Down Bad (Dreamville song) explained

Down Bad
Cover:Dreamville-down-bad-ft-earthgang-j-cole-bas-jid-young-nudy.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Dreamville featuring J. Cole, JID, Bas, EarthGang, and Young Nudy
Album:Revenge of the Dreamers III and the EP 1-888-88-DREAM
Released:June 12, 2019
B-Side:Got Me
Recorded:January 6, 2019
Studio:Tree Sound Studios, Atlanta, Georgia[1]
Genre:Hip hop
Length:2:49
Producer:Pluss
Chronology:Dreamville
Title2:Got Me
Next Title:LamboTruck
Next Title2:Costa Rica
Next Year:2019

"Down Bad" is a song by American record label Dreamville featuring performances by American rappers J. Cole, JID, Bas, Johnny Venus of EarthGang, and Young Nudy, released on June 12, 2019 alongside "Got Me" as the dual second single from the label's 2019 compilation album, Revenge of the Dreamers III.[2]

Background

The song was created on the first day of Dreamville's sessions for the compilation album.[3] Bas wrote on Instagram about his initial reaction to the song when he arrived in Atlanta:

In February, Dreamville gave a live preview of the song after the All Star game – which J. Cole was the halftime show performer, during the free concert in Charlotte.[4] In May, JID also gave fans a snippet of the single during his set at Miami's Rolling Loud Festival.[5]

Under the EP 1-888-88-DREAM, the single was released with "Got Me" on June 12. The EP's title is referencing the "1-888-88-DREAM" phone number that Cole used to announce the original Revenge of the Dreamers in 2014.[6] Dreamville representatives used hotline phone number to talk to fans and also play some exclusive tracks from the label's compilation album.[7]

Composition

According to Genius, the song's "underlying beat is highly reminiscent" of "Rebel Without a Pause" by Public Enemy, although it is not a direct sample of the song.[5]

Music video

The official music video of the song was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, and was uploaded on YouTube on October 22, 2019.[8]

Critical reception

Complex named "Down Bad" as one of the best songs of the week, calling it a "rowdy, kick-in-the-door anthem ready-made for summer mischief"[9] and said the artists pack a ridiculous amount of energy into less than three minutes, beginning with a "tragically short verse" from Young Nudy and closing things with a "rapid-fire verse" from EarthGang's Johnny Venus.

Commercial performance

"Down Bad" originally peaked at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Following the release of its parent album, Revenge of the Dreamers III, the song reached a new peak of number 64. On November 22, 2019, the song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[10]

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from Tidal.[11]

Charts

Chart (2019)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] 10
US Rolling Stone Top 100[13] 15

Awards and nominations

Year! scope="col"
AwardCategoryResult
2020Grammy AwardBest Rap Performance[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hundred . Juan . The Creator's POV of the Dreamville 'ROTD3' Camp . istandardproducers . January 20, 2019 . January 19, 2019.
  2. Web site: Marie . Erika . Dreamville Delivers "Down Bad" Single Ft. J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EarthGang, & Young Nudy . . June 13, 2019 . June 12, 2019.
  3. Web site: Martinez . Jose . J. Cole Announces 'Revenge of The Dreamers III' . . January 6, 2019.
  4. Web site: J. COLE PREVIEWS 2 NEW SONGS AT NBA ALL-STAR DREAMVILLE SHOW: WATCH . HipHop-n-more. 18 February 2019.
  5. Web site: Dreamville Pays Homage To Public Enemy With "Down Bad". Genius. 15 June 2019.
  6. Web site: 1-888-88-DREAM . . June 14, 2019.
  7. Web site: Dreamville Artists Drop 'Down Bad' & 'Got Me' Off Upcoming Compilation Project: Listen. Billboard. 15 June 2019.
  8. Web site: Watch Dreamville's "Down Bad" Video f/ J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EarthGang, and Young Nudy. Complex. October 23, 2019.
  9. Web site: Best New Music This Week: Dreamville, Mac Miller, GoldLink, and More. Bernucca. Carolyn. June 14, 2019. Complex. July 30, 2019.
  10. Web site: Down Bad . RIAA. December 19, 2019.
  11. Web site: 1-888-88-DREAM . Tidal.
  12. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. June 24, 2019. June 21, 2019.
  13. Web site: Top 100 Songs. Rolling Stone. July 5, 2019. January 8, 2020. November 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102205751/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2019-07-05/. dead.
  14. Web site: Artist - J. Cole . . 24 November 2019.