Unreleased Collaboration: Jay-Z and Kanye West's Alternate Version of 'We Are Young' by Fun

Jack Antonoff Reveals that Jay Z and Kanye West Made a Version of We Are Young For Watch The Throne

Jack Antonoff Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images

It seems like Jack Antonoff and Kanye West may have had some tension long before Antonoff became close friends with Taylor Swift.

During an interview with Nardwuar on May 9, Antonoff, who is now 40 years old, revealed that Fun.'s hit song "We Are Young" almost made it onto Watch The Throne, the 2011 album by Kanye West and Jay-Z. Antonoff, who played guitar in the band, explained that the song's producer, Jeff Bhasker, was also working on Watch the Throne at that time. Antonoff mentioned that they were informed that the chorus of the song had been taken and used by Jay-Z and Kanye for their track.

Antonoff revealed that "We Are Young" was originally part of the track list that leaked before the release of Watch the Throne in August 2011. However, the song did not make it into the final lineup of the album.

According to Antonoff, Jay-Z reportedly felt that "We Are Young" was too pop for the album. In hindsight, Jay-Z's decision may have been correct, considering the massive success the song went on to achieve in the pop music scene.

In 2013, Bhasker explained to MTV News how West and Jay-Z ended up with the song first. He gave them the "We Are Young" beat, hoping they would rap over it.

Bhasker recalled, "Things changed last minute. While working on Watch the Throne, I introduced Nate [Ruess] to them and suggested they try working on it. Nate really liked the beat. However, it didn't quite fit the vibe of Watch the Throne, which aimed for a more underground and counter-culture feel."

Fun.'s hit song "We Are Young" became their most popular track, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011 and selling over 10 million copies to earn a diamond certification. The band, consisting of Antonoff, Ruess, and Dost, continued their success in the following year with "Some Nights" peaking at No. 3 on the charts. However, Fun. went on hiatus in 2015, with Ruess pursuing a solo career, Dost becoming a music teacher in Michigan, and Antonoff forming his own band, Bleachers.

Antonoff has never listened to the Watch the Throne version of “We Are Young.” He mentioned hearing rumors about why the song was not released, with someone at Roc Nation possibly being involved. The only information he received about the Jay-Z version of the song was that Jay-Z shouted phrases like “Lighters up. I’m the king of Bonnaroo, I’m the king of Coachella.”

Antonoff expressed that he doubts he will ever get the chance to listen to the song. At this point, he is not interested in hearing it either.

In August 2011, Watch the Throne was released. The following month, Fun released their hit single "We Are Young" as the lead track from their 2012 album Some Nights. Fast forward to November 2012, Antonoff and Swift crossed paths at the MTV Europe Music Awards, sparking both a personal bond and a professional collaboration.

Jack Antonoff Reveals that Jay Z and Kanye West Made a Version of We Are Young For Watch The Throne

During the Nardwuar interview, they talked about a song called "Jersey Boy" by The Unloveables. Nardwuar mentioned that in the song, there is a reference to Taylor. Antonoff seemed uncomfortable at the mention of "Taylor," pausing awkwardly for six seconds. Nardwuar repeated the question about the song's reference to Taylor.

Antonoff asked, "…ham?" and he got it right.

Feeling relieved, Antonoff recalled a previous incident. In March, during an interview with a Dutch publication, he refused to reveal any secrets about Swift’s upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department.

At a recent event, instead of leaving Nardwuar hanging, Antonoff decided to share a funny story about another Taylor in his life. He mentioned how when Taylor Swift performed in New Jersey, there was a humorous 'Taylor Ham' meme about her that he had to explain to her. This 'Taylor Ham' is actually a type of breakfast meat that is loved by people in New Jersey.

Antonoff then delved into a spirited discussion about the ongoing 'Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll' debate in New Jersey. He explained how different regions within the state argue over whether to refer to the meat as 'pork roll' or 'Taylor Ham.' Interestingly, Antonoff revealed that he personally doesn't have a preference since he doesn't eat pork for breakfast.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the intriguing backstory of the hit song "We Are Young" by Fun., shedding light on its connection to Kanye West and Taylor Swift. It reveals that the song was initially intended for Kanye West and Jay-Z's album "Watch the Throne" but was ultimately rejected due to its pop-oriented sound. The article also touches upon the personal relationship between Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift, hinting at a possible connection between their friendship and the song's exclusion from the album.

The article highlights the complex web of relationships and creative decisions that shape the music industry. It explores the tension between artistic vision and commercial appeal, and how personal connections can influence the trajectory of a song's success. The article also sheds light on the ongoing debate over regional culinary preferences, showcasing the cultural diversity and local pride that exists within the United States.