Kanye West and Jay-Z, ‘H.A.M.’ – Song Spotlight

When Jay-Z and Kanye West announced that they were going to team up for a new album, it wasn't shocking that the title was 'Watch the Throne.' It is also fitting that the musical giants' first single 'H.A.M,' off of the upcoming album, reflects their reigning positions in the rap game. An acronym for "hard as a mothaf---er," the new song has a heavy, elaborate beat that justifies its larger than life lyrics.

In the first few seconds of 'H.A.M.,' heavy percussion and a rising synth can be heard as Kanye rips into the first verse. After West drops his first line, an ominous, operatic sample soon finds it's way into the mix, with a female singer howling behind West as he raps, "Just forget it, you talk it, I live it / Like Eli I did it, jokes on you mothaf---er I get it."

As Kanye West raps the first chorus to 'H.A.M.,' the song grows much more intense, with the foreboding symphonic sound taken to the forefront. Jay-Z then takes over, rapping lines like, "Swam waters with Great Whites / Y'all mothaf----er woulda been chewed / I hustle with vultures late nights / Y'all mothaf----er woulda been food."

As the song begins to come to a close, you almost forget you are listening to a rap song, as female opera singers wail behind a simple piano melody. However, the song's hard-hitting drums and heavy beat return in the last few seconds for a big finale.

'H.A.M.' was produced by newcomer Lex Luger, who has risen to fame in the past year or so with songs like Rick Ross' 'B.M.F' and Waka Flocka Flame's 'Hard in Da Paint.' Keep an eye out for Kanye West and Jay-Z's new album 'Watch the Throne,' which is set for release some time this year.

Listen to Kanye West and Jay-Z, 'H.A.M.'