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Poppin (KSI song)

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"Poppin"
Cartoon illustrations of KSI, Lil Pump and Smokepurpp, dressed in green clothing and equipped with swords, in the centre of a blue background. The title "Poppin" appears in large yellow font at the top, with the artists' names in small yellow font above.
Single by KSI featuring Lil Pump and Smokepurpp
from the album Dissimulation
Released27 March 2020 (2020-03-27)
GenreHip hop
Length3:33
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Diego Ave
  • Go Grizzly
  • Mally Mall
  • OG Tint
KSI singles chronology
"Wake Up Call"
(2020) 		"Poppin"
(2020) 		"Houdini"
(2020)
Lil Pump singles chronology
"Coronao Now"
(2019) 		"Poppin"
(2020) 		"Illuminati"
(2020)
Smokepurpp singles chronology
"What I Please"
(2019) 		"Poppin"
(2020) 		"Off My Chest"
(2020)
Music video
"Poppin" on YouTube

"Poppin" is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI from his debut studio album, Dissimulation (2020). The song features guest appearances from American rappers Lil Pump and Smokepurpp. It was produced by Diego Ave, Go Grizzly and Mally Mall. The song was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 27 March 2020 as the third single from the album. It is a hip hop track with elements of mumble rap and trap. The song's lyrics are about flexing, mostly money and expensive jewellery.

"Poppin" received positive reviews from music critics, who commonly praised the instrumental's bounciness and the rappers' fast-paced flow. The song reached the singles charts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. An accompanying music video was released on 3 April 2020. The video places the three rappers in a crowded underground club setting, filled with dancing. KSI hosted a competition called the "Poppin Challenge", which gave fans the chance to appear on a remix of the song on the deluxe edition of the album.

Writing and production

"Poppin" was produced by American record producers Diego Ave, Go Grizzly and Mally Mall.[1] Smokepurpp wrote and recorded to the instrumental, but "left it because he didn't really know what he was doing with it". KSI was played the instrumental with Smokepurpp's vocals during a recording studio session with the song's producers in Los Angeles, United States. KSI thought it was "sick" and asked if he could "do something with [it]". KSI wrote and recorded both a chorus and a verse for "Poppin", which "Smokepurpp liked a lot". KSI and his music management decided to have an additional artist feature on "Poppin" to "make it even bigger", resulting in the addition of a verse by Lil Pump. They chose Lil Pump because they "wanted something playful" and "it made sense to have him on the track".[2]

Music and lyrics

"Poppin"
A 24-second sample of the chorus, performed by KSI and Smokepurpp. They use a fast-paced and sharp delivery, over a bouncy instrumental.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Poppin" is a hyperactive hip hop track with elements of mumble rap and trap.[3][4][5] Constructed in verse–chorus form, the song runs for 3 minutes and 33 seconds (3:33). The instrumental uses a sample from "Death" by Mica Levi, taken from the soundtrack of the film Under the Skin (2013).[6]

The song's lyrics centre around flexing, mostly money and expensive jewellery.[7] KSI told Apple Music, "We really just wanted to drop a bunch of cool flows on this [song]... and just have some fun with it."[8] KSI admitted, "[It's] not a super serious song, but that doesn't mean it can't also be a banger."[7] KSI and Smokepurpp perform the chorus.[9] Lil Pump performs the first verse. In his verse, Lil Pump makes reference to both the then-topical global pandemic of Coronavirus and the past epidemic of Ebola virus, with the lyrics, "Look at my wrist, Corona / My neck got Ebola".[7] Speaking on Lil Pump's lyrics, KSI recalled, "I just burst out laughing when I heard it. I was like, 'Of course Lil Pump did a corona line, of course.'"[7] KSI told Apple Music, "[His lyrics] can be wild, but I don't think anyone would find them offensive. I mean, it's Lil Pump. No one's going to be like, 'I can't believe he just said that!' Because it's Lil Pump, it's not really that deep."[8] KSI performs the second verse and Smokepurpp performs the third.[9] KSI explained the meaning of his lyrics for an episode of Genius' video interview series "Verified", released on 8 May 2020.[1]

Release and promotion

On 18 March 2020, KSI announced via Twitter that he would be releasing a new single in the next week.[10] Shortly after, he posted the song's cover art to his social media pages, revealing that the song is titled "Poppin" and features Lil Pump and Smokepurpp, and the song was made available to pre-order on digital download services and pre-save on streaming services.[11][12][13] The cover art was designed by Chadwick Mäkelä and depicts the three rappers as cartoon comic book characters, dressed in green clothing and equipped with swords, in front of a blue background.[14] "Poppin" was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 27 March 2020 as the third single from KSI's debut studio album, Dissimulation (2020).[15][16] The song was accompanied by the release of an audio video to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day.[17]

On 30 March 2020, KSI announced via social media that he would be hosting a competition called the "Poppin Challenge". He asked fans to record their own verse for "Poppin" and the best verse, decided by public vote, would replace Lil Pump's verse on a remix of the song which would appear on the deluxe edition of the album.[7][18] KSI watched competition entries in two reaction videos uploaded to YouTube on 4 and 9 April 2020, respectively.[19][20] KSI nominated his 13 favourite entries for the public poll, which received 854,435 votes.[21] On 17 April 2020, KSI announced that American YouTuber and rapper Crypt was the winner of the competition with 235,096 votes.[7][22]

Critical reception

"Poppin" was met with positive reviews from music critics. In his review for HotNewHipHop, Mitch Findlay called the song "gaudy". He wrote, "Lil Pump sets things off on an energetic note. His flow is in fine form, outlandish in its disregard to etiquette yet all the better for it." Findlay praised KSI for "proving himself to be a capable emcee once more" and "boasting the most dexterous flow on the track". Commenting on the choice of featured artists, Finday wrote, "Though one might be tempted to cry out, 'liability', don't underestimate their crafty, albeit base, nature."[9] Writing for Insider, Kat Tenbarge said that the song has "a relentless beat that could easily accompany a sweaty night at a college pre-game, a nightclub track list, or a viral TikTok dance".[7] The staff of Grungecake called "Poppin" a "bouncy record" and noted that there are "stellar lyrical deliveries from all artists".[23] GRM Daily's Courtney Wynter said that the song "carries a punchy vibe as a result of the bass-heavy production and the sharp delivery from [the three artists]".[24] Jeremy Randrup of Inlander liked the song's "fast-paced flow and rhyme scheme".[25] Writing for i, Nick Duerden remarked that "Poppin" is "a curiously convincing slice of Californian hip-hop [for] someone [KSI] who was born and raised in Watford, [England]".[3]

Music video

The music video for "Poppin" was directed by TajvsTaj.[23] It was filmed in Los Angeles in March 2020.[26] A trailer for the music video was released on 1 April 2020.[27] The music video was released to KSI's YouTube channel one week after the release of the song on 3 April 2020.[26][28] A behind-the-scenes video of the music video shoot was uploaded to the channel on 10 April 2020.[29] The music video stars the three rappers in a crowded underground club setting, filled with dancing.[23][26] Also in the club are American actress Michelle Hayden, Canadian-American actor and internet personality King Bach, record producers Mally Mall and Diego Ave, and Korean-American hip hop dancer Bailey Sok.[23] Grungecake called Sok's dancing "incredible" and said that she "intensifies the performance for [the music video]".[23]

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom, "Poppin" debuted at number 43 on the UK Singles Chart, narrowly missing out on the top 40.[30] The song spent two weeks on the chart.[30] "Poppin" spent three weeks on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart, debuting at number 23, and it charted at number four on the UK Independent Singles Chart.[31][32] On 10 July 2020, the Official Charts Company reported that "Poppin" was the 23rd best-selling song to not reach the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart of the first half of 2020.[33] In Ireland, "Poppin" debuted at number 52 on the Irish Singles Chart, narrowly missing out on the top 50, and spent two weeks on the chart.[34]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[35]

  • KSI – songwriter, vocals
  • Lil Pump – songwriter, vocals
  • Smokepurpp – songwriter, vocals
  • Diego Ave – producer, songwriter
  • Go Grizzly – producer, songwriter
  • Mally Mall – producer, songwriter
  • OG Tint – producer
  • Michalis Michael – mixer
  • Henkka Niemistö – masterer

Charts

Chart performance for "Poppin"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[34] 52
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[36] 13
Scotland (OCC)[37] 25
UK Singles (OCC)[38] 43
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[31] 23
UK Indie (OCC)[32] 4

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Poppin"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 27 March 2020
[15]

References

  1. ^ a b "KSI Breaks Down The Meaning Of 'Poppin'". Genius. 8 May 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  2. ^ Murray, Robin (24 July 2020). "'I'm Able To Give People What They Want!' Clash Meets KSI". Clash. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b Duerden, Nick (15 April 2020). "KSI: 'My motto is this: prove people wrong'". i. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  4. ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (1 June 2020). "KSI: 'A YouTuber doing music leaves a sour taste in people's mouths. They despise it'". NME. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  5. ^ Coombs, Charlie (28 May 2020). "KSI's Dissimulation brings YouTube trap to the mainstream". Thred. Archived from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  6. ^ "KSI feat. Lil Pump and Smokepurpp's 'Poppin' sample of Mica Levi's 'Death'". WhoSampled. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Tenbarge, Kat (22 April 2020). "KSI conquered YouTube and boxing. Now, he wants to break the mold of 'YouTuber music,' and blow 'trash' musicians like the Paul brothers out of the water". Insider. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Dissimulation by KSI / Editors' notes". Apple Music. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b c Findlay, Mitch (27 March 2020). "KSI Unites With Lil Pump & Smokepurpp On Gaudy "Poppin"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  10. ^ KSI [@KSI] (18 March 2020). "New single coming out next week. Clue of the song name and feature here" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 March 2020 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ KSI [@KSI] (18 March 2020). "Out next week lmao. Pre order/pre save now" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 March 2020 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ KSI (18 March 2020). "Popping ft @lilpump and @smokepurpp Link in bio". Retrieved 27 March 2020 – via Instagram.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "KSI to Release New Single, 'Poppin' Featuring Lil Pump, Smokepurpp on March 27th". EIN News. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  14. ^ Mäkelä, Chadwick (18 March 2020). "💚💥⚔️ lil drawing for @smokepurpp @ksi @lilpump 'Poppin'". Retrieved 27 March 2020 – via Instagram.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ a b RBC Records [@RBCRecords] (27 March 2020). "Get you quarantine #Poppin and listen to the new single from @KSIOlajidebt , @lilpumpjetskiho & @smokepurpp . #Poppin is now available on @AppleMusic , @Spotify & all other streaming platforms. https://ksi.ffm.to/poppin" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "US: KSI releases new single 'Poppin' featuring Lil Pump and Smokepurpp". BMG. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  17. ^ "KSI – Poppin (feat. Lil Pump & Smokepurpp)". 27 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ KSI [@KSI] (30 March 2020). "Got a big one for you #poppinchallenge" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 March 2020 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "This Challenge Is HILARIOUS..." 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Who's Winning The Poppin Challenge?". 9 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Campbell, Joel (2 May 2020). "KSI ready to drop his album". The Voice. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  22. ^ "The Winner Of The Poppin Challenge Is..." 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ a b c d e "English rapper KSI enlists Lil Pump and Smokepurpp for 'Poppin': Watch". Grungecake. 6 April 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  24. ^ Wynter, Courtney (3 April 2020). "KSI Gives Visual Treatment To "Poppin" Featuring Lil Pump & Smokepurpp". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  25. ^ Randrup, Jeremy (9 June 2020). "Review: KSI's Dissimulation marks a serious leap forward for the London rapper". Inlander. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  26. ^ a b c "KSI Releases New Music Video for Single, "Poppin" Featuring Lil Pump, Smokepurpp". EIN News. 3 April 2020. Archived from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Poppin Music Video Trailer". 1 April 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "KSI – Poppin (feat. Lil Pump & Smokepurpp) [Official Music Video]". 3 April 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ "KSI – Poppin (feat. Lil Pump & Smokepurpp) [Behind The Scenes]". 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ a b "KSI | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ a b "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  33. ^ "40 songs you slept on in the first half of 2020, including Celeste, Tom Grennan and Madison Beer". Official Charts Company. 10 July 2020. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Irish-charts.com – Discography KSI". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  35. ^ "KSI / Poppin (feat. Lil Pump & Smokepurpp) / Credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  36. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
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