Space Cadet (song)
| "Space Cadet" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Metro Boomin featuring Gunna | ||||
| from the album Not All Heroes Wear Capes | ||||
| Released | January 29, 2019 | |||
| Length | 3:23 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Metro Boomin singles chronology | ||||
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| Gunna singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Space Cadet" on YouTube | ||||
"Space Cadet" is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin, featuring vocals from American rapper Gunna. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio through Boominati and Republic on January 29, 2019, as the second single of Metro's debut studio album, Not All Heroes Wear Capes (2018).[1]
Background
"Space Cadet" is primarily produced by Metro Boomin and Wheezy, with Allen Ritter as an additional producer. Meanwhile, the vocals are handled by Gunna, with background vocals at the end from American rapper and singer Travis Scott, a close friend and frequent collaborator of both Metro and Gunna. On the song, Gunna raps about his lavish lifestyle. It is mostly a reference to the Rolls-Royce Wraith, an expensive car that is known for its starry ceiling. A space cadet is a trainee astronaut.
It marks the second official collaboration between Metro and Gunna, following Gunna's 2018 song "Car Sick", which also features Canadian rapper Nav, who is a close friend and frequent collaborator of both artists. The song is from Gunna's commercial mixtape, Drip Season 3, to which Metro served as an executive producer on and also produced four other songs from the project, "Helluva Price", "Pedestrian", "My Soul", and "No Joke". Gunna also makes another appearance on the album alongside American rapper and label boss Young Thug on the song "Lesbian".
Critical reception
While talking about "Space Cadet", Alphonse Pierre from Pitchfork opined:
On "Space Cadet", Metro ushers Gunna into "The Twilight Zone" with a twinkling instrumental, and Gunna responds with one of the album's bounciest hooks. The "Space Cadet" instrumental, like so much of the album's production, feels cinematic but thankfully not far removed from his Atlanta-built sound.[2]
Commercial performance
The song debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Music video
The official music video for "Space Cadet" premiered on April 22, 2019. It was directed by Zac Facts.[3] Metro Boomin and Gunna are dancing and floating around in lasers and bright lights, like a simulation of outer space. Young Thug, a close friend and frequent collaborator of both artists, makes a cameo appearance.[4]
Live performances
On February 11, 2019, Metro Boomin and Gunna performed the song live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[5] In tribute of American rapper 21 Savage, a longtime close friend and frequent collaborator of Metro, the latter wore a jacket with the words "Free 21 Savage".[6] The rapper was in jail at the time of the performance for illegally being in the United States of America, but was released the following day.[7]
Charts
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] | 40 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 51 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 31 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[11] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[12] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | November 2, 2018 |
|
[13] | |
| United States | January 29, 2019 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [1] |
References
- ^ a b "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases - R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates". All Access. January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (November 7, 2018). "Metro Boomin: Not All Heroes Wear Capes - Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Metro Boomin - Space Cadet ft. Gunna". YouTube. April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Metro Boomin and Gunna are Flex-tra Terrestrials In 'Space Cadet' Video". MTV. April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
- ^ "Space Cadet (Live On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon / 2019)". YouTube. March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
- ^ "Metro Boomin And Gunna Show Support For 21 Savage in 'Fallon' Performance". MTV. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ Andrews, Travis (February 3, 2019). "Rapper 21 Savage arrested by ICE agents, who say he's from the United Kingdom, not Atlanta". Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Metro Boomin – Space Cadet". Music Canada. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – Metro Boomin – Space Cadet". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Space Cadet (feat. Gunna) by Metro Boomin on Apple Music". Retrieved January 29, 2019 – via Apple Music.
