Oceans (Jay-Z song)

"Oceans"
Song by Jay-Z featuring Frank Ocean
from the album Magna Carta Holy Grail
ReleasedJuly 4, 2013
Recorded2011
GenreHip hop
Length3:58
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"Oceans" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z recorded for his twelfth studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail. The song features American singer Frank Ocean and was produced by Pharrell Williams, with additional production from Timbaland. The song has peaked at number 83 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Recording and composition

"Oceans", along with another song from Magna Carta Holy Grail titled "Holy Grail" were recorded in 2011 during the recording sessions for Jay-Z's collaborative album with Kanye West, Watch the Throne. West wanted the two songs to appear on Watch the Throne, but Jay-Z chose to keep them for his upcoming twelfth studio album and they were replaced with "No Church in the Wild" and "Made in America".[1][2]

Chart performance

Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 83
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[4] 30

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[5] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Jay-Z. Zane Lowe. Part 1: Magna Carta Holy Grail". BBC Radio 1. July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  2. ^ Harling, Danielle. "Jay-Z Says Kanye West Wanted "Holy Grail" & "Oceans" On "Watch The Throne"". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  3. ^ "Jay-Z - Chart history Hot 100". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Jay-Z - Chart History Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard.
  5. ^ "American single certifications – Jay-Z – Oceans". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2023.