Avg Rating: 
4.2 ( 35 total votes )
Jay-Z - History ft. Tony Williams
Artist: Jay-Z
Featuring: Tony Williams
Producer: Kanye West
Album: The Blueprint 3
Label: Roc Nation/Universal Music Group
Ever since Common said, “I Used to Love H.E.R.” back in ‘94, hip-hop has been rife with records using romantic relationships as symbolic of larger concerns (see: Twista‘s For One Night and Freeway‘s Baby Back (The Block)). On his latest record, Jay-Z talks about victory as if it were a woman; in his pursuit, he must deal with the possibilities of defeat and short-lived successes. In the end, however, Hova snatches it up and creates a child… its name is History. Contributing to the song’s epic feel is none other than Kanye West, who utilizes some classic samples and G.O.O.D. Music artist Tony Williams. Jazzed about Barack Obama’s election, the vibe of the record is simple: “victory is finally ours.” History is set to be included on Jay-Z’s Def Jam finale, The Blueprint 3, which currently has no set release date.
This song first appeared on the
Top Hip Hop / R&B Chart
on November 24, 2008
Listen to More: Jay-Z , Tony Williams Written by Burmy
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 434 |
Rating:
KANYE CRAFTS ANOTHER EPIC BEAT FOR JAY-Z TO FLOW NICELY OVER,I KNEW THEIR WUD BE MORE OBAMA ELECTION SONGS TO COME AND THIS IS A DECENT EFFORT
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Hova, nuff said
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 130 |
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Jay Z with another great song. I never get tired of him
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 475 |
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Damn. Another great track. Jay-Z is the best dead or alive. I don't care how much hype Wayne gets, Jay has dropped more classics than anyone else in the music's history. Looking forward to the Blueprint III.
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 1622 |
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The beginning of this sounds like it can be an official national anthem for a country LOL! Man I gotta say...Kanye's production is BANANAS! If you take out the 808 it doesn't even sound like a beat for a hip hop song, that just shows the kind of element Kanye is in right now. He's on another planet (along with Wayne). Also- Jigga does it big on here, this flow is sooo perfect for the track. I love how he made a song around the election and stuff without even mentioning a word of politics or the name OBAMA at all. Goes to show how creative he is and how this one stands out. Perfected track right here, 5/5.
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 433 |
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Once again, another great beat from Kanye, I only wish the lyrics were better.
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Kanye has some serious beat skills, as for Hov...uhhh same ol same.
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker |
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This is a definition of a classic. I love the production by Kanye West and the sample and the hook is perfect for the song. Jay-Z isnt that good on this but his symbolism and the way he uses a child as history is creative. Great beat, production and message. Jay-Z is one of the best. Classic right here!!
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2130 |
Rating:
I'm glad Tony Williams is going to get more shine this new year, though I feel he could have a better job vocally. I've heard him do way better on records (We Major, for example). It seems like he doesn't match the epic feel because he seems boring when the hook comes back in after some epic sounding Jigga verses. With that being said, in my opinion, if John Legend was on this hook, it would an INSTANT CLASSIC, NO HANDS ASKED, QUESTIONS DOWN! I really hope they reconsider that and get John on the record for the album instead. I'm not hating on Tony, cuz I like him as an artist, but I just felt he only hurt this track, instead of helped it. Aside from that though, the production is off the chains! Kanye IS on another planet right now, no longer just making HIP HOP, but making MUSIC period. The people hating are just going to miss out. Right now I'm an epic track addict! This is way better than Jockin Jay-Z. I still felt something is missing to make this an absolute classic.
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2281 |
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So any guesses on what label Jay will be releasing his next LP on? I gotta agree with MH I would have loved to hear John on the hook. Tony doesn't really capture the soul on here for me. However the song is great. Kanye delivers a triumphant track here. You know what would be dope? A surprise appearance by President Elect Barack Obama in the video for this.
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1309 |
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Production and vocals are perfect! But Jay-Z’s flow gets repetitive after a while. Still, the concept/lyrics and overall effort is way above average.
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11633 |
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Great timing on this record, hopefully it will generate some more excitement for Hova's new project...never thought I would ever say that, haha.
BDF44 - Jay's next album will be off his Live Nation deal. MH - This is MUCH better than JOCKIN, agreed. I am so impressed... with all this great feedback. Keep it up, everyone. 
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 75 |
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Very nice beat indeed, but I swear I've heard Jay using very similar metaphor schemes, maybe in "Hello Brooklyn 2"? Anyone else feel the same?
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 314 |
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Lovin the Kanye beat...i agree with MH that if you hatin' on Ye and his new sounds you missing out cause dude is a musical genius, you dont become a genius without trying out new things and not being afraid to fail...Jay is Jay, lyrically when does he not bring it? Although i must say (and i'm sure i'm gonna get heat for it) i dont think he's the best rapper alive...3.5 stars mainly for the production
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
it won't play on me either
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker |
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This song is off the hook!
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 11633 |
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FIXED. Sorry, everyone!
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 3210 |
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Oh my God Kanye surpassed himself with this song...production is amazing, smooth, energetic and sweet, a good sample choice! Jay Z's flow is great and Tony Williams sounds really good...to me this is a classic! And with this last song I want to thank DjBooth for the wonderful songs they offered today (and everyday of course)
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 312 |
off topic...i know "swagger like us" has become the next A MILLIE..but yall need to put chamillionaire's "swagger like us" flow on djbooth quick its spreadin like a forest fire down here in dallas..mixtape messiah IV!!!!!!!!! FLAME
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 87 |
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this is slick!!! Hov is the 2nd best rapper, behind Biggie of course.
Kanye does his thang on the production side of this track! John L would have killed this!! |
| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
This track has an epic feel to it. Great production from Kanye West. Jay-Z fits nicley with this beat and Tony Williams sounds good.
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 54 |
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The lyrics are on @*#$! point. Listen to them before you judge..pay attention! Sounds different than whats out today and I appreciate Jay not being afraid to use something not Auto-Tuned! ;) And I'm glad Kanye is still makin good music....
RHYTHMX RATING: 2 Blunts Up! |
| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 87 |
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it's gonna be a classic!! just need John Legend on the sing parts though!
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 360 |
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really good. nothing else to say; might be classic track, cuz jay-z is that good, haven't decided yet. not quite feeling it, thou, so it's a strong 4.25
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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sick jay z, cant wait for the blueprint
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| Posted on Nov 10, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
hott song and i love obama but these rappers are going to get taxed and thy do not even know it. they all make over 250,000 so keep advocating jay
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| Posted on Nov 11, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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What can i say.. HOV is the greatest.. Kanye is a Beat Genius like real shit, i dont know anybody who hits da booth then makes beats like dis guy.. I'm feelin the whole trac tho, also big ups to Tony Williams
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| Posted on Nov 11, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this is pure inspiration. Kanye is a beast, both Kanye and Jay continue to grow and change after so many years in the game which is a true sign of greatness.
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| Posted on Nov 11, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 452 |
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Smooth. The difference between Jay and other rappers is he can do pop rap, while having content at the same time. Production by Ye is strong as always.
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| Posted on Nov 11, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 1309 |
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Damn, Jay-Z doesn't even get a quarter of the comments Soulja Boy gets... s'up with that Djbooth?!? Is Hov loosin it or are we loosin our minds?
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| Posted on Nov 11, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 87 |
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fr3shboi88, you must be a youngin! let me skool you real quick homeboi, not every rapper makes 250,00!! real talk!
if you beleive that, then your as foolish as them rappers who sign crazy retarded contracts and get f*cked!! |
| Posted on Nov 12, 2008 |
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Tastemaker |
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Definitely feeling this!!!!
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| Posted on Nov 12, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 78 |
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I wasn't looking forward to the Blueprint 3 but after this kinda changed my mind. A good prodution by Kanye and classic flow by Jigga. Not a bad vocals either
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| Posted on Nov 12, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 131 |
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Sick. Kanye's production is off the hooks, oh man..
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| Posted on Nov 13, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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cool song
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| Posted on Nov 19, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
whats good j im felling this one keep it up obama is whats good this song it rell
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| Posted on Nov 20, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
whats good j im felling this one keep it up obama is whats good this song it rell
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| Posted on Nov 20, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Classic joint....
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| Posted on Dec 01, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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...R U SeRiOuS...?!?!!
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| Posted on Dec 03, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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HIS LYRICS IS SO DIVERSED ANOTHER REASON Y HE'S THE GREATEST
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| Posted on Dec 17, 2008 |
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| Posted on Dec 20, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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dis song da shit n wen i say da shit i mean dis it jayz always kill it- but brooklynn niggas way cocky tho
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| Posted on Jun 03, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 13 |
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Kanye is a beast as far as his beats and HOVA killed it
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| Posted on Nov 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 8863 |
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So deep this? song so deep.
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| Posted on Sep 24, 2012 |
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