Million Dollar Baby (Tommy Richman song)

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"Million Dollar Baby"
Single by Tommy Richman
ReleasedApril 26, 2024 (2024-04-26)
Genre
Length2:35
Label
  • ISO Supremacy
  • Pulse
Songwriter(s)Tommy Richman
Producer(s)
  • Max Vossberg
  • Jonah Roy
  • Mannyvelli
  • Sparkheem
  • Kavi
Tommy Richman singles chronology
"Selfish"
(2024) 		"Million Dollar Baby"
(2024)
Visualizer
"Million Dollar Baby" on YouTube

"Million Dollar Baby" is a song by American singer and rapper Tommy Richman. It was released on April 26, 2024, through ISO Supremacy and Pulse Records. It was written by Richman with production credits from Max Vossberg, Jonah Roy, Mannyvelli, Sparkheem and Kavi.

With no established commercial history prior, Richman revealed snippets of the song on TikTok. Building on the teasers' great popularity, "Million Dollar Baby" garnered immediate commercial success upon its April release, becoming Richman's breakthrough hit. It debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in his home country, as well as reaching the top five in more than ten countries. Critics acclaimed the song for its unique, catchy sound and Richman's vocals; some deemed it an imminent contender for song of the summer.

Background[edit]

After having moved from his hometown of Woodbridge, Virginia to Los Angeles in 2022, Richman quickly garnered attention for his "signature production style" without being confined to "genre labels". In 2023, he was recognized by American musician Brent Faiyaz with whom he embarked on his F*ck the World tour that also exposed him to a larger audience.[1] Richman was then signed to Faiyaz's label Iso Supremacy through a joint venture with Pulse Records as the first signee.[2]

Following a string of single releases under the label, Richman started teasing "Million Dollar Baby" on his social media on April 22, 2024, and posted footage of recording sessions using a "VHS-style recording".[3] The snippet amassed over 9.5 million views on TikTok in less than a week,[4] and helped give it an "explosive debut".[5] Richman described the sound as "palatable and listenable" and referred to it as something he likes and is "interested in". His goal was to "make cool shit for people" and for him.[6] Post-release, the song received continued popularity on the platform: Forbes reported that it had become the soundtrack to several trends, including a dance challenge, "prom transition videos" and "the 'Black wife/girlfriend effect'... videos of Black women showing off how their partners’ styles have evolved since the start of their relationships".[7]

Composition[edit]

"Million Dollar Baby" is a "genre-bending" R&B, funk, and hip hop song which features influences of alternative rock, synth-pop, psychedelia and trap.[4][8][9][10][11] It features staccato synth lines, a "ridiculously bouncy" bassline and trap percussion; Richman's multi-tracked vocals range from a "pitched-down chant" to a "soaring falsetto".[8] The song consists of "one verse and two choruses", and is in the key of F-sharp minor with a tempo of 137 BPM.[8] The artist also released a "VHS" mix of the song, emulating the mix of the snippet posted to TikTok, which features a more "blown-out bass".[8] Lyrically, Richman sings about "cleaning up his act and making it big so he can win over his love interest".[better source needed]

Reception[edit]

Commercial[edit]

"Million Dollar Baby" became Tommy Richman's breakthrough hit, becoming immensely popular on streaming platforms: Billboard reported that the song had gained 4.6 million "on-demand US streams" on its release day (April 26, 2024).[12] On the chart dated May 11, 2024, the song debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, with "38 million streams, 302,000 in radio airplay audience and 4,000 sold", behind Taylor Swift and Post Malone's "Fortnight".[13] This became Richman's first entry, setting a record as the highest debut from an artist with no prior history on the chart since "Rich Men North of Richmond" by Oliver Anthony Music the previous year.[14]

"Million Dollar Baby" was also very successful globally, reaching the top five in multiple countries. The song reached number one in New Zealand;[15] number two in Australia and Latvia;[16][17] number three in the United Kingdom and Canada; number four in Lithuania; and number five in Ireland.[18][19] Billboard also reported that, following the song's success, the rest of Richman's catalog had received a "gain of 106%" in US streams (in the April 26-29 tracking period).[12]

Critical[edit]

The song received critical acclaim by critics. Jordan Rose of Complex called "Million Dollar Baby" a contender for "Song of the Summer" as Richman delivers his "most electric song so far".[20] Eric Skelton of the same publication praised its concise fullness, likening it to "dessert for dinner"; he also singled out the variety and production of Richman's vocals, commenting that "the Virginia singer layers his own voice on top of itself... in an endearingly self-indulgent way".[8] Likewise, Carl Lamarre at Billboard also thought the track was a "song of the summer" contender with its "its funky sound" and "seamless vocal riffs". Lamarre went on to praise the track for its "sticky hook" and "an undeniable bass".[4] Robin Murray of Clash highly praised it for "a ridiculously catchy hook, an effervescent beat, and some of Tommy’s catchiest bars".[21]

Writing for HotNewHipHop, Gabriel Bras Nevares pointed out the "creative blend of classic Southern trap" and "poppy" vocal passages with "melodic leads". Bras Nevares thought the song was the "boiling point" of the "steady build-up" Richman has had experienced up until that point, as he found out a way to "capitalize" on the best aspects of his "unique style". The writer furthermore described it as an "odd mix" between sounding "pretty hard" and "quite sophisticated".[22] Katherine St. Asaph of Stereogum acclaimed "Richman’s falsetto, the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis cowbell, and [the song's] slick funk with massive summer jam potential".[11]

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Million Dollar Baby"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[16] 2
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[23] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[24] 8
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 43
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100)[26] 51
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[19] 3
Croatia (Billboard)[27] 17
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[28] 14
Denmark (Tracklisten)[29] 7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[30] 35
France (SNEP)[31] 44
Germany (Official German Charts)[32] 11
Global 200 (Billboard)[33] 2
Hungary (Single Top 40)[34] 40
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[35] 3
Ireland (IRMA)[36] 5
Italy (FIMI)[37] 88
Latvia (LAIPA)[17] 2
Lithuania (AGATA)[38] 4
Luxembourg (Billboard)[39] 8
Malaysia (Billboard)[40] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[42] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[43] 4
Philippines (Billboard)[44] 4
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[45] 56
Portugal (AFP)[46] 33
Romania (Billboard)[47] 11
Singapore (RIAS)[48] 3
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[49] 5
South Africa (Billboard)[50] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[51] 17
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[52] 6
UAE (IFPI)[53] 11
UK Singles (OCC)[54] 3
UK Indie (OCC)[55] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 2
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[56] 35
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[57] 21

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Million Dollar Baby"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[58] Gold 15,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Val, Caroline (August 8, 2023). "Tommy Richman Hasn't Forgotten His DMV Roots". The Miami Times. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  2. ^ Lamarre, Carl (August 21, 2023). "PULSE Records Partners With Brent Faiyaz's Iso Supremacy, Signs Tommy Richman". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "I'm a million dollar baby". Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Instagram.
  4. ^ a b c Lamarre, Carl (April 29, 2024). "Here Are Six Things to Know About "Million Dollar Baby" Singer Tommy Richman". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Williams, Aaron (April 29, 2024). "Who Is Tommy Richman? Meet The "Million Dollar Baby" Singer". Uproxx. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  6. ^ McMahon, Jason (April 26, 2024). "Tommy Richman Releases New Single "Million Dollar Baby"". Substream Magazine. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Johnson, Arianna. "Why 'Million Dollar Baby' Debuted High On Music Charts—Despite Rap Beefs And Taylor Swift's Success". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e Skelton, Eric. "Tommy Richman's "Million Dollar Baby" Is an Instant Smash". Complex. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "The Rise of Tommy Richmans Viral Hit Million Dollar Baby - Neon Music - Digital Music Discovery & Showcase Platform". neonmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Tommy Richman Hits The Mainstream with "Million Dollar Baby"". sheeshmedia.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "The Dua Lipa Album Is... Fine?". Stereogum. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Unterberger, Kyle Denis,Jason Lipshutz,Andrew; Denis, Kyle; Lipshutz, Jason; Unterberger, Andrew (May 1, 2024). "Tommy Richman Scores a 'Million Dollar' Breakout Hit (And Sees a Catalog Boost) With Viral Single". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ a b c Trust, Gary (May 6, 2024). "Taylor Swift & Post Malone's 'Fortnight' Spends a Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  14. ^ Garcia, Thania (May 6, 2024). "Tommy Richman's 'Million Dollar Baby' Breaks Through at No. 2; Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso' Keeps Heating Up the Hot 100". Variety. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 13, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Straumēšanas TOP 2024 – 19. nedēļa" [Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 19] (in Latvian). LAIPA. May 13, 2024. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  18. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart on 3/5/2024". Official Charts. May 3, 2024. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of May 18, 2024". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  20. ^ Rose, Jordan (April 28, 2024). "Everything You Need to Know About Tommy Richman". Complex. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  21. ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; Murray, Robin (May 1, 2024). "Tommy Richman Shares Smash Hit 'Million Dollar Baby' | News". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ Bras Nevares, Gabriel (April 28, 2024). "Tommy Richman Becomes A "Million Dollar Baby" On New Single: Stream". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 13, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  26. ^ "Billboard Brasil Hot 100". Billboard Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  27. ^ {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2024-05-25/%7Ctitle=Croatia Songs: Week of May 25, 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 21, 2024}
  28. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202420 into search. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  29. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 20, 2024". Hitlisten. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  30. ^ "Tommy Richman: Million Dollar Baby" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  31. ^ "Top Singles (Week 20, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  32. ^ "Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  33. ^ Trust, Gary (May 13, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso,' Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Lead Billboard Global Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  34. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  35. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs - Week 20] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  36. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  37. ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 20" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  38. ^ "2024 19-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 10, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  39. ^ "Luxembourg Songs: Week of May 25, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  40. ^ "Luxembourg Songs: Week of May 25, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  41. ^ "Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  42. ^ "Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  43. ^ "Singel 2024 uke 20". VG-lista. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  44. ^ "Philippines Songs: Week of May 25, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  45. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 03.05.2024–09.05.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  46. ^ "Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  47. ^ {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/romania-songs-hotw/2024-05-25/%7Ctitle=Romania Songs: Week of May 25, 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 21, 2024}
  48. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 20 (10 - 16 May 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  49. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202420 into search. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  50. ^ "South Africa Songs: Week of May 25, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  51. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 20". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  52. ^ "Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  53. ^ "The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20 from 03/05/2024 to 09/05/2024". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  54. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  55. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  56. ^ "Pop Airplay: Week of May 25, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  57. ^ "Rhythmic Airplay: Week of May 25, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  58. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
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