foxx originally belted the song's hook which consisted of the lyrics, "She said she want some Marvin Gaye, some Luther Vandross".[4] West ridiculed his singing by insisting that the song was hip hop instead of R&B,[5] while Foxx scoffed at his chances of success in the music industry. In a 2017 interview with Power 106, Foxx noted that his desperation to crossover to music led him to host parties with musicians he invited, hoping they would eventually collaborate.[3]

Despite breaking a world record for the fastest rap on the Guinness World Records in 1992 by pronouncing 598 syllables in 55 seconds,[6] Twista questioned the future of his rap career when various rappers began mimicking his "fast-paced style", such as the Poor Righteous Teachers and Fu-Schnickens. The imitation of other rappers, as well as struggles in his own career, forced him to take a job in telemarketing and feature in several guest appearances.[7] In early 2003, Gee Roberson received a job at Atlantic Records. He originally established the company venture Hip Hop Since 1978 with Roc-A-Fella Records before leaving for Atlantic, with West being the first artist signed. As an artist signed to Atlantic, Twista needed a single, which allowed Roberson to include West's song "Slow Jamz" on both Twista's fourth studio album Kamikaze (2004), and West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004).[8]

Composition

edit

"Slow Jamz" is a pop rap,[9] R&B,[10] hip hop and soul song,[11][12] which pays tribute to previous old-school R&B productions.[13][14][15] It samples Vandross' 1981 cover of Dionne Warwick's 1964 ballad "A House Is Not a Home",[10][16][17] with its sped-up use in the song being described as "chipmunk soul".[18][19] The song utilizes a "silky smooth" string accompaniment, in addition to Twista's "lightning-fast" rap.[20] Two versions of the song were released; the version included on The College Dropout added two verses by Foxx.[21] American singer Tracie Spencer is credited as a backing vocalist on the song.[22]

Foxx croons in the chorus over a "speedy drum".[23] After West's verse concluded, American actress and comedian Aisha Tyler appeared on the track to convince him to "do it faster, baby, do it faster!" over a speaker. West responded with the self-deprecating sentence, "Damn, baby, I can't do it that fast, but I know someone who can… Twista!", which segues to the latter's verse.[18] Twista frenetically rhymes with "humorous lyrics" on top of a "laid-back groove",[7][24] as he name-dropped several artists with a staccato delivery.[13] Within six beats and six seconds, he rapped the lyric, "No matter how much of a thug you see / I still spit it like it's R&B / Come to the club with me / And with some Luther come on / I hope you're feelin me / You'll still-a be in love with me".[18] Writing for The Village Voice, Jon Caramanica noted that West's slow rap allowed Twista's fast rap to complete the song's "narrative arc".[11] The lyrics allude to several lovermen who are "supreme in their seduction means",[25] and reference past slow jam artists such as Gaye, Vandross and Anita Baker,[20] in addition to R&B groups from the 1980s through puns.[18]

Artists referenced in "Slow Jamz"

edit

List adapted from Vulture and Vinyl Me, Please.[26][27]

Critical reception

edit

Barrie Examiner staff writers stated that "Slow Jamz" is a "tribute to old-school R&B love songs", and highlighted West's line as an instant classic, "She got a light-skinned friend look like Michael Jackson / got a dark-skinned friend look like Michael Jackson".[14] Caramanica praised the audacious execution of the "low-concept" song, stating that Foxx's inclusion on the hook should have been a car crash on paper, but was assisted by West's "keen ear for melody and near perfect sample selection".[11] In a review of Kamikaze, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writers called it a "hilarious bedroom song".[28] Writing for PopMatters, Matt Cibula commended "Slow Jamz" for being "one of the finest rap singles in many years". He described West's verse as "swagger", and was impressed with how Twista added more syllables in his verse than other rappers such as Lyrics Born and Busta Rhymes.[18] Soren Baker of Houston Chronicle stated that the song is a "crowning moment for Twista", and acknowledged that it "showcases his stunning delivery and flow patterns". He also referred to Foxx's chorus as "charmingly nostalgic".[29]

Baker additionally wrote in the Los Angeles Times that West's verse was "playful but unremarkable", but compared Twista's verse to a "lyrical tornado".[15] However, Pitchfork staff writer Sean Fennessey criticized Twista's involvement in a review of Kamikaze, stating that West overshadowed him on the song.[30] Writing for the same publication while reviewing The College Dropout, Rob Mitchum berated the song's extended version, which he described Foxx as "overkill" and Twista as "depleted". Mitchum concluded that it "[remained] the best getting-it-on song ever written about getting-it-on songs".[31]

Writing for Cleveland.com, Troy L. Smith ranked "Slow Jamz" on his list of 100 greatest rap songs since 2000 at number 74. He praised West's creative process of sampling the song, allowing Foxx to "go all out on the hook", and combining Twista's rhymes to create a "hip-hop soul masterpiece".[12] Pitchfork staff ranked the song at number 12 on its Top 50 Singles of 2004 list, writing that it was "the reverse Midas track of 2004" and a "choice musical meta-fiction [sic]".[32] Blender ranked "Slow Jamz" at number 327 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born, stating that it was "an old school celebration of [...] gettin' that booty!".[33]

Accolades

edit

"Slow Jamz" received several awards and nominations including; Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards,[34] R&B/Rap Collaboration of the Year at the 2004 Source Awards,[35] Best Collaboration at the 2004 MOBO Awards,[36] Best Collaboration at the 2004 BET Awards,[37] and Coolest Collabo at the 2004 Vibe Awards.[38]

Awards and nominations for "Slow Jamz"
Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2004 BET Awards Best Collaboration Nominated [37]
MOBO Awards Best Collaboration Nominated [36]
Source Awards R&B/Rap Collaboration of the Year Nominated [35]
T M H Honors Hottest Collab Single of the Year Nominated [39]
Favorite Ballad of the Year Nominated
Vibe Awards Coolest Collabo Nominated [38]
2005 ASCAP Pop Music Awards Most Performed Songs Won [40]
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards Award Winning Rap Songs Won [41]
Award Winning R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Won
47th Annual Grammy Awards Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominated [34]
Groovevolt Music and Fashion Awards Best Hip-Hop Song Collaboration - Duo or Group Nominated [42]

Commercial performance

edit

In the United States, "Slow Jamz" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated February 21, 2004, where it remained for 22 weeks.[43][44] It was the first number one song on the chart for Twista, West, and Foxx, the seventh for songwriter Burt Bacharach, and the fourth for songwriter Hal David.[45] The song debuted at the number three peak on the UK Singles Chart dated April 4, 2004, where it charted for 13 non-consecutive weeks.[46] It received a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), for sales and streams of over 400,000 equivalent-units in the United Kingdom.[47] In Australia, "Slow Jamz" debuted at number 32 on the ARIA Singles Chart dated April 4, 2004. It peaked at number 26 on the chart dated May 9, 2004, and remained for 10 weeks.[48] The song peaked at number 9 on the New Zealand Top 40 Singles Chart.[49]

Music video

edit

The music video shows a party; at first Jamie Foxx is seen buying records for the party, then it goes to the party where Kanye West and Twista are. It includes cameo appearances by Consequence, Aisha Tyler, John Legend, Mike Epps, and Common.[citation needed] While the video was being filmed, Twista stated that Foxx "kept the whole place live [sic]".[50] A second version of the music video was filmed in South Side, Chicago, but was unreleased.[51]

edit

British actor Riz Ahmed performed Twista's verse on the sixth season's first episode of American comedy-drama Girls on February 13, 2017.[52] Writing for NME, Sam Moore described his rendition as "near-flawless".[53]

Credits and personnel

edit

Credits adapted from the back cover of "Slow Jamz".[54]

Track listing

edit

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Certifications and sales for "Slow Jamz"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[77] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 10, 2003 Urban contemporary radio Atlantic [78]
January 26, 2004 Contemporary hit radio [79]
Australia March 22, 2004 CD [80]
United Kingdom March 29, 2004 [81]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "The Number Ones: Twista's "Slow Jamz" (Feat. Kanye West & Jamie Foxx)". November 23, 2022.
  2. ^ "Go behind the scenes as Twista records his Lifetime EP". Red Bull. February 14, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Arcand, Rob (December 17, 2017). "Watch Jamie Foxx Tell the Story of How Kanye West Helped Him Finally Break Through in the Music Industry". Spin. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  4. ^ "Jamie Foxx wasn't convinced Kanye West would become famous". Toronto Sun. June 16, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  5. ^ Bramesco, Charles (April 23, 2018). "The Wildest Stories Jamie Foxx Told at the Tribeca Film Festival". Vulture. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  6. ^ Hall, Ryan (December 7, 2011). "Rap artist Twista plans Great Falls show". Great Falls Tribune. p. M.3. ISSN 2378-850X.
  7. ^ a b "Twista rides 'Slow Jamz' to top of charts". Today. May 7, 2004. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  8. ^ Glickman, Simon (May 6, 2016). "Team Player: A Conversation With Maverick's Gee Robertson". Hits Daily Double. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "Rap". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 6, 2004. p. W-28. ISSN 1068-624X.
  10. ^ a b Endelman, Michael (January 30, 2004). "Who The #@!* Is...Twista?". Entertainment Weekly. No. 748. p. 100. ISSN 1049-0434.
  11. ^ a b c Caramanica, Jon (March 24, 2004). "Twista". The Village Voice. p. C88. ISSN 0042-6180.
  12. ^ a b Smith, Troy L. (August 24, 2017). "100 greatest rap songs since 2000". Cleveland.com. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Washington, Aaron (April 10, 2020). "Legendary Rapper Twista's Most Famous Verses". Red Bull. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Now for something completely... great". Barrie Examiner. August 7, 2004. p. B7. ISSN 0839-4164.
  15. ^ a b Baker, Soren (March 11, 2004). "Pop Music; Twista is touching down". Los Angeles Times. p. E.16. ISSN 0458-3035.
  16. ^ "A listenable history of Kanye West's samples". The Verge. August 20, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  17. ^ Abbott, Jim (February 26, 2004). "Twista Collaboration Has Some Fun Moments". Daily Press. p. D1.
  18. ^ a b c d e Cibula, Matt (February 13, 2004). "Twista: Kamikaze". PopMatters. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  19. ^ Bell, Max (February 15, 2020). "Watch Chicago rap legend Twista laying down breakneck rhymes in the studio". Red Bull. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Bartlett, Thomas (December 18, 2004). "Goodbye, pimps and hos; Pop music starts to look 'grown up' Conservatism or natural evolution?". Toronto Star. p. J13. ISSN 0319-0781.
  21. ^ Wallace, Riley (April 18, 2020). "10 Rap Songs You Forgot Went No. 1 On The Billboard 100". HipHopDX. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Diver, Mike (January 17, 2014). "College Dropouts: The Extras On Kanye's Debut". Clash. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  23. ^ "new music reviews; The un-Twista". San Antonio Express-News. February 6, 2004. p. 20H. ISSN 1065-7908.
  24. ^ Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (May 8, 2004). "13 is lucky for rapper Twista ; It took years, but Chicago native hits big with 'Slow Jamz'". The Columbian. p. D3. ISSN 1043-4151.
  25. ^ Capobianco, Ken (April 9, 2004). "The Motormouth Twista Plays It Fast And Furious". The Boston Globe. p. C.14. ISSN 0743-1791.
  26. ^ Thompson, Paul (January 15, 2016). "Every Pop-Culture Reference Kanye West Has Ever Made". Vulture. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  27. ^ Winistorfer, Andrew (July 12, 2016). "Ranking the 24 R&B Groups Mentioned On "Slow Jamz" – A Scientific Survey". Vinyl Me, Please. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  28. ^ Murray, Sonia; Marino, Nick; Harrison, Shane (January 27, 2004). "Twista turns to guests again". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E.1. ISSN 1539-7459.
  29. ^ Baker, Soren (February 15, 2004). "'Slow Jamz' races to the top / Twista builds future on new 'Kamikaze'". Houston Chronicle. p. 6. ISSN 1074-7109.
  30. ^ Fennessey, Sean (February 9, 2004). "Twista: Kamikaze Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  31. ^ Mitchum, Rob (February 20, 2004). "Kanye West: The College Dropout Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  32. ^ "Top 50 Singles of 2004". Pitchfork. December 30, 2004. p. 4. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  33. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". Blender. April 1, 2009. p. 4. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  34. ^ a b Brown, Preezy (January 28, 2019). "How Twista's 'Kamikaze' album launched him into stardom". Revolt. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  35. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (September 9, 2004). "Luda, G-Unit, Jay-Z Are Top Source Awards Nominees". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  36. ^ a b "Kanye West dominates Mobo list". BBC News. August 24, 2004. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  37. ^ a b "2004 BET Award Nominees". Canarsie Courier. May 20, 2004. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  38. ^ a b "Vibe Awards 2004". Hip Hop Galaxy. November 16, 2004. Archived from the original on November 3, 2006. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  39. ^ "The Winners for The 2004 T M H Honors". T M Hxone. April 27, 2005. Archived from the original on May 18, 2005. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  40. ^ "ASCAP Pop Awards 2005 - Most Performed Songs". ASCAP. May 20, 2005. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  41. ^ "2005 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards: Rap Songs". ASCAP. June 16, 2005. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
    "2005 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". ASCAP. June 16, 2005. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  42. ^ "05 GV Music & Fashion Awards Winners: Hip Hop". Groovevolt. March 1, 2005. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  43. ^ Waterfield, Sophia (June 8, 2019). "Kanye West's Birthday: His Best 10 Songs Ranked". Newsweek. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  44. ^ a b "Twista Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  45. ^ Bronson, Fred (February 21, 2004). "Chart Beat". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 8. p. 57.
  46. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  47. ^ a b "British single certifications – Twista – Slow Jamz". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  48. ^ a b "Twista feat. Kanye West & Jamie Foxx – Slow Jamz". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  49. ^ a b "Twista feat. Kanye West & Jamie Foxx – Slow Jamz". Top 40 Singles.
  50. ^ Harkness, Geoff (January 22, 2004). "Slowing down ; Fast-talking Twista jams with 'Slow'". Chicago Tribune. p. 29. ISSN 1085-6706.
  51. ^ Fleischer, Adam (March 3, 2016). "The Old Kanye Is Back In These Unreleased Clips Of An Alternate 'Slow Jamz' Video". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  52. ^ DeVille, Chris (February 13, 2017). "Watch Riz Ahmed Rap Twista's "Slow Jamz" Verse In The Girls Season Premiere". Stereogum. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  53. ^ Moore, Sam (February 13, 2017). "Watch Riz Ahmed rap Twista's verse from Kanye West's 'Slow Jamz' on 'Girls'". NME. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  54. ^ a b Slow Jamz (back cover). Twista. United Kingdom: Atlantic Records. 2004. 7567-88310-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  55. ^ Slow Jamz (back cover). Twista. Europe: Atlantic Records. 2004. 7567-88312-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  56. ^ Slow Jamz (back cover). Twista. Australia: Atlantic Records. 2004. 7567-8830-3122.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  57. ^ "Issue 745" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  58. ^ "Twista feat. Kanye West & Jamie Foxx – Slow Jamz" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  59. ^ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 16. April 17, 2004. p. 59.
  60. ^ "Twista feat. Kanye West & Jamie Foxx – Slow Jamz" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  61. ^ "Chart Track: Week 14, 2004". Irish Singles Chart.
  62. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  63. ^ "Twista feat. Kanye West & Jamie Foxx – Slow Jamz" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  64. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  65. ^ "Twista Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  66. ^ "Twista Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
  67. ^ "Twista Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  68. ^ "Twista Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  69. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2004". Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  70. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2004" (PDF). ChartsPlus. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  71. ^ "2004 Urban Top 30" (PDF). Music Week. January 22, 2005. p. 24. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  72. ^ "Year in Music & Touring: Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-23. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  73. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2004". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  74. ^ "Year in Music & Touring: Hot Rap Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-60. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  75. ^ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 22.
  76. ^ "Year in Music & Touring: Hot Rhythmic Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-75. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  77. ^ "American single certifications – Twista – Slow Jamz". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  78. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1529. November 7, 2003. p. 23. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  79. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1539. January 23, 2004. p. 22. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  80. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 22nd March 2004" (PDF). ARIA. March 22, 2004. p. 27. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  81. ^ "Reviews – Records Released 29.03.04". Music Week. March 20, 2004. p. 27.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Slow_Jamz&oldid=1261734964"