Karma (2024 song)

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"Karma's a Bitch" redirects here. For the TV show, see Karma's a B*tch.
"Karma"
A fuzzy, red-toned image is illuminated by a vertical column of light cast on the bejeweled left eye of a young woman.
Single by JoJo Siwa
ReleasedApril 5, 2024 (2024-04-05)
Genre
Length3:07
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
JoJo Siwa singles chronology
"Nonstop"
(2020) 		"Karma"
(2024)

Two versions of a song produced by American record production duo Rock Mafia, which consists of musicians Tim James and Antonina Armato were released in April 2024. The first version was released as a single by American singer JoJo Siwa on April 5 as "Karma"; the second version, a demo recorded in 2012, was released as a single by American singer Brit Smith nine days later as "Karma's a Bitch".

Musically, the song is a dance-pop and EDM track about a woman who cheats and later seeing it as karma when her girlfriend finds someone new. Following the release of Siwa's song, Smith's music video for the demo began to go viral on social media, which gained her media attention.

JoJo Siwa version

Background and release

"As I got older, I really wanted to create stuff that was gonna make the world say, 'What the hell?' And the fun thing is with 'Karma', I wanted this first breakout adult moment ... to make people's heads turn."

— Siwa at a listening party prior to the song's official release.[1]

JoJo Siwa began her career as a child star on the reality TV series Dance Moms, where she appeared from the show's fifth season to its eighth, and later found fame through her YouTube channel and her collaborations with Nickelodeon, around the time she released songs such as "Boomerang".[2] She came out as queer in January 2021 and dated two women in 2022.[3]

On March 12, 2024, Siwa teased "Karma" with a viewer discretion warning on social media, stating that it was "not made for children" and "may be disturbing or offensive to some viewers". She posted the title of "Karma" on social media on March 18, 2024 along with a snippet of the song,[4] which received negative publicity.[citation needed] Siwa stated that the Internet had "taken [her] through the frickin' wringer" while teasing the song.[5]

Siwa appeared at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards in a black mesh bodysuit, a fauxhawk, and makeup inspired by American rock band Kiss, where she compared her rebrand to that of Miley Cyrus in 2013 during the release of her album Bangerz.[2][6] Charlie Duncan of PinkNews described it as a "fairly jarring rebrand", while Sydney Brasil of Exclaim! opined that "she looks the same as she once did, just in darker colours".[7][8] The look became an Internet meme.[9] Siwa called "Karma" her "first breakout adult moment" after performing for 11 years with a child-friendly image. The song was released as a single on April 5, 2024.[1]

Composition

"Karma" is an upbeat dance-pop[2] and EDM song,[10] its lyrics about a protagonist regretting having cheated on her significant other after getting caught.[6][11] Strings accompany Siwa throughout the song, specifically at its beginning. In its chorus, she sings, "Karma's a bitch, I should've known better/If I had a wish, I would've never effed around".[2]

Reception

"Karma" was panned by music critics, criticizing the song and Siwa's reinvention of her brand and aesthetic.[10] Ivan Guzman, writing for Paper, called the song "raucous" and "early 2010s-esque", while drag queen Aquaria compared the song to "early-2010s Jeffree Star".[10] For Exclaim!, Sydney Brasil labelled the song as "poorly produced" with "no real hook" and wrote that Siwa did not seem fully committed to her "new ['bad girl'] persona".[8] Jason P. Frank of Vulture wrote that "Karma" had "a thumping, uninspired beat" and "faux-edgy lyrics [...] performed with all the conviction of the elementary-age students who used to be her fans".[11]

Music video

The music video for "Karma" was filmed in March 2024 & directed by Siwa with Marc Klasfeld, with choreography by Richy Jackson.[1][12] Siwa pitched the concept and choreography for the music video a year before its release. It stars Alexis Warr, the winner of So You Think You Can Dance's 17th season, on which Siwa was a judge. The music video contains lesbian themes throughout.[3]

In the video, Siwa first appears in the same black bodysuit and makeup as at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. She is shown on a desert island, caressing another woman who is in a red sparkly bodysuit. She is then on a boat, where she is shown in a love triangle between the woman from the island and another woman, played by Warr, before again appearing on the island, where she humps the first woman.[6]

The video was met with negative reviews from critics. Hannah Dailey of Billboard called the video "truly wild" and wrote that it "marks an extreme departure from [her] kid-friendly persona".[2] As of April 16, 2024, the video has amassed over 23 million views on YouTube.

Brit Smith version

"Karma's a Bitch"
Single by Brit Smith
ReleasedApril 14, 2024
Recorded2012
LabelBrit Smith LLC
Songwriter(s)Rock Mafia
Producer(s)Rock Mafia
Timbaland
Music Video
"Karma's a Bitch" on YouTube

"Karma's a Bitch" is a single by American singer Brit Smith. It was produced by Rock Mafia and Timbaland in 2012, but was eventually scrapped. It was released on April 14, 2024 independently.[13] The song garnered attention on TikTok before its official release after the then unreleased song and music video originally uploaded in 2012 and to Vimeo on March 20, 2013[14] went viral on TikTok thanks to JoJo Siwa's 2024 recording.[15]

Background

Smith originally recorded the song in 2012 as her debut single. However her label encouraged her to release the song "Provocative" instead in 2013. After the song underperformed Smith left the music industry.[16][17][13]

Composition

Smith's version of the song was originally produced by Rock Mafia for the Miley Cyrus album Can't Be Tamed (2010), she passed on it and Smith then recorded it to her liking. She then added more production to the song with Timbaland.[18][19]

Music video

The music video was directed by Marc Klasfield; who also directed the video for Siwa's version, it was shot in post production according to Smith. It features Smith at a church, club and in her bedroom as she attempts to get a guy back after she is caught cheating.[20]

Critical reception

Smith's version of "Karma" garnered a positive reception online compared to Siwa's version, which was professionally released first. Smith's version received praise for it's 'banging hook' and production by Timbaland.[21]

Chart performance

The song debuted at number 8 on the U.S iTunes chart, placing higher than Jojo Siwa's recording which peaked at number 89 on the chart, according to Forbes.[13]

Other versions

Miley Cyrus allegedly recorded an unreleased demo of the song, originally titled "Karma's a Bitch", for her album Can't Be Tamed, but it was scrapped due to Cyrus's contract with Disney at the time.[22][23] In 2012, singer Brit Smith recorded her version of the song, originally produced by Rock Mafia and Timbaland[24] and made a music video. However, it was not officially released back then and the rights were later sold to Siwa.[25] Smith's music video was uploaded to YouTube and subsequently went viral on TikTok following Siwa's release,[26] prompting Smith to officially release her recording to streaming platforms on April 14, 2024.[27]

Charts

Chart performance for "Karma"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 100
Ireland (IRMA)[29] 93
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[30] 24
UK Singles (OCC)[31] 76
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[32] 22
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[33] 5

References

  1. ^ a b c Paul, Larisha (April 5, 2024). "JoJo Siwa Is All Grown Up on New Single 'Karma'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Dailey, Hannah (April 5, 2024). "JoJo Siwa Unleashes 'Bad Girl' Rocker Persona in Wild Yacht Party 'Karma' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kile, Meredith B. (April 4, 2024). "JoJo Siwa Talks Viral Single 'Karma' and Navigating Her New Era". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Delgado, Sara (March 12, 2024). "JoJo Siwa's First 'Not Made for Children' Single Is Called 'Karma'". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Tanaka, Stefanie (April 5, 2024). "Jojo Siwa Opens Up About New Song 'Karma,' Drastic Rebrand, Miley Cyrus Inspiration & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Wratten, Marcus (April 5, 2024). "JoJo Siwa's raunchy lesbian 'Karma' music video sets internet alight". PinkNews. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Duncan, Charlie (April 3, 2024). "JoJo Siwa wants a Miley Cyrus Bangerz 'moment' amid bad girl rebrand". PinkNews. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Brasil, Sydney (April 5, 2024). "Karma Is Not JoJo Siwa's Girlfriend". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Rodriguez, Mathew (April 5, 2024). "JoJo Siwa's 'Karma' Video Features Her New KISS-Inspired Look and Lots of Humping". Them. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Guzman, Ivan (April 5, 2024). "JoJo Siwa Is Here To Make History". Paper. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Frank, Jason P.; Alter, Rebecca (April 5, 2024). "Is JoJo Siwa's 'Karma' a Flop or a Flop?". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  12. ^ Fern, Matthew (April 4, 2024). "Richy Jackson Elevates JoJo Siwa's Artistic Vision in 'Karma' Music Video" (Press release). Los Angeles: WAVY-TV. EIN Presswire. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Murray, Conor (April 15, 2024). "Artist Who Recorded JoJo Siwa's 'Karma' A Decade Ago Goes Viral—And Outcharts Siwa On iTunes". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Super77tv (March 20, 2013). Brit Smith "Karma's a Bitch". Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Vimeo.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "OMG! Brit Smith officially releases Karma's A B*tch on streaming after the JoJo Siwa drama". The Tab. April 15, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  16. ^ "Brit Smith shares how she originally recorded Jojo Siwa's 'Karma' back in 2012 (Video) | Page Six". April 12, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Swain, Alizabeth (April 11, 2024). "Did JoJo Siwa Write 'Karma'? There's a Surprising Connection to Miley Cyrus". Distractify. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  18. ^ "Brit Smith shares how she originally recorded Jojo Siwa's 'Karma' back in 2012 (Video) | Page Six". April 12, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  19. ^ "Why are fans accusing JoJo Siwa of stealing 'Karma?'". Yahoo News. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  20. ^ "Brit Smith shares how she originally recorded Jojo Siwa's 'Karma' back in 2012 (Video) | Page Six". April 12, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  21. ^ Martinez, Ash (April 10, 2024). "Brit Smith's 'Karma' song, explained". We Got This Covered. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  22. ^ Patrick, Holly (April 10, 2024). "Fans suspect Jojo Siwa's new song is scrapped Miley Cyrus hit". The Independent. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  23. ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (April 8, 2024). "Erm, so JoJo Siwa's new single is apparently an old Miley Cyrus song from 2011!?". The Tab. Tab Media Ltd. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  24. ^ Smith, Brit [@BritSmith] (July 13, 2012). "Big thanks to @Timbaland and @Rock_Mafia for a great collaboration on #karmasabitch" (Tweet). Retrieved April 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Flaherty, Eileen (April 10, 2024). "JoJo Siwa's "Karma" Was Sung By Another Artist In 2012 & TikTok Is Shook". Her Campus. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  26. ^ Murray, Conor. "Artist Who Recorded JoJo Siwa's 'Karma' A Decade Ago Goes Viral—And Outcharts Siwa On iTunes". Forbes. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  27. ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (April 15, 2024). "OMG! Brit Smith officially releases Karma's A B*tch on streaming after the JoJo Siwa drama". The Tab. Tab Media Ltd. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  28. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  29. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  30. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  31. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  32. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  33. ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs: Week of April 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
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