| "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
_(Jay-Z_single_-_cover_art).jpg) | ||||
| Single byJay-Z | ||||
| from the albumThe Blueprint | ||||
| Released | June 19, 2001 | |||
| Recorded | May 2001 | |||
| Studio | Baseline Studios (New York City) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:00 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Kanye West | |||
| Jay-Z singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" is thelead single from American rapperJay-Z's sixth albumThe Blueprint. Produced byKanye West, the song prominentlysamples "I Want You Back" (1969) byThe Jackson 5. "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" was debuted at theinaugural BET Awards on June 19, 2001. It reached number eight on theBillboard Hot 100, becoming Jay-Z’s first solo song to enter the top 10.
The song's title is a reference toJay-Z's "Hova" nickname, which itself is a reference toJehovah, one of God's names.[1][2] He said the nickname was given to him by a friend for his ability to rap without writing down the lyrics—like a "God".[2] "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" is one of four songs onThe Blueprint produced byKanye West.[3][1] An upcoming producer at the time, West sold the song's beat to rappersCam'ron andGhostface Killah before it was ultimately used by Jay-Z.[1]
Billboard described "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" as Jay-Z's "song of triumph".[4] Its instrumental features kick-drums, orchestralstrings, and asample of the song "I Want You Back" (1969) byThe Jackson 5.[1] On the track, Jay-Z raps about his life story, including his past as a drug dealer. He also discusses his not guilty plea for allegedly assaulting record executiveLance Rivera in 1999.[5]
Jay-Z debuted "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" on June 19, 2001, during theinaugural BET Awards. The song was later released byDef Jam Recordings as thelead single fromThe Blueprint.[1]
Peaking at number 8 on theBillboard Hot 100, "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" marked Jay-Z's first solo song to enter the top 10.[1][6] It also charted in Australia,[7] Scotland,[8] the Netherlands,[9] Switzerland,[10] and the UK.[11] The song wascertified Platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America,[12] andcertified Silver by theBritish Phonographic Industry.[13]
The music video was filmed in Los Angeles on a street made to look like New York City, and features cameos fromDamon Dash[14] and Kanye West. It was directed byDave Meyers. The video was premiered onMTV'sTotal Request Live on August 21, 2001.[5]
On October 31, 2001, a copyright lawsuit was filed against Jay-Z by Demme Ulloa, who claimed that she was not paid for her contribution to "Izzo". Ulloa asserted that it was her singing "H to the izzo/V to the izzay", though she didn't receive any money for her contribution and was not credited in the liner notes ofThe Blueprint.[15] Thejoint authorship claim was dismissed in 2004 but continued to proceed for acopyright infringement claim, which was ultimatelysettled.[16][17]
Credits adapted from the liner notes ofThe Blueprint.[3]
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[18] | 23 |
| Australian Urban (ARIA)[19] | 11 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[20] | 9 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] | 69 |
| Scotland Singles (OCC)[22] | 29 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] | 53 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[24] | 21 |
| UK Dance (OCC)[25] | 8 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[26] | 7 |
| USBillboard Hot 100[27] | 8 |
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[28] | 4 |
| USHot Rap Songs (Billboard)[29] | 7 |
| USRhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[30] | 4 |
| Chart (2001) | Position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard Hot 100[31] | 52 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[32] | 30 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[33] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[34] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
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