the.com/watch the throne
two rappers made a victory lap sound like a coronation, and nobody complained.
means a 2011 collaborative album by jay-z and kanye west built entirely on maximalist flexing and lush, samples-heavy production.
from the title nods to the idea of guarding a hip-hop crown while sitting on it, recorded in luxury hotels across the world during a run of pure creative excess.
recording locationsmade in hawaii, paris, sydney, and australia hotels
chart debutopened at number one on the billboard 200
grammy winsno thanks despite three nominations, oddly shut out
sample flexotis sampled otis redding without clearing it first
for instance
niggas in paris — jay and kanye played it 12 times straight live in 2011
otis — built entirely around a chopped otis redding sample, no hook needed
made in america — features frank ocean, later became a festival name