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"30 Hours"
Promotional single by Kanye West
from the album The Life of Pablo
ReleasedFebruary 12, 2016
Recorded2015
Genre
Length5:23
Label
Songwriters
Producers

"30 Hours" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016).[1] It features backing vocals from André 3000. The track was released as a promotional single from the album as part of West's GOOD Fridays program.

Composition and lyrics

[edit]

"30 Hours" heavily samples the 1986 track "Answers Me" by Arthur Russell.[2] The song also includes a sample of drums from the 1973 single "Joy" by Isaac Hayes.[3]

The album version has an outro similar to that of "Last Call" from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004).[4] By the time that all the changes had been made to The Life of Pablo in June 2016, the track had been crafted by West to sound like the original version.[5]

The song interpolates Nelly singles "E.I." and "Hot in Herre".[6]

Release

[edit]

Prior to the release of the song, "Real Friends" and "No More Parties in LA" had already been released for streaming as part of the GOOD Fridays program. The track was released as a promotional single just like they were, so West made it solely available for free streaming on SoundCloud instead of sites like iTunes or Amazon Music where it had to be paid for.[7] "30 Hours" went on to be removed from SoundCloud, despite the two promotional singles "Facts" and "No More Parties in LA" still being available on the site.[8]

The Life of Pablo was scheduled to be titled "Waves" at one point and the track was set to be a part of Act 2 on one of the track lists for the album.[9] On the day that the song was released, West announced via Twitter that the featuring album was being mastered and set for release later on in the day, alongside promotion of the single – however, the release was delayed by two days due to Chance the Rapper fighting to keep the track "Waves" as part of it.[10][11] Two days after The Life of Pablo's release, West tweeted out thanks to Drake for helping him write "30 Hours" along with "Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1" and also promised more music with both Drake and Future.[12]

Recording

[edit]

Photography of background vocalist André 3000 in the studio alongside other rappers with West working on the album was posted on 2 Chainz's Instagram in January 2016.[13] When André was on his way to the studio in Los Angeles, he decided to bring a random Uber passenger with him.[14] André revealed that he was expecting to drop a guest verse on "30 Hours" and that others expected one from him, though the collaboration fell through.[15]

Critical reception

[edit]

When reviewing The Life of Pablo for Rolling Stone, Rob Sheffield viewed "30 Hours" as "the most stunning track here".[16] Gavin Haynes of NME described West's sampling of "Answers Me" in the track as where "he pulls off the most masterful of these high-low art juxtapositions".[17]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Upon the release of The Life of Pablo, the song debuted at number 6 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart and remained on it for a total of two weeks.[18]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from West's official website.[19]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2016) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[20] 143
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[21] 6

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

30 Hours

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"30 Hours" is a hip hop song by American rapper and record producer , serving as the sixteenth track on his seventh studio album, . Released on February 14, 2016, by and , the album features contributions from various artists, with "30 Hours" including backing vocals from member André 3000. The track was initially issued as a promotional single on February 12, 2016, via , reviving West's series of weekly releases to build anticipation for the album. Produced by West, , and Mike Dean, with additional production from , "30 Hours" incorporates a slowed-down sample from Arthur Russell's 1986 track "Answers Me" from the album , creating a mellow, introspective atmosphere. Lyrically, the song reflects on West's early career struggles, a tumultuous likely with his ex-girlfriend Sumeke Rainey, and themes of fame and personal conflict, including references to an and a 30-hour drive from to . Notably, portions of the lyrics were co-written by Canadian rapper Drake, as West later acknowledged in interviews. The song received positive reception for its production and nostalgic tone, with critics praising its laid-back vibe and effective sample flip, though it did not achieve significant commercial chart success as a single, peaking at number 106 on the US chart. By 2020, "30 Hours" was certified gold by the (RIAA) for 500,000 units sold or streamed in the United States. It has amassed over 137 million streams on as of 2025, underscoring its enduring popularity among fans.

Background and recording

Writing and concept

"30 Hours" draws its core inspiration from Kanye West's personal relationships, particularly his reflections on a past romance with high school sweetheart Sumeke Rainey, whom he dated for seven years before their 2004 breakup, contrasted against his contemporary dynamic with wife . The song explores themes of fame, regret, and introspection through this lens, portraying West's evolution from striving artist to celebrity while grappling with the emotional toll of those connections. The title and overarching theme stem from a real 30-hour drive West made from to [Los Angeles](/page/Los Angeles) in the early 2000s, a journey undertaken to visit Rainey amid his burgeoning music career and long-distance challenges, symbolizing exhaustive efforts in love and ambition that ultimately led to disappointment upon discovering her with another man. This period of reflection during the drive forms the song's narrative backbone, emphasizing and self-examination. Conceptualized in 2015 amid sessions for West's seventh studio album, , the track evolved as a meditative piece on personal growth. West decided to feature on backing vocals, inviting the member to the studio to infuse emotional depth through ad-libs in the outro, enhancing the introspective tone.

Recording sessions

The recording of "30 Hours" occurred as part of the broader production for Kanye West's seventh studio album, , with sessions spanning from 2013 to early 2016 across multiple locations, including studios in and New York. Key Los Angeles facilities included Windmark Studios in Santa Monica, Larrabee Studios in North Hollywood, Ameraycan Studios, and Sound EQ Studios in Hollywood, while New York sites encompassed Germano Studios, Dean’s List House of Hits in , and . These sessions captured West's lead vocals and the track's core elements amid the album's evolving tracklist and frequent revisions leading up to its February 2016 release. André 3000 provided backing vocals for the song, incorporating his distinctive ad-lib style, which layered improvisational elements into the outro for added texture and energy. His contribution, credited on the final track, enhanced the song's reflective close without a full verse, aligning with West's vision for subtle collaborative flourishes. Producers , Mike Dean, and collaborated closely during the sessions to build the instrumental foundation, focusing on layering samples from Arthur Russell's "Answers Me" over soulful beats and basslines. Mike Dean handled much of the engineering and additional production at his studio, contributing guitar and elements, while Riggins emphasized organic, sample-driven textures; provided additional production support. This process involved iterative beat construction and vocal integration, resulting in the track's extended runtime and dynamic outro. Anecdotal accounts from the album's production highlight intense, extended sessions that fueled creative momentum, reflecting West's hands-on approach, often blending exhaustion with innovation to refine the song's nostalgic tone.

Composition and lyrics

Musical composition

"30 Hours" runs for a duration of 5 minutes and 23 seconds and is composed in the key of at a of 95 beats per minute. The track follows a conventional hip-hop structure comprising an introductory sample loop, two verses interspersed with choruses, and a notably extended outro that incorporates spoken-word elements and ad-libs, culminating in a collaborative vocal appearance by André 3000. This outro extends for nearly three minutes, providing a narrative closure reminiscent of reflective codas in earlier works. The production, credited to alongside and Mike Dean, employs a slowed-down sample of Arthur Russell's track "Answers Me" as its core loop, which imparts a melancholic and introspective atmosphere through its ethereal and vocal elements pitched down for emotional depth. Complementing this are gritty, low-key drum patterns that maintain a subdued hip-hop/R&B hybrid groove, avoiding aggressive percussion in favor of restraint to heighten the nostalgic and contemplative mood. Subtle ambient textures and piano-infused loops derived from the sample further evoke a sense of wistful , blending lo-fi with polished layering. Originally previewed as a demo via on February 12, 2016, as part of the revived G.O.O.D. Fridays series, the final album iteration of "30 Hours" on incorporates additional production layers, including refined vocal treatments and integrated samples, to enhance cohesion within the project's eclectic sonic palette. These revisions transform the initial raw freestyle-like version into a more immersive, album-oriented piece while preserving its intimate, stream-of-consciousness vibe.

Lyrical content

"30 Hours" centers on Kanye West's reflection of a failed past relationship, framed through the narrative of a grueling 30-hour drive from to to see his partner, only to discover her upon arrival, followed by another 30-hour drive back, undertaken during his early career struggles to maintain commitment despite rising fame. The lyrics depict the emotional and physical exhaustion of this journey, symbolizing the personal sacrifices demanded by his burgeoning success in the music industry. A key line, "Million dollar renovations to a happy home / When you renovate, you gotta take the whole house down," illustrates the of investing substantial resources—financial and emotional—into the relationship, only for it to collapse under the pressures of , highlighting fame's erosive effect on intimate bonds. Portions of the lyrics were co-written by Drake, contributing to the track's introspective verses. The song weaves themes of regret and with moments of bravado, creating a layered portrayal of West's emotional state. West expresses remorse for suggesting an , which backfires and fuels jealousy, as seen in ad-libs like "It was my idea to have an open relationship / Now a nigga mad," underscoring his hindsight acknowledgment of relational missteps. This vulnerability contrasts with assertive boasts, such as threats to "whoop him after school just to show I got class" or references to selling out , blending defensive posturing with candid introspection about personal failures. West employs intricate wordplay and allusions to his , delivered in a stream-of-consciousness style that mirrors the drive's meandering flow. References to past partners, likely Sumeke Rainey from his pre-fame days, evoke betrayal and lost time, while subtle nods to his then-wife appear in contrasts like deeming her his "best of all time," positioning the track as a bridge between old wounds and current stability. The repetitive "thirty hours" motif and ad-libbed asides enhance this improvisational feel, emphasizing unresolved tensions. These lyrics align with broader motifs in The Life of Pablo, contributing to the album's exploration of redemption through familial reconciliation and personal atonement, as West grapples with fame's disruptions to love and legacy.

Release and promotion

Release history

"30 Hours" was first released on February 12, 2016, as part of Kanye West's promotional series, made available for free streaming exclusively on . The track, featuring backing vocals from , served as a standalone single ahead of West's seventh studio . Following a delay in the album's rollout—attributed to last-minute contributions from on another track—"30 Hours" was incorporated into , which premiered on February 14, 2016, via Tidal for streaming and download. The upload was later updated to the album version. No physical formats were issued for "30 Hours" as a single; post-album launch, it became accessible for digital purchase and streaming through platforms including and .

Promotional activities

"30 Hours" premiered as part of Kanye West's Yeezy Season 3 fashion show and album listening event at on February 11, 2016, where West debuted tracks from to an audience of fans and celebrities. The performance contributed to the song's integration into the project's evolving tracklist, as West incorporated "30 Hours" following enthusiastic responses from attendees and online buzz during the ongoing rollout. West promoted the track through social media posts on and , sharing a link to the full song on February 12, 2016, while emphasizing its origin in a grueling 30-hour recording session with his then-girlfriend, as detailed in the . This release marked a revival of West's series, a promotional initiative originally launched in to build for his albums. During West's , "30 Hours" appeared in setlists as one of the selections from . The track's backing vocals by were noted in later discussions around the album.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release as part of , "30 Hours" garnered acclaim from several prominent critics for its creative sampling and emotional depth. Rob Sheffield of hailed it as "the most stunning track here," praising its introspective lyrics over an Arthur Russell sample that evokes personal reflection on past relationships. Similarly, Gavin Haynes of commended the song's "most masterful" blend of high and low art, achieved through sampling Arthur Russell's cult classic "Answers Me" to underscore West's nostalgic vulnerabilities, such as lines about physical insecurities and relational regrets. Jon Caramanica of highlighted how the track accentuates West's "softer side," emphasizing its role in revealing vulnerability amid the album's broader bravado. Critics offered mixed assessments, often viewing "30 Hours" as somewhat extraneous within the album's fragmented and evolving structure, though its honest portrayal of West's frailties earned appreciation. In a review for RapReviews, Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania dismissed it as "barely worth a release," suggesting it felt like an underdeveloped addition to the tracklist. Michael Nelson of Consequence described the song as "clearly recorded right before the album's release" and "inexplicable for its own sake," critiquing its bonus-track vibe and ad-lib-heavy outro as disruptive to cohesion, yet noting West's raw emotional delivery as a redeeming quality. In retrospectives, "30 Hours" has been recognized for its lasting influence on sample-based hip-hop, particularly in reviving obscure art-funk elements for storytelling. A NME anniversary feature on The Life of Pablo spotlighted the track's self-deprecating introspection as emblematic of West's peak vulnerability, inspiring later artists to experiment with eclectic, nostalgic sampling in rap production. The song contributed to the album's overall score of 75/100, based on 35 reviews that lauded its artistic risks amid mixed views on the project's unfinished feel.

Commercial performance

"30 Hours" experienced modest commercial success as a promotional single from Kanye West's seventh studio album, . It peaked at number 106 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart—equivalent to number 6 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles extension—for two weeks. In the , the song reached number 143 on the UK Singles Chart. The track was certified Gold by the RIAA on February 27, 2020, signifying 500,000 units in sales and streaming equivalents in the United States. Released primarily to promote , "30 Hours" received no significant radio airplay and was not actively pushed as a commercial single. By November 2025, "30 Hours" had accumulated over 137 million streams on alone, contributing to the parent album's RIAA double platinum certification achieved in 2022 for two million equivalent units. Post-2020, the song saw a resurgence in streams driven by social media virality and algorithmic playlists, though it did not result in new chart entries.

Credits and production

Personnel

"30 Hours" features lead vocals performed by , with backing vocals provided by André 3000. The production team consisted of , Mike Dean, and as primary producers, alongside additional production from . Songwriting credits include Kanye West, Aubrey Graham, Karriem Riggins, Mike Dean, Arthur Russell, Isaac Hayes, Cornell Haynes Jr., Jason Epperson, and Pharrell Williams. Engineering duties were led by Noah Goldstein, with additional recording by Andrew Dawson, Anthony Kilhoffer, and Mike Dean, and mixing by Manny Marroquin.
RolePersonnel
Lead vocalsKanye West
Backing vocalsAndré 3000
ProducersKanye West, Mike Dean, Karriem Riggins
Additional productionNoah Goldstein
WritersKanye West, Aubrey Graham, Karriem Riggins, Mike Dean, Arthur Russell, Isaac Hayes, Cornell Haynes Jr., Jason Epperson, Pharrell Williams
Engineers/MixersNoah Goldstein, Andrew Dawson, Anthony Kilhoffer, Mike Dean, Manny Marroquin

Samples and interpolations

The primary sample in "30 Hours" is taken from "Answers Me" by Arthur Russell, released in 1986 on the album World of Echo. This sample forms the core of the track's main melody, with the original's opening vocal and instrumental elements looped and manipulated to create a haunting, ethereal backdrop that loops throughout much of the song. In the album version on The Life of Pablo, the sample is extended and rearranged, incorporating additional layers from an earlier SoundCloud iteration of the track to enhance its runtime and structure. An additional sample derives from "Joy" by Isaac Hayes, from his 1973 album Joy. This contributes soulful undertones through its drum breaks, which are layered into the beat to provide a , mid-tempo foundation that complements the Russell sample's fragility. The track also features interpolations of two songs: "" (2002) and "E.I." (2000). These appear in the rhythmic patterns and lyrical references, with quoting lines like "It's getting hot in here" and echoing the bouncy cadences from both tracks to infuse a playful, nostalgic hip-hop energy into the verses. received songwriting credits for these elements on .

References

  1. https://pitchfork.com/news/63499-kanye-west-shares-new-song-30-hours-adds-more-songs-to-new-album-the-life-of-pablo/
  2. https://genius.com/Kanye-west-30-hours-lyrics
  3. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-co-writer-kanye-west-yikes-life-of-pablo-8464510/
  4. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=30%2BHours%2Bby%2BKanye%2BWest&id=164403
  5. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/2CHmgtK8OCL28WtIK96u4N.html
  6. https://www.mic.com/articles/135412/kanye-west-s-30-hours-lyrics-look-back-on-rapper-s-love-life-and-struggle-for-success
  7. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-30-hours-the-life-of-pablo-6874903/
  8. https://www.okayplayer.com/andre-3000-discusses-failed-fashion-line-appearing-on-kanye-wests-pablo-in-new-interview/481213
  9. https://www.complex.com/music/a/jessie-morris/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-recording-locations
  10. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/andre-3000-2016-features-7639927/
  11. https://www.whosampled.com/Kanye-West/30-Hours/
  12. https://www.newsweek.com/life-pablo-kanye-wests-scattered-unfinished-masterpiece-427768
  13. https://tunebat.com/Info/30-Hours-Kanye-West/2CHmgtK8OCL28WtIK96u4N
  14. https://atwoodmagazine.com/kanye-west-life-of-pablo/
  15. https://www.complex.com/music/a/andrew-barber/the-best-kanye-west-songs
  16. https://pitchfork.com/news/63408-kanye-wests-the-life-of-pablo-is-out-now/
  17. https://genius.com/Kanye-west-30-hours-demo-lyrics
  18. https://www.bustle.com/articles/141516-who-is-kanye-wests-30-hours-about-the-ex-mentioned-might-not-be-the-one-you
  19. https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-180-1202922
  20. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-chance-the-rapper-waves-delayed-release-of-life-of-pablo-6875182/
  21. https://www.xxlmag.com/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-changes/
  22. https://music.apple.com/us/song/30-hours/1443063992
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/12/arts/music/kanye-west-yeezy-season-3-life-of-pablo.html
  24. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-drops-non-pablo-song-30-hours-adds-to-album-track-list-240628/
  25. https://ew.com/article/2016/02/12/kanye-west-new-song-30-hours/
  26. https://www.thefader.com/2016/02/12/kanye-west-announces-return-of-good-fridays-shares-30-hours
  27. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/ye-bd6bd8a.html?tour=5bd6b35c
  28. https://www.xxlmag.com/andre-3000-in-the-studio-2016/
  29. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-life-of-pablo-191334/
  30. https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-kanye-west-16398-307754
  31. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/15/arts/music/kanye-west-life-of-pablo-review.html
  32. https://www.rapreviews.com/2016/02/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo/
  33. https://consequence.net/2016/02/album-review-kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo/
  34. https://www.nme.com/features/the-life-of-pablo-kanye-west-five-year-anniversary-last-great-album-2879008
  35. https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-life-of-pablo/kanye-west
  36. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=30+Hours+by+Kanye+West&id=164403
  37. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=30+Hours
  38. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/4E7FUbLDezvkVS6BCkKIup.html
  39. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kanye+West&ti=The+Life+of+Pablo&type=album
  40. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/kanye-west/30-hours/
  41. https://www.allmusic.com/song/30-hours-mt0053077518
  42. https://genius.com/albums/Kanye-west/The-life-of-pablo
  43. https://www.complex.com/music/a/corbin-reiff/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-sample-breakdown
  44. https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-a-z-guide-to-every-song-sampled-on-kanye-wests-the-life-of-pablo/
  45. https://genius.com/a/every-sample-on-kanye-s-the-life-of-pablo
  46. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/409896/Kanye-West-Andr%25C3%25A9-3000-30-Hours-Nelly-Hot-in-Herre/
  47. https://genius.com/Kanye-west-30-hours-sample/interpolations
  48. https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-169-1200471
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