The Story of O.J.

Lore & Background

Following the release of the album, the song charted in multiple regions, entering and peaking at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as charting at number 88 on the UK Singles Chart. It received three nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video. The song features samples from Nina Simone's song "Four Women". The song's instrumental was used by American rapper Pusha T in his 2018 diss track against Canadian rapper and singer Drake. American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again also remixed the song in 2020.

Reader's Guide

The music video for "The Story of O.J." premiered on July 5, 2017 on Jay-Z's Vevo account on YouTube. It was directed by Jay-Z and Mark Romanek. The video uses a style similar to the Censored Eleven cartoons, depicting several well-known stereotypes associated with African Americans. Among other things, the video touches on African American culture, various roles within the black community, and how the black community is affected by money. O. J. Simpson is featured saying the line, "I'm not black, I'm O.J.," a reference to the idea that wealth, notoriety, and fame can transcend race. Rolling Stone declared it the best music video of 2017 and placed it at #35 on their list of 150 Best Rap Music Videos of All Time.

Did You Know?

• One of the song's lyrics caused backlash for being called antisemitic, with Hadley Freeman penning an article in The Guardian stating the song 'repeats a racist trope about Jewish people.'
• Talent manager Guy Oseary and producer Russell Simmons defended Jay-Z, with Oseary arguing the lyric was a 'way to showcase a community of people that are thought to have made wise business decisions.'
• Jay-Z said on the Rap Radar podcast that the lyric was an exaggeration, stating, 'Of course I know Jewish people don’t own all the property in the world. I mean, I own things!'