BTBT (song) explained

BTBT
Cover:B.I_BTBT_Single_Cover.jpg
Alt:Stylized drawing in black and blue reminiscent of a human face looking up.
Type:single
Artist:B.I and Soulja Boy, featuring DeVita
Ep:Love or Loved Part.1
Genre:R&B
Label:
  • IOK
  • Transparent Arts
Composer:
Lyricist:
  • B.I
  • Soulja Boy
  • 3onawav
  • Ale Alberti
Chronology:B.I
Prev Title:Cosmos
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Lullaby
Next Year:2022

"BTBT" is a song by South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer B.I and American rapper and record producer Soulja Boy, featuring South Korean singer DeVita. It was released on May 13, 2022 by IOK and Transparent Arts, as a lead single from B.I's EP Love or Loved Part.1.[1]

One year after its release, "BTBT" had exceeded 100 millions streams on Spotify and the dance performance film had been watched more than 50 millions times on YouTube. It was also selected by several magazines as one of the best K-pop songs of 2022, including Time and Nylon.[2]

Inspiration and production

According to B.I, "BTBT" is about the "passionate feelings you get when you meet somebody or start a relationship" and, more generally, the "powerful and rebellious kind of love we experience in our adolescence".[3] [4]

The word "BTBT" was derived from the Korean verb "" (pronounced as /ko/), which means "to stagger", alluding to a metaphorical drunkenness caused by love. It is pronounced like an English acronym as the track's name, while it is sung "" (pronounced as /ko/) in the chorus.[5]

B.I explained that he wanted to work with DeVita on "BTBT" because he thought that her voice was well suited to the song.[6] Soulja Boy's name was mentioned when B.I and his team were brainstorming about possible collaborators. B.I decided to ask the American rapper because he had liked his music ever since he was young.[7]

Release

"BTBT" was first announced by B.I's label on May 2, 2022 as a lead single from his upcoming EP Love or Loved Part.1.[8] The title of the song was revealed on May 5, 2022, along with the involvement of Soulja Boy and DeVita.[9]

A music video was released on May 13, 2022, at 00:00 KST, prior to the release of the single. It presented an alternative version of the song that excluded the verse from Soulja Boy, and only included DeVita's contribution. The single was then released on digital music and streaming platforms on May 13, 2022, at 13:00 KST. A second music video, called "performance film", was released on May 18, 2022, at 00:00 KST.[10]

Comprising "BTBT" and four other songs, the EP Love or Loved Part.1 was released six months later, on November 18, 2022.[11]

Music videos and choreography

The first music video for "BTBT" was filmed in a cinematic way. Dressed in a leather outfit, B.I is wandering with a group of friends in a city that was described by the magazine Teen Vogue as "futuristic and cyberpunk-inspired". The director of the music video, South Korean creative director and musician Leesuho, said that it was referencing the cyberpunk film Ghost in the Shell.[12]

The second music video shows B.I and twenty-one South Korean dancers performing a choreography by South Korean team Aitty Too. Some critics saw the influence of dancehall dances and house dance in their work for "BTBT". One of the team's members, Youngbeen, had previously choreographed for B.I's songs "Waterfall" and "Flame".[13] [14]

Critical reception

MTV News included the pre-release single "BTBT" in its "Bop Shop" selection for the week of May 13, 2022. Describing the song as "intense and inspired" and "a unique recount of an experience with love at first sight", the publication stated that "B.I displays a deep sense of confidence and security with this comeback, combining his distinctive raspy vocals with a layered, bass-heavy track to create a genre completely his own".[15]

In contrast, IZM writer Son Gi-ho found the song "monotonous" and rated it 1.5 out of 5 stars.[16]

Accolades

"BTBT" was mentioned as one of the best K-pop songs of 2022 by numerous magazines. It was one of the ten songs Nylon included in its list of "The 20 Best K-pop releases of 2022", describing the song as an "hypnotic track". NME named it as the second best K-pop song of the year, explaining that "This sensuous R&B song, underlined by prominent bass and the syncopations of percussion, allows [B.I's] raspy, melodic voice to shine through".

Time picked "BTBT" for its list of "The Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2022 So Far", calling it a "groovy track that seduces with its smooth melodies as much as it does with its inviting lyrics". Dazed ranked the song fifth on its list of "The best K-pop tracks of 2022", while one of the pop culture writers invited by Teen Vogue to choose a song "that spoke to them and the world around them" said that "if there's one K-pop song in 2022 that you shouldn't miss, it's this one".

Publisher! scope="col"
YearListicleWorkRank
Nylon2022The 20 Best K-pop Releases of 2022"BTBT"[17]
TimeThe Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2022[18]
Leisure Byte15 Best Kpop Songs of 2022[19]
DazedThe best K-pop tracks of 20225[20]
Teen VogueThe 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022[21]
21 Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2022"BTBT" music video[22]
NMEThe 25 best K-pop songs of 2022"BTBT"2[23]
The Telegraph (India)The Telegraph lookback at top 20 K-Pop hits of the year14[24]
The National (Abu Dhabi)The best K-pop songs of 2022[25]
Paris MatchThe 10 best K-pop songs of 20222[26]

Commercial performance

"BTBT" did not enter South Korea's Circle Digital Chart upon release, but the global single had long-lasting commercial success, with good digital sales and streams reported by music platforms worldwide, including in Africa, Europe and the United States.[27] [28] In Southeast Asia, the song appeared on several national charts, reaching its peak position weeks after its release. It ranked 11th on the Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 for the week of May 27, 2022. In Malaysia, it was the 17th most streamed international single for the week of June 10. In Singapore, it placed 14th on the top 30 of the most streamed songs published by the RIAS for the week of June 17.

"BTBT" reached 100 millions total streams on the global music platform Spotify in May 2023, about one year after its release.[29] The single was also one of the 25 most searched K-pop songs with the music recognition application Shazam in 2022.[30]

Aitty Too's choreography was a major factor in the song's success.[31] The dance performance film had been watched more than 37 million times on YouTube,[32] and has exceeded 50 million views .[33] The hashtag #btbtchallenge, inviting users to cover the dance, had accumulated more than 130 million views on TikTok .[34]

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Malaysia International Singles (RIM)[35] 17
Singapore (RIAS)[36] 14
Vietnam Hot 100 (Billboard)[37] 11

Notes and References

  1. News: I . Seong-mi . May 13, 2022 . 비아이, 13일 선공개 싱글 'BTBT' 발매→글로벌 앨범 프로젝트 'L.O.L' 본격 시작 . BizEnter . November 18, 2022 . ko . November 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221118064704/http://enter.etoday.co.kr/view/news_view.php?varAtcId=224952 . live .
  2. News: 비아이 'BTBT', 미국 타임지 '베스트 K-POP' 선정 . . Son . Bong-seok . December 14, 2022 . June 26, 2023 . ko.
  3. Staggering Through Life – Allow B.I to Reintroduce Himself . . Sarah . Han . June 7, 2022 . December 28, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219233135/https://www.allure.com/story/bi-k-pop-interview-btbt-love-or-loved-album . live .
  4. B.I Opens Up: K-pop Star Talks Love, Ambition and the Year That Nearly Broke Him . Glasby . Taylor . May 19, 2022 . . November 10, 2022 . November 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221111045726/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/bi-interview-love-drugs-1235072788/ . live .
  5. B.I talks about music, how his life has changed / 천재 작곡가 김한빈이 전하는 음악과 삶에 관한 이야기 . B.I . June 14, 2022 . December 28, 2022 . . . 00:07 . ko, en . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229021924/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhGkJ-WRPh4&t=7s . live .
  6. B.I talks about music, how his life has changed / 천재 작곡가 김한빈이 전하는 음악과 삶에 관한 이야기 . B.I . June 14, 2022 . January 31, 2023 . . . 01:00 . ko, en . January 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131174955/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhGkJ-WRPh4&t=60s . live .
  7. 비아이 '건강한 과도기를 겪고 있는 것 같아요.' - Hiphopplaya Interview [ENG Sub] ]. B.I . July 9, 2022 . January 31, 2023 . Hiphopplaya . . 08:55 . ko, en . January 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131174947/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JUx4VoycGs&t=535s . live .
  8. News: 비아이, 13일 선공개 싱글 발매..글로벌 앨범 프로젝트 'Love or Loved' 시작 . Bak . Seo-yeon . Herald Pop . May 2, 2022 . January 8, 2022 . ko . January 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108233325/http://www.heraldpop.com/view.php?ud=202205020740168425497_1 . live .
  9. News: 비아이, 선공개 싱글서 美 래퍼 솔자보이·드비타와 협업...13일 공개 . Nam . Sang-baek . Single List . May 5, 2022 . January 8, 2022 . ko . January 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108233324/http://www.slist.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=351822 . live .
  10. News: 비아이, 'BTBT' 퍼포먼스 필름 공개…댄서 향한 리스펙 . May 18, 2022 . January 1, 2023 . I . Seong-mi . BizEnter . ko . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219233137/http://enter.etoday.co.kr/news/view/225209 . live .
  11. Gladys . Yeo . November 18, 2022 . Watch the enthralling music video for B.I's newest single, 'Keep Me Up' . . November 18, 2022 . February 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202160642/https://www.nme.com/news/music/bi-comeback-love-or-loved-pt-1-ep-release-date-details-3317694 . live .
  12. Korean creative director Leesuho on the magic behind his music videos for BTS' j-hope, CL, B.I, and more . Franchesca Judine Basbas . August 24, 2022 . July 2, 2023 . Bandwagon.
  13. . . 2021 . album booklet . IOK Music and 131 Label.
  14. B.I 비아이 - Keep The Fire Alive (Cosmos Message Film #1) . 131 Entertainment . . October 28, 2021 . July 2, 2023 . 03:30 . End credits at.
  15. Bop Shop: Songs From Kendrick Lamar, B.I, My Chemical Romance, And More . Sarina . Bhutani . . May 13, 2022 . January 3, 2023 . January 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103160920/https://www.mtv.com/news/cdq1fo/bop-shop-kendrick-lamar-b-i-my-chemical-romance . dead .
  16. BTBT (Feat. DeVita) . Son . Gi-ho . . May 2022 . January 8, 2023 . ko . January 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108130043/http://www.izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=31255&bigcateidx=8&subcateidx=10&view_tp=1 . live .
  17. Bell . Crystal . The 20 Best K-pop Releases of 2022 . . December 8, 2022 . December 8, 2022 . December 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208063926/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/best-kpop-albums-songs-2022 . live .
  18. Moon . Kat . The Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2022 . . December 31, 2022 . December 31, 2022 . December 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221214150358/https://time.com/6240691/best-kpop-2022/ . live .
  19. Das . Hrishita . 15 Best Kpop Songs of 2022 That Made Us Groove: Run BTS, Pink Venom, BTBT and More . Leisure Byte . January 1, 2023 . December 13, 2022 . January 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230101015511/https://www.leisurebyte.com/best-kpop-songs-of-2022/ . live .
  20. Glasby . Taylor . The best K-pop tracks of 2022 . . December 14, 2022 . December 14, 2022 . December 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221214091917/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/57774/1/the-best-k-pop-tracks-of-2022-billlie-ive-ateez . live .
  21. Raj . Tanu I. . 79 journalists and pop culture writers . The 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022 . . December 15, 2022 . December 15, 2022 . December 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221224023259/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/best-k-pop-songs-2022 . live .
  22. Chyenne . Tatum . 21 Best K-Pop Music Videos of 2022 . . December 21, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . December 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221224023223/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/best-k-pop-music-videos-2022 . live .
  23. Carmen . Chin . 9 pop culture writers . The 25 best K-pop songs of 2022 . . December 20, 2022 . December 20, 2022 . December 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221012223/https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/nme-best-k-pop-songs-of-the-year-2022-3368972 . live .
  24. Nandini . Chakrabarti . The Telegraph lookback at top 20 K-Pop hits of the year . . December 28, 2022 . December 26, 2022 . December 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221227082951/https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/lifestyle/the-telegraph-lookback-at-top-20-k-pop-hits-of-the-year/cid/1905848 . live .
  25. Thoraya . Abdullahi . The best K-pop songs of 2022, from Hype Boy to That That and Wild Flower . . December 29, 2022 . December 29, 2022 . December 31, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221231043716/https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music-stage/2022/12/29/best-k-pop-songs-2022/ . live .
  26. News: Les 10 meilleurs titres de K-Pop de l'année 2022 . The 10 best K-pop songs of 2022 . Roger . Séraphine . December 30, 2022 . May 7, 2023 . . fr.
  27. In B.I's inadvertent love letter to Africa . February 15, 2023 . . Ella . Okunmwendia . February 16, 2023 . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216130716/https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/in-bis-inadvertent-love-letter-to-africa-9669cea2-e6fe-4152-b13c-c1edf93a9fef . live .
  28. News: 비아이 'BTBT', 스포티파이 51개·아이튠즈 49개·애플뮤직 46개 지역 1위 . June 15, 2022 . December 30, 2022 . I . Jun-hyeon . 10 Asia . ko . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219233152/https://tenasia.hankyung.com/music/article/2022061511644 . live .
  29. News: 비아이, 'BTBT'로 스포티파이 스트리밍 1억 돌파 . . Son . Bong-seok . May 9, 2023 . June 26, 2023 . ko.
  30. Apple shares the 25 most Shazamed K-pop songs of 2022, featuring BTS, Blackpink, Treasure and more . December 1, 2022 . December 30, 2022 . Carmen . Chin . . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219233134/https://www.nme.com/news/music/apple-25-most-shazamed-k-pop-songs-of-2022-bts-jessi-b-i-blackpink-3358771 . live .
  31. ชวนฟังดนตรี เกาหลี เกาใจ : รวมฮิตเพลง/อัลบั้ม K-Pop ที่เรารัก ในช่วงครึ่งปีแรก 2022 . . July 1, 2022 . April 29, 2022 . th.
  32. Korean Rapper-Singer B.I Is Writing His Own Path . Kristen . Tauer . . November 18, 2022 . December 30, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219233144/https://wwd.com/eye/people/bi-korean-rapper-singer-album-love-or-loved-1235422741/ . live .
  33. News: 비아이, 음악 마이웨이…'BTBT' 퍼포먼스 필름 5000만뷰 돌파 . March 7, 2023 . March 7, 2023 . . Gim . Su-yeong . ko.
  34. Michele . Mendez . November 30, 2022 . B.I Has Soulja Boy To Thank For His Reintroduction . . December 11, 2022 . February 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202160641/https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/bi-love-or-loved-part-1-ep-btbt-soulja-boy-interview-exclusive . live .
  35. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles in Malaysia, Week 24 . . . June 10–16, 2022 . April 4, 2023.
  36. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 25 . . June 17–23, 2022 . April 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628090908/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/ . June 28, 2022.
  37. Web site: Billboard Vietnam Hot 100, Chart Date 2022-06-02 . . May 27 – June 2, 2022 . April 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220602171813/https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/ . June 2, 2022.

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