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The Story of O.J.
JAŸ-Z
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- Album
- 4:44
- Released
- 2017
- Genres
- east coast hip hop, hip hop, rap
- Length
- 3:52
- Tempo
- 166 BPM
- Label
- Roc Nation / Jay-Z
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About this song
The song takes its title from O.J. Simpson, the former NFL running back who was tried for the killing of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, and the title also plays on the 1954 French novel The Story of O. The track samples Nina Simone's "Four Women," with producer No I.D. building the haunting beat from three separate elements of that song. Jay-Z also referenced O.J. in his earlier song "Roc Boys."
What it's about
The song uses the O.J. Simpson trial, and the racial tensions and public scandal surrounding it, as a lens on the struggles of Black Americans. Its chorus draws on Simone's four women to suggest that a person's Blackness matters more than wealth or skin tone in a racist society.
Fun facts
- Samples “Four Women by Nina Simone” and “Four Women by Reflection Eternal”.
- Sampled in 10 other songs, like “LIL' GHETTO BOY (Spread Your Wings) by Bus (7st)”.
- Covered once, including “The Story of Northern by Stronkgod”.
- Written by JAŸ-Z, No I.D., Gene Redd Jr., Jimmy Crosby and Nina Simone.
- Produced by No I.D. and JAŸ-Z.