Avg Rating: 
3.3 ( 89 total votes )
Kanye West - H.A.M.
Artist: Kanye West
Featuring: Jay-Z
Producer: Lex Luger
Album: Watch the Throne
Label: Def Jam/IDJMG
When an actor gets really into a performance, he or she is often said to be “hamming it up.” Although the title of the first official release off Kanye West & Jay-Z‘s forthcoming collaborative set is actually a reference to the fact that the collaborators go as “Hard as A Motherf*cker,” the “over-the-top” connotation is appropriate – in the category of epic lead singles, this one ranks right up there with Power. Lex Luger mans the mixing board here, serving up a banging arpeggiated-synth groove as ‘Ye and Hove demonstrate precisely why they’re considered two of the game’s heaviest hitters, dropping line after line of larger-than-life braggadocio and trash talk. But that’s not all – not by a long shot. After building to a choral climax of Carmina Burana-esque proportions, the record segues into a stirring, piano-accompanied operatic duet before rocketing into its crashing finale. So, as Bill Shakespeare might ask, what does all this sound and fury signify? And, perhaps more importantly, is the end result dope? We report, you decide. Watch the Throne is tentatively scheduled for a March 1 release, which means we’ve got at least a couple more singles on the way. Keep it locked.
This song first appeared on the
Top Hip Hop / R&B Chart
on January 17, 2011
Listen to More: Kanye West , Jay-Z , Hitmaker, Club Written by richard
More From Kanye West
Submit a Review and/or Rating
Member Reviews and Ratings
Showing 50 of 89 Ratings. See All Ratings
|
DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11633 |
Rating:
It's far from a classic and its only okay. That, my friends, is not how I should be describing the new Ye and Jay single. Part of the problem is expectations; they were way way too high. However, with talent this great, that comes with the territory.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 288 |
Rating:
I agree this is just okay IMO.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
definatly a banger!
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 128 |
Rating:
Def not the beat that is the problem but Yeezy being my fav rapper of all time does not deliver good enough lyrically.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 188 |
Rating:
Uh....the beat goes HAM. thats about it
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker |
Rating:
I had great expectations for this track and I'm sure everbody else did. After successful hits like "The Joy" and "Monster", who wasn't? They tried to ride the hot hand by linking up with the rising producer Lex Luger. This beat is more suitable for Waka, Rick Ross or Weezy. All things considered, Kanye sounds wack but Jay-Z held it down on this overpowered production. A few listens to that Hova verse and you can tell he is hungrier than ever to prove that he is still one of the top MC's in the game.
"I played chicken with a Mack truck Y'all @*#$! would've been moved I swam waters with Great Whites Y'all @*#$! would've been chewed I hustled with vultures late nights Y'all @*#$! would've been food" Add in a controversial line that could be mistaken for a shot towards Weezy and we have Jay-Z at its peak that we have not heard for a while. Kanye could not handle this beat, bottom line. He lacks energy and his lyrics complement better on a Pete Rock or softer type of production. Can't complain with the production, Lex Luger comes hard. The opera ending was really unneccessary. That was obviously thrown in there at the request of Kanye and I feel like he over did it and it does not match the rest of the production. In conclusion, solid track that I will throw in rotation because of Jay's verse and the hard-hitting production but a huge dissapointment considering who we got here. Still expect big things from one of the most anticipated albums of the year, Watch The Throne. |
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
I expected something classic and godly, but I think that is the problem. I set an expectation that wasn't going to be met. I still think this is a banger tho. Hard lines and a great beat.The CD is going to be amazing, but this song just didn't feel classic to me. But it is a song I'm gonna throw in my rotation with My Dark Twisted Fantasy.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 604 |
Rating:
I like it...the beat is crazy! I dont think Kanye really brought his A-game to his verse, which is a bit of a let down. Jay killed it! Interested to hear what else Watch The Throne will offer us
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 241 |
Rating:
beat is nice but not Kanye style not sayin he can reach out the box but got damn...what happened to the passionate Kanye...nigga all ego now...
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 144 |
This is the BMF (Blowing MOney Fast) Sequel and llike most signals it is not that great but I won't rate it until I hear it a few times.
My expectations were really high... |
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 31 |
Rating:
Cant wait! HAM though? Really? its a silly annogram, i think! Sick production!
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1337 |
Rating:
This is NOT on the same level as "Power", its hard though.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Kanye was good, but Hov was the highlight for me.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 544 |
Rating:
Holly s**t! This song is crazy.
First of all the production was nuts. Lex did his thing and you can hear Kanye's influence with the opera and piano in it but that totally upgraded it from what it would of probalby been. Kanye though was a complete dissapointment. He sounded lazy and his flow was off. Jay on the other hand went hard. Loved that "baby's money" line, who knows if it was aimed at Lil Wayne or Birdman but as arrogant as they both are they needed it! The album is going to be some mind blowing sh*t. Watch the throne! |
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 27 |
Rating:
That's not a kanye fitted bass line/beat. sounds too much like somethin rick ross would hit. but the lyrical is good.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
I agree with Z. This is gonna be like Drake's Thank Me Later all over agen. We xpect heaven from earthlings. With that said, it still could hav been better. Its jus good as is. But damn, the PRODUCTION. Can't believe the dude is 19!!
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 687 |
Rating:
That line was no doubt aimed at Baby for his stupid claims in this interview. He said that Wayne is the best cuz Wayne makes the most money.
3:36 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-EuvwT2daM&feature=related F*cking idiot. That tatoo ink must be seeping into his brain. |
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 206 |
Rating:
'Ye was the only let-down here; Hov went HAM on this, and so did Lex's beat, even though it sounds way too much like his other beats, as usual.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
could have used one more strong verse. song is too short. also cut that dramatic opera shit out at the end, just wack to me. needs more of the beat and one more killer verse.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1305 |
Rating:
It is wat it is. Not everything it could have been though. The crazy production from Lex gives it a good look though.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Definitely won't be my favorite track on the album, hopefully, but this is a rotation track for sure. Probably won't skip over it too much when the CD does come out.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
TIRED OF LEX LUGER .. that sound is so Exhuasted.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 242 |
Rating:
WHAT THE PHUCK, I guess he gave everything he had for The Dark Twisted Fantasy
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1142 |
Rating:
How could anybody sound good on this bs of beat? Only 3 for effort.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 194 |
Rating:
okay i read some of the other post and for the most part a lot of you all felt it was just okay......with that being said i totally disagree(maybe its a south thang) but if they were to drop a radio version of this track this would definately be played over and over and over okay you get the picture so this track to me deserve at least 4 stars!
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Ummm...NO! This is not the bizness...it's decent when you throw in the names Jay-Z and Ye' but as a whole u can throw this out with the spoiled milk. We're just so accustom to these type of songs and forget what actual rap/hiphop sounds like. You expect this from Wacka or Gucci but this is a smack in the face to the quality and lyrical standard set by these two MCs. Jay did nice on most of his verse but still doesn't make up for the whole song. Hope this is just a pre-game record not a for real single. Any REAL Ye' and Jay-Z should feel the same....if you look at it from an artistry point of view.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 70 |
Rating:
Its forgettable to me.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 16 |
Rating:
The production is just above terrible on this. Jay-Z and Kanye obviously know what they are doing but I would have left Luger beats for the Rick Rosses of the world. Listening to the beat I felt like I was watching a mini-climax scene in one of the Saw movie sequels.
As expected Jay-Z comes out of this with the most luster but I don't see how this is 1st single material. This is just ok and that is not because of expectations. I'm cautious on anything involving Mr. West after the 808s and Heartbreaks debacle. |
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1069 |
Rating:
This is a banger fro sure. Better than most but not what you would expect from tow jaggernauts like Jay and Yeezy. Lex Luther production is really nice, I think Kanye had some input in it.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2476 |
Rating:
Obviously we expect nothing but classics from these guys, but I don't have as big of a problem with this as soon seem to. After all the super serious Dark Twisted Fantasy material, it's good to hear Kanye back on his aggressive/punchline flow, and Jay kills the beat.
Unfortunately, after Good Friday tracks like these are just going to sound like mediocre Good Friday releases. Ye set the bar so high for himself, everything else comes up short.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 7 |
Rating:
The dong and the beat are great, but that small high-pitched sound is kinda annoying
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Kanye verse was mediocre but jay's verse is sick!!! He definitely carried Kanye on this track!!!
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Ahhh, J still kills it but whatever on the song as a whole...
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 5 |
Rating:
Ye and Jay deliver nice flows and the beat is far from average. I like the way they try to give us something new and apart from the ordinary
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1805 |
Rating:
Ok, first off the production is absolutly amazing from Lex Luger. Its one of the sickest production valus i have seen in a long time. As for Kanye and Jay-Z.... They came to work and absolutly murdered this record. Kanye's verse was straight fire. And Jay's was even better. They really drop an amazing record right here. The only reason there is so many low ratings to this song is cuz everyone exspected something different from them. And the greatness of this is overwhelming them of seeing the absolute legendary "H.A.M." record from Kanye West and Jay-Z. This is way better than i exspected it to be. This is an instant classic.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 492 |
Rating:
Records like this typically arent my favorite but this kinda starts out garbage but it gets better as it goes. starts a 2 and ends a 4 so ill go 3.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 78 |
Rating:
Kanye what happened?
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
This beat is ridin!!! Not sure what was up wit Kanye tho.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 399 |
Rating:
the beat is really annoying.
|
| Posted on Jan 12, 2011 |
Showing 50 of 89 Ratings. See All Ratings
FEATURED ARTIST
FEATURED ALBUM
TOP 20 MUSIC CHARTS
The top rated new Hip Hop & R&B songs on DJBooth, updated every Sunday.
