Now THIS is more like it.

The release date for Kanye West & Jay-Z’s Watch the Throne (August 1) is official. Similar to this song.

“Otis” is 3 1/2 minutes of solid shit-talking by some of the best shit talkers in hip-hop history. It doesn’t scream “pop hit” but it definitely has that raw, head-nod groove to it. Jay’s in his pocket here and Kanye (knowing full well he can’t try to outflow Jiggaman) quotes Audio Two and drops a handful of sick zingers over a dope Otis Redding groove-although Kanye’s own “Gone” similarly utilized a gargantuan Otis sample. Well, at least they named the song after the brother, right?

“H.A.M” left a bad taste in my mouth when it was released at the beginning of the year. “Otis” gives me hope that Watch the Throne won’t be Mr. West’s first brick or continue Jay’s lengthy list of questionable collaborations. Listen for yourself.

Damn YouTube link got taken down. You can hear it here.