"Famous" | ||||||||
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Single by Kanye West | ||||||||
from the album The Life of Pablo | ||||||||
Released | April 1, 2016 | |||||||
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Recorded | 2015 | |||||||
Genre | Hip hop | |||||||
Length | 3:14 | |||||||
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Writer(s) | ||||||||
Producer(s) |
Various
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Kanye West singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Famous" is a song by American rapper Kanye West. It serves as the lead single from his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016). The song features vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna and ad-libs from American hip hop artist Swizz Beatz, and enlists samples of Jamaican singer Sister Nancy and American singer Nina Simone. The single was serviced to US urban and rhythmic radio stations on April 1, 2016.
Upon its release, "Famous" met with scrutiny for a controversial lyrical reference to American singer Taylor Swift, partially in relation to West's interruption of her 2009 VMA acceptance speech. After West claimed to have obtained Swift's approval over the criticized lyric, Swift denied the claim, criticizing West and denouncing the lyric as "misogynistic" in a statement. Several months later, West's wife Kim Kardashian released a video capturing a conversation between Swift and West in which Swift appears to approve the lyric, validating West's claim.
In June 2016, West released a music video for "Famous" depicting West, Swift, Kardashian, former president George W. Bush, Donald Trump, Anna Wintour, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Ray J, Amber Rose, Caitlyn Jenner, and Bill Cosby all sleeping nude in a shared bed. It was released to a polarized response. The wax figures used in the video were later exhibited as a sculpture. The song has been nominated in the Rap/Sung Performance and Rap Song category at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.