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Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

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"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)"
Single by Jay-Z
from the album The Blueprint
ReleasedJune 19, 2001
RecordedMay 2001
StudioBaseline Studios (New York City)
Genre
Length4:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Kanye West
Jay-Z singles chronology
"Fiesta (Remix)"
(2001) 		"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)"
(2001) 		"Girls, Girls, Girls"
(2001)
"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" (2001)
A 24-second sample of "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" by Jay-Z from The Blueprint
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" is the lead single from American rapper Jay-Z's sixth album The Blueprint. Produced by Kanye West, the song prominently samples "I Want You Back" (1969) by The Jackson 5. "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" was debuted at the inaugural BET Awards on June 19, 2001. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Jay-Z’s first solo song to enter the top 10.

Background and composition

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The song's title is a reference to Jay-Z's "Hova" nickname, which itself is a reference to Jehovah, 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 on The Blueprint produced by Kanye West.[3][1] An upcoming producer at the time, West sold the song's beat to rappers Cam'ron and Ghostface 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, orchestral strings, and a sample of the song "I Want You Back" (1969) by The 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 executive Lance Rivera in 1999.[5]

Release and performance

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Jay-Z debuted "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" on June 19, 2001, during the inaugural BET Awards. The song was later released by Def Jam Recordings as the lead single from The Blueprint.[1]

Peaking at number 8 on the Billboard 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 was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America,[12] and certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.[13]

Music video

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The music video was filmed in Los Angeles on a street made to look like New York City, and features cameos from Damon Dash[14] and Kanye West. It was directed by Dave Meyers.[5]

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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 of The Blueprint.[15] The joint authorship claim was dismissed in 2004 but continued to proceed for a copyright infringement claim, which was ultimately settled.[16][17]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Blueprint.[3]

Studio locations
Personnel
Samples

Charts

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Weekly charts

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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 (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
US Billboard Hot 100[27] 8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[28] 4
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[29] 7
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[30] 4

Year-end charts

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Chart (2001) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[31] 52
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[32] 30

Certifications

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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.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Fitzgerald, Trent (August 21, 2023). "Jay-Z Releases His Classic Song 'Izzo (H.O.V.A.)' - Today in Hip-Hop". XXL Mag. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Jay-Z 'Decoded:' The Fresh Air Interview". NPR. November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  3. ^ a b The Blueprint (Liner notes). Jay-Z. Roc-A-Fella Records. 2001. 5863962.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ Watson, Elijah; Pascual, Danielle (April 21, 2022). "Jay-Z's Top 30 Songs on the Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Ducreay, Safra (August 21, 2018). "Jay-Z - "IZZO (H.O.V.A)": Throwback Video of the Day". The Boombox. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Galindo, Thomas (October 23, 2023). "The 7 Top Songs Kanye West Produced for Other Artists". American Songwriter. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  7. ^ "Jay-Z – Izzo (H.O.V.A.)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  8. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 21/10/2001". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  9. ^ "Jay-Z – Izzo (H.O.V.A.)". Dutch Single Top 100. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "Jay-Z – Izzo (H.O.V.A.)". Swiss Hitparade. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 21/10/2001". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  12. ^ "American single certifications – Jay-Z Izzo (H.O.V.A.)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  13. ^ "Jay-Z: Izzo (H.O.V.A.)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  14. ^ "Jay-Z Gets Serious, 'Soulful,' On New Video And Album". MTV News. August 2, 2001. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024.
  15. ^ "JAY-Z SUED FOR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT BY 'IZZO' SINGER". MTV News. October 31, 2001. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023.
  16. ^ "Ulloa v. Universal". 2004.
  17. ^ Griffis, Kelcee; Setty, Riddhi (August 8, 2022). "Beyoncé 'Renaissance' Blowback From Kelis Cautions Young Artists". Bloomberg Law.
  18. ^ "Jay-Z – Izzo (H.O.V.A.)". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  19. ^ "Issue 631" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  20. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 45, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  21. ^ "Jay-Z – Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  23. ^ "Jay-Z – Izzo (H.O.V.A.)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  25. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  26. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  27. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  28. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  29. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  30. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  31. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2001". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  32. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  33. ^ "British single certifications – Jay-Z – Izzo (H.O.V.A)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  34. ^ "American single certifications – Jay-Z – Izzo". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
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