King's Dead

"King's Dead"
"King's Dead"
Single by Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake
from the album Black Panther: The Album and Redemption
Released	January 11, 2018
Recorded	2017
Genre	Alternative hip hop; trap;
Length	3:50 2:40 (Jay Rock album version);
Label	TDE; Aftermath; Interscope;
Songwriter(s)	Kendrick Duckworth; Michael Williams; Travis Walton; Mark Spears; Johnny McKinzie; Nayvadius Wilburn; James Litherland; Samuel Gloade; Anthony Tiffith; Antwon Hicks; Axel Morgan;
Producer(s)	Mike Will Made It; Teddy Walton; Sounwave; 30 Roc[a]; Twon Beatz[a]; Axlfolie;
Jay Rock singles chronology
Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
Future singles chronology
James Blake singles chronology
Music video
	"King's Dead" on YouTube

"King's Dead" is a song by American rappers Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, and Future with English singer James Blake, from the soundtrack album of the Marvel Studios superhero film Black Panther and Jay Rock's third studio album Redemption.

It was released by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records on January 11, 2018, as both the soundtrack's second single and as the lead single from Redemption.^[4]^[5] The song is Jay Rock's first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.^[6] The song, along with "Bubblin" by Anderson .Paak, won Best Rap Performance, and was nominated for Best Rap Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Reception

Briana Younger of Pitchfork gave the song a positive review, calling the song "fun and swaggering".^[7]

Music video

The music video for the song was released to Rock's Vevo channel on YouTube on February 15, 2018. It was directed by Dave Free and Jack Begert.^[8]

Remixes

On March 8, 2018, American rappers Joey Badass and XXXTentacion released a remix of the song.^[9]

Personnel

Credits adapted from digital booklet.^[10]^{[better source needed]}

Performers

Jay Rock – vocals
Kendrick Lamar – vocals
Future – vocals
James Blake – vocals

Technical

Matt Schaeffer – record engineering, mix engineering
Mike Bozzi – master engineering
Eric Manco – record engineering

Production

Kendrick Lamar – production
Teddy Walton – production
Sounwave – additional production
30 Roc – uncredited co-production
Twon Beatz – uncredited co-production

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2018)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[11]	58
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[12]	23
Greece (IFPI Greece)^[13]	28
Ireland (IRMA)^[14]	51
Netherlands (Single Tip)^[15]	6
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)^[16]	4
Portugal (AFP)^[17]	64
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)^[18]	1
UK Singles (OCC)^[19]	50
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)^[20]	25
US Billboard Hot 100^[21]	21
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[22]	13
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[23]	33

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)	Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[24]	97
US Billboard Hot 100^[25]	79
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[26]	41

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)^[27]	Platinum	40,000^‡
Canada (Music Canada)^[28]	2× Platinum	160,000^‡
Poland (ZPAV)^[29]	Gold	25,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)^[30]	Silver	200,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[31]	3× Platinum	3,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label(s)	Ref.
Various	January 11, 2018	Digital download streaming	Top Dawg Aftermath Interscope	^[32]
United States	January 30, 2018	Rhythmic contemporary	Top Dawg Aftermath Interscope	^[33]

Notes

^{^[a]} signifies an uncredited co-producer

References

^ "BMI | Songview Search".^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "New Music by @jayrock x @kendricklamar x @future x @jamesblake "King Dead" (Prod.By ..." Instagram. Retrieved February 19, 2018.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "Axlfolie".
^ "Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, James Blake Debut 'King's Dead'". NPR. January 12, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
^ Puckett, Lily (January 11, 2018). "Jay Rock shares new song "King's Dead," featuring Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake". The Fader. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
^ Zellner, Xander (January 24, 2018). "Jay Rock Scores First Hot 100 Entry With Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake Collab 'King's Dead'". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
^ Younger, Briana (January 12, 2018). ""King's Dead" [ft. Kendrick Lamar, Future, & James Blake] by Jay Rock Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
^ William Cowen, Trace (February 16, 2018). "Here's the Video for Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake's "King's Dead"". Complex. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
^ "Joey Bada$$ and XXXTentacion link for "Kings Dead" remix". Elevatormag.com. March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
^ "Various Artists – Black Panther: The Album [Booklet]". Genius. Archived from the original on 2018-02-09. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
^ Ryan, Gavin (February 24, 2018). "Australian Charts: Drake 'God's Plan' Stays At No 1". Noise11. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
^ "Jay Rock Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
^ "Greece Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart: Feb 5, 2018". IFPI Charts. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Jay Rock". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Dutch Single Tip – 24/02/2018" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 22, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
^ "Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake – King's Dead". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
^ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 7, 16 februari 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
^ "Jay Rock Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
^ "Jay Rock Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
^ "Jay Rock Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
^ "Brazilian single certifications – Jay Rock – King's Dead" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Jay Rock – King's Dead". Music Canada. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
^ "British single certifications – Jay Rock – King's Dead". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
^ "American single certifications – Jay Rock – King's Dead". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
^ "King's Dead". iTunes. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
^ "Top 40/R Future Releases". Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.

External links

Audio on YouTube

[1] "BMI | Songview Search".^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[3R-2] "New Music by @jayrock x @kendricklamar x @future x @jamesblake "King Dead" (Prod.By ..." Instagram. Retrieved February 19, 2018.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[3] "Axlfolie".

[4] "Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, James Blake Debut 'King's Dead'". NPR. January 12, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.

[5] Puckett, Lily (January 11, 2018). "Jay Rock shares new song "King's Dead," featuring Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake". The Fader. Retrieved February 3, 2018.

[6] Zellner, Xander (January 24, 2018). "Jay Rock Scores First Hot 100 Entry With Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake Collab 'King's Dead'". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2018.

[7] Younger, Briana (January 12, 2018). ""King's Dead" [ft. Kendrick Lamar, Future, & James Blake] by Jay Rock Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 16, 2018.

[8] William Cowen, Trace (February 16, 2018). "Here's the Video for Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake's "King's Dead"". Complex. Retrieved February 16, 2018.

[9] "Joey Bada$$ and XXXTentacion link for "Kings Dead" remix". Elevatormag.com. March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.

[10] "Various Artists – Black Panther: The Album [Booklet]". Genius. Archived from the original on 2018-02-09. Retrieved February 9, 2018.

[11] Ryan, Gavin (February 24, 2018). "Australian Charts: Drake 'God's Plan' Stays At No 1". Noise11. Retrieved February 24, 2018.

[sc_Canada_Jay_Rock-12] "Jay Rock Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2018.

[13] "Greece Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart: Feb 5, 2018". IFPI Charts. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved March 8, 2018.

[sc_Ireland3_Jay_Rock-14] "Irish-charts.com – Discography Jay Rock". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 17, 2018.

[15] "Dutchcharts.nl – Dutch Single Tip – 24/02/2018" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 24, 2018.

[16] "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 22, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.

[sc_Portugal_Jay_Rock,_Kendrick_Lamar,_Future_&_James_Blake-17] "Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake – King's Dead". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 22, 2018.

[18] "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 7, 16 februari 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 17, 2018.

[sc_UK_-19] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2018.

[sc_UKrandb_-20] "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2018.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Jay_Rock-21] "Jay Rock Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2018.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Jay_Rock-22] "Jay Rock Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2018.

[sc_Billboardrhythmic_Jay_Rock-23] "Jay Rock Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.

[24] "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.

[25] "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.

[26] "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2019.

[BrazilJay_RockKing's_DeadsingleCertRef-27] "Brazilian single certifications – Jay Rock – King's Dead" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 28, 2024.

[CanadaJay_RockKing's_DeadsingleCertRef-28] "Canadian single certifications – Jay Rock – King's Dead". Music Canada. Retrieved April 26, 2018.

[PolandJay_RockKing's_DeadsingleCertRef-29] "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 16, 2021.

[United_KingdomJay_RockKing's_DeadsingleCertRef-30] "British single certifications – Jay Rock – King's Dead". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 27, 2021.

[United_StatesJay_RockKing's_DeadsingleCertRef-31] "American single certifications – Jay Rock – King's Dead". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

[itunes-32] "King's Dead". iTunes. Retrieved February 2, 2018.

[33] "Top 40/R Future Releases". Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.

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v t e Jay Rock
Discography
Studio albums	Follow Me Home (2011) 90059 (2015) Redemption (2018)
Mixtapes	Black Friday (2010)
Singles	"All My Life (In the Ghetto)" "Hood Gone Love It" "Money Trees Deuce" "King's Dead" "Win"
Promotional singles	"Parental Advisory" "Easy Bake"
Other songs	"Money Trees" "Vice City"
Related articles	Black Hippy

v t e James Blake
Discography Songs written and produced
Studio albums	James Blake (2011) Overgrown (2013) The Colour in Anything (2016) Assume Form (2019) Friends That Break Your Heart (2021) Playing Robots into Heaven (2023) Bad Cameo (2024)
EPs	The Bells Sketch (2010) CMYK (2010) Klavierwerke (2010) Enough Thunder (2011) Love What Happened Here (2011) 200 Press (2014) Before (2020) CMYK 002 (2024)
Singles	"Limit to Your Love" "The Wilhelm Scream" "Lindisfarne / Unluck" "Fall Creek Boys Choir" "A Case of You" "Retrograde" "Modern Soul" "King's Dead" "If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead" "Don't Miss It" "Mile High" "Barefoot in the Park" "You're Too Precious" "Say What You Will"
Other songs	"Stop Trying to Be God" "Can't Believe the Way We Flow" "I'll Come Too" "Hummingbird"
Related articles	Blake Works I Re:SET Concert Series
Category

v t e Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance
1980s	"Parents Just Don't Understand" – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (1988) "Bust a Move" – Young MC (1989)
2010s	"Otis" – Jay-Z & Kanye West (2011) "Niggas in Paris" – Jay-Z & Kanye West (2012) "Thrift Shop" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz (2013) "I" – Kendrick Lamar (2014) "Alright" – Kendrick Lamar (2015) "No Problem" – Chance the Rapper featuring Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz (2016) "Humble" – Kendrick Lamar (2017) "Bubblin" – Anderson .Paak / "King's Dead" – Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future & James Blake (2018) "Racks in the Middle" – Nipsey Hussle featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy (2019)
2020s	"Savage" – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé (2020) "Family Ties" – Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar (2021) "The Heart Part 5" – Kendrick Lamar (2022) "Scientists & Engineers" – Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future & Eryn Allen Kane (2023)
Between 1990–2010, the category was split into two categories Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.