West's second and third studio albums, Late Registration (2005) and Graduation (2007), both debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, with the latter becoming his most commercially successful to date. Three of his subsequent albums—808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), and The Life of Pablo (2016)—were certified triple platinum, while Yeezus (2013) was certified double platinum. Although not as well-received critically as his previous works, Ye (2018), Jesus Is King (2019), and Donda (2021) continued West's streak of consecutive number-one debuts on the Billboard 200. West has also released collaborative albums including Watch the Throne (2011) with Jay-Z, Kids See Ghosts (2018) with Kid Cudi, and Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 (2024) with Ty Dolla Sign. In fashion design, he has collaborated with Nike, Inc., Louis Vuitton, and Gap Inc. on clothing and footwear, and led the Yeezy collaboration with Adidas.
One of the world's best-selling music artists with 160 million records sold, West has won 24 Grammy Awards, the joint 11th-most of all time and the most awarded for any hip hop artist along with Jay-Z. His other accolades include a Billboard Artist Achievement Award, a joint-record three Brit Awards for Best International Male Solo Artist, and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. West holds the joint record with Bob Dylan for most albums (four) topping the annual Pazz & Jop critic poll. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015. West's first six solo albums were included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2020, with the same publication naming him one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
West's outspoken views have received significant media coverage. He has been a frequent source of controversy due to his conduct on social media, at award shows, and in public settings, as well as his comments on the music and fashion industries, U.S. politics, race, and slavery. His Christian faith, high-profile marriage to Kim Kardashian, and mental health have also been topics of media attention. In 2020, West launched an unsuccessful independent presidential campaign that advocated for a consistent life ethic. In October 2022, he was widely condemned and lost many sponsors and partnerships, including his collaborations with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga, after making a series of antisemitic statements, including denying the Holocaust.
Otis
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You won't regret it, no, no
Some girls, they don't forget it
Love is their own happiness, yeah
Sq-sq-sq-squeeze her (sounds so soulful, don't you agree?)
Don't tease her
Never leave her
Poppin' bottles, puttin' supermodels in the cab, proof
I guess I got my swagger back, truth
New watch alert, Hublots
Or the big face Rollie, I got two of those
Arm out the window, through the city I maneuver slow
Cock back, snap back
See my cut through the holes
Damn, Yeezy and Hov
Where the hell ya been?
Niggas talkin' real reckless, stuntmen
I adopted these niggas, Phillip Drummond 'em
Now I'm bout to make them tuck they whole summer in
They say I'm crazy, well, I'm 'bout to go dumb again
They ain't see me 'cause I pulled up in my other Benz
Last week I was in my other other Benz
Throw your diamonds up 'cause we in this bitch another 'gain
Photoshoot fresh, looking like wealth
I'm 'bout to call the paparazzi on myself
Uh, live from the Mercer
Run up on Yeezy the wrong way, I might murk ya
Flee in the G450, I might surface
Political refugee, asylum can be purchased
Uh, everything's for sale, I got five passports
I'm never going to jail
I made "Jesus Walks" I'm never going to Hell
Couture level flow, it's never going on sale
Luxury rap, the Hermès of verses
Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive
I get it custom, you a customer
You ain't 'customed to going through customs
You ain't been nowhere, huh?
And all the ladies in the house, got 'em showing off
I'm done, I hit ya up mañana
Welcome to Havana
Smoking Cubanos with Castro in cabanas
Viva Mexico, Cubano
Dominicano, all the plugs that I know
Driving Benzes, with' no benefits
Not bad, huh? For some immigrants
Build your fences, we diggin' tunnels
Can't you see? We gettin' money up under you
Can't you see the private jets flyin' over you?
Maybach bumper sticker read "What would Hova do?"
Jay is chillin', 'Ye is chillin'
What more can I say? We killin' 'em
Hold up, before we end this campaign
As you can see, we done bodied the damn lames
Lord, please let them accept the things they can't change
And pray that all of their pain be champagne
In Kanye West's song Otis, the lyrics "It makes it easier, easier to bear. You won't regret it, no, no. Some girls, they don't forget it. Love is their own happiness" describe the feeling of being in a fulfilling relationship that eases life struggles. The line "Sq-sq-sq-squeeze her (sounds so soulful, don't you agree?) Don't tease her. Never leave her" highlights the importance of cherishing and being faithful to one's partner.
The second part of the song is mostly dedicated to flaunting their success and wealth, with lines such as "I invented swag" and "Poppin' bottles, puttin' supermodels in the cab." The chorus "Damn, Yeezy and Hov. Where the hell ya been? N\*\*\*\*\*s talkin' real reckless, stuntmen" is a mockery towards those who doubted their success or talked behind their backs. The song ends with a prayer wishing for everyone to accept their limitations and for their pains to be eased with champagne.
Line by Line Meaning
It makes it easier, easier to bear
This thing that happened will be easier for me to handle.
You won't regret it, no, no
You won't feel bad about the decision you make.
Some girls, they don't forget it
Some girls hold onto things and don't move on easily.
Love is their own happiness, yeah
These girls are happiest when they have love in their lives.
Sq-sq-sq-squeeze her (sounds so soulful, don't you agree?)
Squeeze her tight, the way the music makes you feel is so soulful.
Don't tease her
Never leave her
Don't play games with her and always be faithful.
I invented swag
Poppin' bottles, puttin' supermodels in the cab, proof
I guess I got my swagger back, truth
New watch alert, Hublots
Or the big face Rollie, I got two of those
Arm out the window, through the city I maneuver slow
Cock back, snap back
See my cut through the holes
I'm the one who originated 'swag' and I'm living the high life. I'm showing off my watch collection, driving slowly and confidently, and just being cool. My style is admired by many and when I walk through the crowd, people can't help but notice me.
Damn, Yeezy and Hov
Where the hell ya been?
Niggas talkin' real reckless, stuntmen
I adopted these niggas, Phillip Drummond 'em
Now I'm bout to make them tuck they whole summer in
They say I'm crazy, well, I'm 'bout to go dumb again
They ain't see me 'cause I pulled up in my other Benz
Last week I was in my other other Benz
Throw your diamonds up 'cause we in this bitch another 'gain
Where have Jay-Z and I been? People have been talking a lot of smack, but I took these young guys under my wing and now they're doing great. I'm about to show them how to really work for the summer. People say I'm crazy, but really I'm just about to do what I do best. I have so many luxury cars that it's hard to keep up. Time to raise a toast to another night of celebration.
Photoshoot fresh, looking like wealth
I'm 'bout to call the paparazzi on myself
Uh, live from the Mercer
Run up on Yeezy the wrong way, I might murk ya
Flee in the G450, I might surface
Political refugee, asylum can be purchased
Uh, everything's for sale, I got five passports
I'm never going to jail
I made "Jesus Walks" I'm never going to Hell
Couture level flow, it's never going on sale
Luxury rap, the Hermès of verses
Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive
I get it custom, you a customer
You ain't 'customed to going through customs
You ain't been nowhere, huh?
And all the ladies in the house, got 'em showing off
I'm done, I hit ya up mañana
I look great in these pictures and I'm so famous, I could just call the paparazzi on myself. I'm broadcasting live from a fancy hotel and if someone starts something with me, I won't hesitate to defend myself. I'm so well-traveled that I could probably live as a citizen of any country. My music style is so unique and sophisticated that it's like the Hermès brand of verses. I write my lyrics in cursive, which is an elegant way of handwriting. I'm in a class of my own and I only cater to those who appreciate that. I know how to navigate through customs so well, it's like breathing. All the ladies are impressed and putting on a show, but I have to go for now.
Welcome to Havana
Smoking Cubanos with Castro in cabanas
Viva Mexico, Cubano
Dominicano, all the plugs that I know
Driving Benzes, with' no benefits
Not bad, huh? For some immigrants
Build your fences, we diggin' tunnels
Can't you see? We gettin' money up under you
Can't you see the private jets flyin' over you?
Maybach bumper sticker read "What would Hova do?"
Jay is chillin', 'Ye is chillin'
What more can I say? We killin' 'em
I'm living it up in Havana, smoking cigars with Fidel Castro. I'm also enjoying the finer things in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and I know all the right people. I have a lot of fancy cars, but I have to work hard to afford them. It's impressive that I came as an immigrant and look at how much money I'm making. We're so successful that we don't care about the fences and walls you're building. Instead, we're building tunnels underneath them and making even more money. We're so rich that even when we're flying over you in private jets, you can't bring us down. Jay-Z and I are kicking back and enjoying our success, and there's nothing you can do to stop us.
Hold up, before we end this campaign
As you can see, we done bodied the damn lames
Lord, please let them accept the things they can't change
And pray that all of their pain be champagne
Wait, before we finish, let's just say that we have won over our haters. We are on top and they are way below us. We hope that they can learn to accept their fate and move on. But in the end, let's hope everyone can celebrate with a drink of champagne!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Campbell, Reg Connelly, Harry Woods, James Brown, Shawn Carter, Roy C Hammond, Joseph Maloy Roach, Kirk S Robinson, Kanye West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@claaws
[Verse 1: JAY-Z]
Uh, I invented swag Poppin' bottles, puttin' supermodels in the cab Proof I guess I got my swagger back, truth
New watch alert: Hublots Or the big face Rollie, I got two of those Arm out the window through the city, I maneuver slow
Cock back, snap back, see my cut through the holes
[Verse 2: Kanye West]
Damn, Yeezy and Hov, where the hell you been?
Niggas talking real reckless; stuntmen
I adopted these niggas, Phillip Drummond them
Now I’m 'bout to make them tuck their whole summer in
They say I’m crazy, but I’m 'bout to go dumb again
They ain't seen me 'cause I pulled up in my other Benz Last week I was in my other other Benz
Throw your diamonds up 'cause we in this bitch another ‘gain
[Verse 3: JAY-Z]
Photo shoot fresh, looking like wealth
I'm 'bout to call the paparazzi on myself
Uh, live from the Mercer
Run up on Yeezy the wrong way, I might murk ya
Flee in the G450, I might surface
Political refugee, asylum can be purchased
Uh, everything's for sale
I got five passports, I'm never going to jail
[Verse 4: Kanye West]
I made Jesus Walks, I'm never going to hell
Couture level flow is never going on sale
Luxury rap, the Hermès of verses
Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive
I get it custom, you a customer
You ain't accustomed to going through customs
You ain't been nowhere, hah?
And all the ladies in the house got 'em showing off
I'm done, I'll hit you up maña...nah!
[Verse 5: JAY-Z]
Welcome to Havana
Smoking Cubanos with Castro in cabanas
Viva México, cubano
Dominicano, all the plugs that I know
Driving Benzes with no benefits
Not bad, huh, for some immigrants?
Build your fences, we diggin' tunnels
Can’t you see we gettin' money up under you?
[Verse 6: Kanye West, Jay-Z & Both]
Can’t you see the private jets flying over you?
Maybach bumper sticker read: "What would Hova do?"
Jay is chillin' (Uh), Ye is chillin' (Uh)
What more can I say? We killin' 'em
Hold up before we end this campaign
As you can see, we done bodied the damn lames
Lord, please let them accept the things they can't change
And pray that all of their pain be champagne
@hooperdagoat
Dat “Drah drah nuh nuh nuh” in da background is unforgettable
@mattace9113
Otis Redding’s
@kellyf5004
@Dave Kahn shut up
@irlfoster
From the actual song he’s actually saying try apparently
@evrongrant301
Now only real fans hear the bongos in the background
@TitusB226
I sing that part everytime I drive my ATV crazy in the yard lol
@NenedzhyanStudios
"Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive." Absolutely fire line, that one does it for me.
@funtimefreddie9637
Love it.
@tammifields4142
💯💯
@perussi_gaming4459
A whole different league of flexing