The Joy

Album: Single Release Only (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This minimal hip-hop jam was released by rapper Kanye West on October 29, 2010 as part of his "G.O.O.D. Friday" series, in which the Chicago MC releases a new tune to kick off the weekend every Friday. The recording also features the vocals of Charlie Wilson, a verse from Jay-Z and additional contributions from Pete Rock and Kid Cudi.
  • The song samples the vocals from Curtis Mayfield's "The Makings of You" from the soul singer's 1970 debut solo album, Curtis. This is not the first time West has borrowed from Mayfield's catalogue. He previously sampled "Move On Up" for his Late Registration single, "Touch the Sky."
  • The song was subsequently re-recorded by West and Jay-Z for the deluxe edition of their 2011 Watch The Throne project.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets

Curt Kirkwood of Meat PuppetsSongwriter Interviews

The (Meat)puppetmaster takes us through songs like "Lake Of Fire" and "Backwater," and talks about performing with Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.