Auto-Tune, the pitch-correcting software that makes B-list celebs sound like singers and T-Pain sound like himself, is generally a love it/hate it kind of thing. Jay-Z hates it. He made that very clear this weekend by dropping a single titled "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" that's already igniting some fierce debate among fans. Stream the controversial cut below (some NSFW language), then click through to the jump to read my snap-judgment take and let us know what you think.
First off, Jay isn't trying for a pop hit here. He's issuing a manifesto. "This ain't a number one record," he spits. "This is practically assault with a deadly weapon." Take note, Auto-Tune abusers: "Y'all n—-s singing too much/Get back to rap, you T-Painin' too much!" That insult could apply to any number of rappers who have spent the last year or so whining into a robot-voice effect instead of actually rapping. Rappers like, well, Jay's buddy Kanye West — who happened to co-produce "Death of Auto-Tune" with his old mentor No I.D. Others have noted that Jay assured an interviewer this weekend that his jabs aren't aimed at Kanye, nor at repeat Auto-Tune offenders like Lil Wayne or even T-Pain himself, which leaves it even less clear just who he is going after here. And no, for better or for worse, Auto-Tune is almost definitely not dying any time soon in the real world.
What does it matter if "Death of Auto-Tune" holds up as a conceptual statement under close examination, though? As a piece of music, it's superb. No I.D. and Kanye have turned in what might be the beat of the year. ("Kinda Like a Big Deal," you're on notice.) Nasty guitar licks, drunk horns, rueful strings, hard drums — this thing knocks. Jay, of course, rides that beat like only he can. I hope that when September rolls around and Jay-Z releases The Blueprint 3, it's not all semi-confusing concept disses of computer programs. But you know what? If they all sound this good, I won't lie and say I'll mind. Give "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" a listen above if you haven't already, then tell us how you like Jay-Z's latest.
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Comments (1-15) of 40 Add your comment
I like the song and I’m sick of auto-tuned songs, its stupid. Do something different than what Roger and Zapp did YEARS ago.
AUTO TUNE IS A TOOL THAT’S BEEN ABUSE.JAY Z’S FLOW IS A TOOL THAT SOME PEOPLE TRIED TO ABUSE BUT THEY CAN’T ITS NOT A COMPUTER PLUG IN IF IT WAS, IT WOULD BE ABUSE ALSO.I SAY KEEP EXPERIMENTING WITH MUSIC AND TECHNOLOGY, WHY NOT ?????? JAY Z DO YOU STOP WORRYING ABOUT IT GRANDPA…………..
So he’s dissing Auto-tune, but he insists he’s NOT dissing some of the biggest offenders of something he allegedly hates?
Sure, the beat is hot, but the tune would have more bite if Jay didn’t seem so (understandably) concerned about burning bridges and ticking off a few friends.
Did he steal the idea for DOA from the young guy singing this death to auto-tune Youtube video?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBaXwRQQciI
And it should be Death TO AUTO-tune, not Death “of” auto-tune.
i guess you can justify his english by arguing that he’s trying to personify auto-tune.
if he had titled it, “death of ‘auto-tune’” that would’ve made more sense.
First of all its a play on word the acronyn
of DEATH ON ARRIVAL its used in the medical field
Where’s my post EW?
To repeat: I think Jay stole his idea from this young guy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBaXwRQQciI
and no the CEO of Def jam did not steal from some kid on youtube…come on now
I knew it was coming and I knew it was coming from H.O.V It’s what the game needs. I respect thos other artist but I never been a fan of auto-tune. give me pure raw hip hop.1 luv JAY.
Isn’t he dissin Ron Browz? He’s usin autotune & he produced “Ether” so maybe thats why…
The man said it didnt he? Hip hop is dead. When rappers start singing with special effects its a bad sign.
Who else could he be talking to but Lil Wayne, Kanye, and Jamie Foxx?? Seriously? If Jay was so hard as he claims in the song why wouldn’t he pull his skirt down grow a pair and fess up to it?
Jamie Foxx is not a rapper, look Jays right cats sing and winin when you supposed to be rapping, rap means hard, street, not wearing pink and purple with tight ass skinny jeans, and stateboarding. What the hell is that about…and dont give me that crap about its a style, or they are comfortable with their manhood…if they really were comfortable with their manhood they would care
youre ignorant and stupid. i wear purple. hold the pink. and i skateboard. ive never heard of Stateboarding? have you? learn to spell dumbass. and you must be a fn fashion designer, because you know so much about style. youre are real piece of work, hating people becuase of their pants. you dont gotta wear them, do you?
Jeans too tight… Colors to loud? Kanye “Fishsticks” West!!!!
this was nice.. theres this young rapper who responds to the jay-z track d.o.a he calls it “long live autotune”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00aSrs2K0hw
What are you *on* about? Jay-Z’s track sounds nothing like the song in the video you’ve linked to. Nor is the idea that AutoTune is ridiculous/mock-worthy/the worst thing to hit music in a while an idea that’s novel or original to Bobby Ray Simmons. If you don’t feel Jay-Z’s track, fine, say so. But don’t make up claims that he somehow plagiarized or “stole” it from someone else. As the columnist notes, plenty of people hate Autotune and wish it hadn’t become so prevalent in the current musical landscape.
Also/? “Death of” is grammatically correct for what Jay-Z’s doing in the song; he’s declaring that his manifesto is (or should be) the death of Autotune.
There is a come back song to this dissin Jay-Z. I got it off limewire. It’s actually kinda hot!!!!
or download it at http://www.myspace.com/tredubwildboy
This song is sick. Auto-Tone is very played out. Roger made it famous, T-Pain brought it back but now it is too much.
Jay-Z sucks I don’t see how people put him in the category of “GREATNESS”. Big deal Auto Tune allows anyone to make a hit big deal. Guess what? The next big thing to come out of hip hop that sales just about everyone and their momma is going to support it. REALITY SUCKS doesn’t!