"On to the Next One"
Single by Jay-Z featuring Swizz Beatz
from the album The Blueprint 3
ReleasedDecember 15, 2009
StudioRoc The Mic Studios, Oven Studios
(New York City, New York)
Genre
Length4:16
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Swizz Beatz
Jay-Z singles chronology
"Empire State of Mind"
(2009) 		"On to the Next One"
(2009) 		"I Wanna Rock (The Kings' G-Mix)"
(2010)
Swizz Beatz singles chronology
"I Can Transform Ya"
(2009) 		"On to the Next One"
(2009) 		"Fancy"
(2010)

"On to the Next One" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z, released on December 15, 2009 as the fourth single from his eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3 on his Roc Nation label and also released as the fourth single in the United Kingdom after "Young Forever". The song features additional rap vocals and music production from producer and rapper Swizz Beatz[1] as well as a vocal sample of the words "under the spotlight" and a background synthesizer sound from the live version of Justice's song "D.A.N.C.E.".

The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 53rd Grammy Awards, marking Jay-Z's 13th Grammy Award overall as well as Swizz Beatz's first Grammy Award win and making Jay-Z the first artist to have all four singles from one album win six Grammy Awards in their respective category. The song has been frequently used for freestyles, notably by Ab-Soul, Bun B, Crooked I and Red Cafe. This song was also part of the soundtrack of NBA 2K13, which was selected by Jay-Z,[2] and has been used as part of Peloton's television commercials promoting their interactive spinning cycle.[3]

Promotion

The song was first performed at Jay-Z's Answer the Call benefit concert in Madison Square Garden on September 11, 2009. It was also performed in the UK on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on February 19, 2010.

Critical reception

Devin Chanda from Billboard magazine gave the song a positive review:

"More than any of its predecessors, 'On to the Next One' best accomplishes what Jay-Z set out to do with 'The Blueprint 3': stay the course of trendsetter."[4]

Music video

The highly surreal music video, directed by Sam Brown and filmed in black-and-white and at a 4:3 aspect ratio in November 2009,[5] premiered on January 1, 2010 on New Year's Eve with Carson Daly. Although uploaded to YouTube the previous day, New Year's Eve 2009,[6] it has been called the first music video of the decade.[7][8]

The people, symbols, and characters featured in the video are seen in black-and-white colors.[9] Split-second scenes occur throughout the video showing abundant biblical references, such as crucifixes, angelic symbols, a skull reminiscent of Damien Hirst's famous sculpture For the Love of God, and Baphomet. During part of the music video, the music stops, and producer Swizz Beatz appears with his back turned to the viewer as he makes the symbol of Baphomet with his coat by raising his hands, and at approximately three minutes and thirty nine seconds into the video, there are two bullets on either side of a crucifix. Jay-Z wears a leather jacket and sunglasses for the video, in which rapper Young Jeezy cameos. Colin Bailey, better known as Drums of Death, who is known for his skull face paint, also cameos in the video, appearing either perplexed or mad.

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "On To The Next One Remake-Fl Studio 9 XXl". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  2. ^ Isenberg, Daniel (July 31, 2012). "Listen To Jay-Z's "NBA 2K13" Soundtrack". Complex. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  3. ^ Miller, Shannon (August 1, 2018). "See How Peloton Gets Cyclists 'On to the Next'". AdWeek. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  4. ^ "New Music Releases, Music Reviews, Album Releases & Song Releases". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  5. ^ "Behind The Scenes Pics Of Jay-Z's "On To The Next One" [Video Shoot]". Thehiphopconsultant.wordpress.com. 27 November 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  6. ^ "Official "On To The Next One" Video! Jay-Z | Swizz Beatz". YouTube. December 31, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2010.[dead YouTube link]
  7. ^ "Video: Jay-Z f/ Swizz Beatz – 'On to the Next One'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  8. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (December 28, 2009). "Jay-Z's 'On To The Next One' Video To Premiere On New Year's Eve – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  9. ^ "Peep This: Jay-Z Feat. Swizz Beatz "On To The Next One"". VIBE. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  10. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  12. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  14. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  16. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – Jay-Z – On to the Next One". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
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