"K-pop" is a song by American rapper Travis Scott, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, and Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released through Cactus Jack and Epic Records as the lead single from the former's fourth studio album, Utopia, on July 21, 2023.[1] It was written alongside producers Illangelo, Bnyx, Boi-1da, and Jahaan Sweet, and co-producer DVLP.[2]
"K-pop" | ||||
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Single by Travis Scott, Bad Bunny and the Weeknd | ||||
from the album Utopia | ||||
Released | July 21, 2023 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:05 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Travis Scott singles chronology | ||||
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Bad Bunny singles chronology | ||||
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The Weeknd singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"K-pop" on YouTube |
Background
editScott announced the collaboration on his social media accounts on July 19, 2023.[2] Both Bad Bunny and The Weeknd had previously been among artists named to appear on Utopia,[3] with Scott previewing an unreleased collaboration with Bad Bunny at a club in Monaco in May 2023. Bad Bunny said in an interview with Rolling Stone in its July/August 2023 issue that he and Scott "worked on that a while back".[4]
Composition
edit"K-pop" is a "bouncy" trap song,[5][6] with elements of Afrobeats and baile funk.[7] Billboard's Mackenzie Cummings-Grady argued that it is "the lightest song on Utopia", and felt that it was a "joyful" intermission that "gives Bad Bunny and the Weeknd the space to highlight their talents".[8] It is performed in the key of F Dorian in common time with a tempo of 122 beats per minute.
Critical reception
edit"K-pop" received mixed reviews from music critics. Mike DeStefano, Ben Felderstein, and Stefan Breskin of Complex deemed it as the weakest song from Utopia.[9] Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre felt the song was "a diabolically stupid plan to create the most popular song in the world," criticizing its "sauceless" rhythm and title that "supposedly isn’t a reference to the Korean pop genre to game extra clicks."[10] Writing for HipHopDX, Vivian Medithi described "K-pop" as a "perfectly adequate" duet between Scott and Bad Bunny that was "appended with an interminable verse from the Weeknd, just to make sure the streaming numbers look as good as the inexplicably Japanese single cover."[11]
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady of Billboard placed "K-pop" at number 11 in her ranking of the songs from Utopia.[12]
Commercial performance
editIn the United States "K-pop" debuted at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Scott's 12th top-ten single and his first as a lead artist since 2020 single's "Franchise". It also became Bad Bunny's second song in the top 10 in 2023 and the 11th in his career, as well as The Weeknd's third top 10 in 2023 and 17th overall. The song also reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Scott's 21st, Bad Bunny's second and The Weeknd's 24th song to appear on the top-ten of the chart.[13]
The song also peaked at number five on the Billboard Global 200, with 53.2 million streams and 14,000 copies sold worldwide in its first week.[14]
Music video
editAn accompanying music video for "K-pop", directed by Scott, was released on July 21, 2023. The video features Scott "getting his groove on" in an empty football stadium (OGC Nice's Allianz Riviera) that has been covered with Utopia branding. He teases a potential stadium tour in support of Utopia with signage that reads "Stadium Tour Rehearsal", while sharing a look at his upcoming sneaker collaboration with Air Jordan.[15] Bad Bunny is seen making his way through a nightclub, and the Weeknd is spotted enjoying a meal with Scott in a "unique" mansion surrounded by women. The visual features cameo appearances from Matthew Williams, Pharrell Williams, and SZA.[16][17]
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit |
Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[56] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[57] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[58] | Gold | 70,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[59] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[60] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format | Version(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | July 21, 2023 | Original | [4] | ||
July 25, 2023 |
|
4-track "chopped and screwed" EP | [61] | ||
United States | Contemporary hit radio | Original | [62] | ||
Rhythmic contemporary radio | [63] |
References
edit- ^ Harrison, Scoop (July 19, 2023). "Travis Scott Announces New Single "KPOP" Featuring Bad Bunny and The Weeknd". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Corcoran, Nina (July 19, 2023). "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny, the Weeknd Announce New Song 'Kpop'". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ Caraan, Sophie (July 19, 2023). "Travis Scott Announces New Single "Kpop" With Bad Bunny and The Weeknd". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Armstrong, Megan (July 19, 2023). "Travis Scott Will Launch The Utopia Era With His 'KPop' Single With The Weeknd And Bad Bunny". Uproxx. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ Garcia, Thania (July 21, 2023). "Travis Scott Recruits Bad Bunny and the Weeknd for First 'Utopia' Single". Variety. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ Haddad, Hanan (July 24, 2023). "Travis Scott's Latest Song Titled 'K-pop' Featuring The Weeknd Angers Netizens". L'Officiel USA. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (July 28, 2023). "Premature Evaluation: Travis Scott 'Utopia'". Stereogum. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (July 28, 2023). "Travis Scott's 'Utopia' Album: All 19 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ Mckinney, Jessica; Luzmila Caraballo, Ecleen; Skelton, Eric; Rose, Jordan; Breskin, Stefan; DeStefano, Mike; Felderstein, Ben (July 28, 2023). "First Impressions Of Travis Scott's New Album 'Utopia'". Complex. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (July 31, 2023). "Travis Scott: UTOPIA". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ Medithi, Vivian (July 30, 2023). "'Utopia' Is More Boring Than Travis Scott". HipHopDX. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (July 28, 2023). "Travis Scott's 'Utopia' Album: All 19 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Trevor (August 3, 2023). "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd's 'K-POP' Bursts Onto Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ Trust, Gary (July 31, 2023). "Jung Kook's 'Seven' Spends Second Week Atop Global Charts, 'Barbie' Songs Soar". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "The Travis Scott x Jordan Cut the Check Will Release Later This Year". Hypebeast. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ Santiago, Elliot (July 21, 2023). "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny and The Weeknd Release the "K-pop" Music Video". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ Espinoza, Joshua (July 21, 2023). "Travis Scott, The Weeknd, and Bad Bunny Unite in Video for "K-Pop"". Complex. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-Pop" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Belgium Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 31. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd: K-Pop" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-Pop" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 30/2023" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop". Top Digital Download. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ "OLT20 – Combined Chart – Week of Sunday September 3rd, 2023". The Official Lebanese Top 20. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ "2023 31-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "The Official Mena Chart — This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 21/07/2023 to 27/07/2023". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ "Tipparade-lijst – week 31, 2023" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop". VG-lista. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "TOP 50 INTERNACIONAL BMAT-PRODUCE DEL 5 A EL 11 DE OCTUBRE 2023" (in Spanish). Sociedad Panameña de Productores Fonográficos. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 21.07.2023–27.07.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-Pop". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 17/09/2023" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. September 17, 2023. Archived from the original on September 17, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202331 into search. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-pop". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd – K-Pop". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & the Weeknd – K-pop" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & the Weeknd – K-pop" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved November 13, 2023. Type Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & the Weeknd in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and K-pop in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & the Weeknd – K-pop". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('K-pop')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "K-POP (Chopped & Screwed) - EP by Travis Scott & The Weeknd". July 18, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via music.apple.com.
- ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "Top 40/Rhythmic Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.