By Paul Grein: 04/12/2024
O.J. Simpson, who died on Wednesday (April 10) at 76, was a deeply polarizing figure, but he inspired a great work of art Jay-Z's 2017 song and video, "The Story of O.J.," a searing look at racism and classism in America, and the importance of building generational wealth.
The song entered and peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 10 Hot R&B Hip-Hop Songs. It received three Grammy nominations record of the year, best rap song and best music video.
In a key line in the song, Jay quotes a famous Sinpson line and then shows his own skepticism with a perfectly-timed pause and a one-word rejoinder: "O.J. like, 'I'm not black, I'm O.J.' ...okay.'
Jay also stressed the importance of building generational wealth by making smart financial decisions instead of bowing money on fancy cars and strip clubs, "Financial freedom my only hope/ F-k livin' rich dying broke... I can't wait to give this s-t to my children/ Ya'll think it's bougie, I'm like its fine/ But I'm tryin' to give you a million dollars woth of game for $9.99."
Jay wrote the song with No I.D. (Dion Wilson), Gene Redd and Jimmy Crobsy. The song sampled Nina Simone's 1966 song "Four Women," so she was also credited as a writer. Jay co-produced it with No I.D. The song was featured on Jay's 13th studio album 4:44,
