Brad Pitt's Cousin Explained

Brad Pitt's Cousin
Cover:Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Brad Pitt's Cousin.jpg
Type:Promotional single
Artist:Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Xperience
Album:This Unruly Mess I've Made
Recorded:July 2015
Genre:Comedy hip hop
Length:3:11
Label:Macklemore LLC
Producer:Ryan Lewis

"Brad Pitt's Cousin" is a hip hop song by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring American rapper Xperience from their third studio album This Unruly Mess I've Made (2016). The song was released as a promotional single on April 12, 2016, only in Australia and New Zealand.

Background and release

Following the large success of the duo's debut album The Heist (2012), Macklemore revealed the This Unruly Mess I've Made release with an Instagram post on January 15, 2016.[1] "Brad Pitt's Cousin" was released as the third single off of the album on April 12, 2016, succeeding "Dance Off".[1] The song cites the American actor Brad Pitt.[2]

Critical reception

The song received mixed reviews from music critics. Killian Young of Consequence of Sound gave the album overall a 'C−', and said of "Brad Pitt's Cousin": "we have hip hop culture: the awkward interjection from God, and the awful reference to the long-expired “deez nuts” meme."[3] Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic commented that Macklemore "tries to make it seem like he loves being called the actor’s ugly relative, and opens with him bragging about his cat’s Instagram followers".[4]

Music video

The song's music video was released on April 11, 2016, exclusively to Macklemore's Facebook page.[5] It was recorded in London and directed by Lewis.[6]

Chart performance

In Australia, "Brad Pitt's Cousin" entered the Australian Singles Chart at number 40 on August 6, 2016.[7] The song did not enter the New Zealand Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Heatseekers Singles Chart.

Notes and References

  1. Spanos. Brittany . Brittany Spanos . January 15, 2016 . Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Announce new album. Rolling Stone. February 27, 2016.
  2. Web site: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Talk Vulnerability, Cultural Appropriation & The Polarising Response To Their Music. Music Feeds. August 27, 2015 . September 9, 2015.
  3. Web site: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – This Unruly Mess I've Made. Consequence of Sound. August 27, 2015 . September 9, 2015.
  4. Web site: This Unruly Mess I've Made uses novelty rap to disguise self-loathing, barely.. The Atlantic. August 27, 2015 . September 9, 2015.
  5. Web site: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Drop New Video For Infectious Single 'Brad Pitt's Cousin'. September 21, 2015. Much.
  6. Web site: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Drop New Video For Infectious Single 'Brad Pitt's Cousin'. September 21, 2015. Billboard.
  7. Web site: MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS FEAT. XP - BRAD PITT'S COUSIN (SONG). September 21, 2015 . ARIA.
  8. Web site: NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 8, 2016. August 5, 2016.
  9. Web site: Major Lazer spend second week at #1. ARIA Charts. August 27, 2015 . September 9, 2015.