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Thick of It (KSI song)

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"Thick of It"
KSI standing among a crowd of copies of Trippie Redd.
Standard cover[a]
Single by KSI featuring Trippie Redd
Released3 October 2024
Genre
Length2:40
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ray Michael Djan Jr.
KSI singles chronology
"Easy"
(2023) 		"Thick of It" / "Low"
(2024) 		"Dirty"
(2024)
Trippie Redd singles chronology
"LGLG"
(2024) 		"Thick of It"
(2024)
Music video
"Thick of It" on YouTube

"Thick of It" is a song by English internet personality and musician KSI featuring American rapper and singer Trippie Redd. This is the second collaboration between the two following "Wake Up Call". "Thick of It" was released for digital download and streaming via Warner Music Group and Atlantic Records on 3 October 2024 alongside the song "Low".[1] The song received overwhelming mockery from audiences and negative criticism following the recent Lunchly controversy but was a commercial success, reaching number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[2][3] A remix featuring fellow American rapper NLE Choppa was later released on 1 November 2024, Choppa's 22nd birthday. "Thick Of It" combines trap music with emo pop-pop rap and was based on the recent backlash towards KSI.

Background and production

Produced by Ran Michael Djan Jr., the song samples "Snow (Hey Oh)" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.[4] The second collaboration between KSI and Trippie Redd,[4] it was recorded and released during the development of KSI's third album.[5]

Composition and lyrical interpretation

The song was based on the recent backlash directed to KSI. The song has been described as trap, emo pop-pop rap.[5][6] In an interview with Clash, KSI described the song as being about "my life, what's going on, where I'm at and where I want to go," to "bring the listeners up to speed".[7][8]The song is written in the key of B minor, with a tempo of 146 beats per minute.[9]

Promotion and release

The song was first previewed on 31 August 2024 at MF & DAZN: X Series 17 as a part of KSI's special concert.[10] On 3 October, KSI released "Thick of It" alongside "Low", another single, for download and streaming through Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group.[1][5] The song's release succeeded KSI's feud with content creator DanTDM in the wake of the controversy surrounding Lunchly, a product he co-founded in partnership with MrBeast and Logan Paul.[11] Following backlash against his response from the YouTube community, KSI posted a tweet linking to the song while purporting it as an apology.[11]

Critical reception

Upon release, the song went viral. It garnered over 5 million views within three days, with Stephen Johnson of Lifehacker declaring it the "Viral video of the week" on 7 October.[11] The song peaked at number one on YouTube's Trending for Music chart, accumulating over 11 million views despite receiving a negative reception upon release,[3] with general audiences and content creators criticising and mocking the song on social media.[11][12][13][14]

Criticism regarding the song included its lyrics and beat, and the song was described as "generic" and "lacking in substance."[2][12][14] Rapper Drake commented that the song was a "banger", although interpreted sarcastically.[7] Following the comment in Adin Ross's live stream, he went on to use the song on one of his Instagram Reels.[15] In a post authored by Trippie Redd, he stated "I was held hostage to do this. If this doesn’t hit 20 million views the first month, KSI won’t let me go. Please free me."[16]

Website Distractify published an article titled "Why Do People Hate KSI's New Song "Thick of It"?". The article talked about the song's recent hate and pointed out that "the song's music video has more dislikes on YouTube than the trailer for the new Minecraft live-action film — and we all know how unpopular that was." The publication concluded that the recent hate was "not because of his song, but his public figure as a whole", adding it may have been largely influenced by the Lunchly controversy,[17] in which himself, alongside MrBeast and Logan Paul are top brand ambassadors.

Elias Andrews of HotNewHipHop wrote that the song "lacks any real song structure, and consensus is that KSI raps about as convincingly as Ed Sheeran (not a compliment)."[13] Popular live streamers including Adin Ross had invited KSI to his livestream and criticised the song. Trippie Redd joked that he was "held hostage" in making the song.[18] On the other hand, Music website HipHopCanada displayed a positive review, honoring the song with its "confident vibe".[19]

KSI reacted multiple times to the song's backlash, first responding with a video titled "I'm getting cooked..."[20] He also posted on X that the hate towards his song was "not funny" and posted another video reacting to TikTok clips of the song and expressing that the hatred was forced.[21] In an interview with Capital, he expressed frustration with the hate. "Because music, you spend a lot of time, mind, body and soul into a piece of art, then you put that into the world then you've got people being like, 'AH TRASH, YOU SUCK. TURN THAT OFF. CRINGE' ", he added.[22]

Credits and personnel

  • KSI – songwriting, vocals
  • Trippie Redd – songwriting, vocals
  • Ray Michael Djan Jr. – songwriting, producer, programmer
  • Anthony Kiedis – songwriting
  • Billy Crabtree – songwriting, backing vocals
  • Chad Smith – songwriting
  • Flea – songwriting
  • John Frusciante – songwriting
  • Joseph Baxter – songwriting, additional guitar
  • Miles Gould – songwriting, additional guitar
  • Vivan Proton Bellinfantie – songwriting, backing vocals
  • Stuart Hawkes – mastering
  • Geoff Swan – mixing

Charts

Chart performance for "Thick of It"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[23] 29
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[24] 3
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[25] 31
Global 200 (Billboard)[26] 71
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[27] 28
Ireland (IRMA)[28] 14
Lebanon Airplay (Lebanese Top 20)[29] 12
Netherlands (Single Tip)[30] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[31] 18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 17
Norway (VG-lista)[33] 17
Singapore (RIAS)[34] 28
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[35] 48
UK Singles (OCC)[36] 6
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[37] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 64
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[39] 21

The song was KSI's ninth Top 10 single in official charts.[40]

Notes

  1. ^ The artwork for the NLE Choppa remix has KSI standing among a crowd of copies of people who are wearing green instead of red.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Thick of It"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
Various 3 October 2024
Original
[1][41]
8 October 2024 All Speeds Considered (Sped Up and Slowed Down) [42]
1 November 2024 NLE Choppa Remix [43]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Thick of It / Low". Apple Music. 3 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b Shukla, Matrika (8 October 2024). "KSI faces backlash over new single "Thick of It" amidst growing criticism: Details inside". Business Upturn USA. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b Gutelle, Sam (11 October 2024). "Have you heard? KSI got trolled by Drake". Tubefilter. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b Patrdige, Ken (4 October 2024). "KSI Teams Up With Trippie Redd For New Song "Thick Of It"". Genius. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Stickler, Jon (4 October 2024). "KSI Drops Two New Singles Thick Of It Featuring Trippie Redd And Low". Stereoboard. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  6. ^ "The KSI Hate". The Needle Drop. 16 October 2024. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Thick of It". Official Charts. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  8. ^ Hill, Andy (4 October 2024). ""People Are Praying For My Downfall" KSI In Conversation". Clash. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  9. ^ https://tunebat.com/Info/Thick-Of-It-feat-Trippie-Redd-KSI-Trippie-Redd/1xmvq1fYLs9TEgikaFilGW
  10. ^ "KSI concert tops unforgettable X Series 17 in Dublin". Ring News 24. 2 September 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d Johnson, Stephen (7 October 2024). "The Out-of-Touch Adults' Guide to Kid Culture: Mr. Beast's Many Controversies, Explained". Lifehacker. Archived from the original on 29 November 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  12. ^ a b "KSI Plays Into Hate to Keep Buzz Alive for New Single: "THE HATE ON MY MUSIC IS FORCED"". HipHopCanada. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  13. ^ a b Andrews, Elias (3 October 2024). "KSI Challenges Jake Paul To A Fight After His New Song Gets Roasted". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  14. ^ a b "KSI says it's trendy to hate him, urges fans to move on from backlash over new song 'Thick of It'". The Express Tribune. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  15. ^ "KSI and Trippie Redd reveal Drake's real DM reaction to new single Thick Of It". Official Charts. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  16. ^ "Despite Fan Backlash, KSI's Song "Thick Of It" Is Climbin..." Complex. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  17. ^ Noblitt, Elissa (23 October 2024). "Why Do People Hate KSI's New Song "Thick of It"?". Distractify. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  18. ^ Mahadevan, Tara (9 October 2024). "Drake Appears to Troll KSI's Viral Song "Thick of It" on Adin Ross' Stream". Complex. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  19. ^ Pete, Pistol (5 October 2024). "KSI and Trippie Redd Drop Fiery "Thick Of It" Video". HipHopCanada.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  20. ^ "'I'm Getting Cooked…' KSI Addresses Hate for "Thick Of It"". HipHopCanada. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  21. ^ Mahdevan, Tara (9 October 2024). "KSI Responds to Fans Hating on His Song, Trippie Redd Jokes About Being 'Held Hostage' for 'Thick of It'"". Complex. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  22. ^ "KSI addresses "onslaught" of criticism for his single 'Thick Of It'". Capital. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  23. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  24. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  25. ^ "KSI Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  26. ^ "KSI Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  27. ^ "Streymi, spilun og sala viku 42" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 18 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  28. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  29. ^ "OLT20 – Combined Chart – Week of Sunday November 28th, 2024". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 19/10/2024". MegaCharts. 19 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  31. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 43, 2024" [Tip parade list from week 43, 2024] (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. 26 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  32. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  33. ^ "Singel 2024 uke 42". VG-lista. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  34. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 42 (11 - 17 Oct 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on 22 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 42". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  36. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  37. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  38. ^ "KSI Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  39. ^ "KSI Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  40. ^ "KSI celebrates ninth Top 10 single Thick Of It with Official Top 10 Award". Official Charts. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  41. ^ "KSI hits back at TikTokers trolling new song 'Thick of It' featuring Trippie Redd | indy100". www.indy100.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  42. ^ "Thick of It [All Speeds Considered]". Apple Music. 8 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Thick of It (Remix)". Apple Music. 8 October 2024.
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