Earfquake Explained

Earfquake
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Tyler, the Creator
Album:Igor
Released:June 4, 2019
Genre:
Label:Columbia
Chronology:Tyler, the Creator
Prev Title:Potato Salad
Prev Year:2018
Earfquake
Year:2019
Next Title:U Say
Next Year:2019

"Earfquake" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper Tyler, the Creator. It is the second song from his sixth studio album, Igor (2019). It features an uncredited guest appearance from fellow American rapper Playboi Carti and background vocals by American singers Charlie Wilson and Jessy Wilson. It was released as the album's lead single to rhythmic contemporary radio on June 4, 2019.[2] Its official remix by Channel Tres was released on October 4, 2019.[3] "Earfquake" was Tyler, the Creator's highest-charting song in the US at the time, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also ranked 14th on Billboards 100 Best Songs of 2019 list.[4]

Background

Tyler initially wrote the song for Canadian singer Justin Bieber, who turned down the song. Tyler then asked Barbadian singer Rihanna to provide vocals to the hook believing the song would be big, but she also rejected the song. Tyler instead kept in his own raw vocals.[5] [6] "Earfquake" was initially leaked online on May 7, 2019.[7]

Composition and lyrical interpretation

The song contains background vocals by Charlie and Jessy Wilson. A remix featuring Channel Tres was released as well.

Music video

A music video for "Earfquake" was released alongside the album's release on May 17, 2019. The music video was directed by Tyler.[8]

Synopsis

The video opens with a cameo from Tracee Ellis Ross as a talk show host, named Pearl Edwards in the video. Tyler then takes the stage, wearing a blue suit and a Warholian wig, dancing and singing. He then plays his piano, but when Playboi Carti's verse starts, the set is already on fire, caused by his cigarette. He suffers various burns and then passes out. Tyler then returns as a firefighter to put out the fire.[9] [10]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal[11] and liner notes.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
Latvia (LAIPA)[12] 4
Lithuania (AGATA)[13] 5
US Rolling Stone Top 100[14] 24

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)Position
Latvia (LAIPA)[15] 76
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 46
US Rolling Stone Top 100[17] 91

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tyler, The Creator – 'IGOR' review. NME. Moore. Sam. May 20, 2019. November 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191128034605/https://www.nme.com/reviews/tyler-the-creator-igor-album-review-2490085. November 28, 2019. live.
  2. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases . All Access . 1 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190602025721/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases . 2 June 2019.
  3. Web site: Earfquake (Channel Tres Remix) - Single. . October 4, 2019.
  4. The 100 Best Songs of 2019: Staff List. Billboard Staff. December 11, 2019. Billboard. December 11, 2019.
  5. News: Watch Tyler, The Creator Perform 'IGOR' in Full (UPDATE). Mallory Chin. 22 May 2019. 22 May 2019. Hypebeast.
  6. Tyler, the Creator. 22 May 2019. Apple Music Presents TYLER, THE CREATOR. Los Angeles, California, U.S.. Apple Music.
  7. Web site: New Music: Tyler, The Creator – "Earthquake" (feat. Playboi Carti & Pharrell). ItsBizKit. 8 May 2019. 23 May 2019. @MidnightCyphs.
  8. Web site: Fisher . Caroline . 2023-08-11 . Tyler, The Creator And Playboi Carti's "Earfquake" Certified 5X Platinum . 2024-11-17 . HotNewHipHop . en.
  9. Web site: Tyler, the Creator Is a Modern Day Andy Warhol in His New Video. Rachel Hann. Vogue. 17 May 2019. 20 May 2019.
  10. Web site: Saponara . Michael . 2019-05-17 . Tyler, the Creator Sets the Stage on Fire for Tracee Ellis Ross-Assisted ‘Earfquake’ Video: Watch . 2024-11-17 . Billboard . en-US.
  11. Web site: IGOR / Tyler, the Creator – TIDAL. . May 20, 2019.
  12. Web site: Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 21. nedēļa. lv. LAIPA. November 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191010115019/https://www.parmuziku.lv/muzikas-zinas/latvija/muzikas-paterina-tops-21-nedela-7968. October 10, 2019.
  13. Web site: Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100). lt. AGATA. May 31, 2019. December 3, 2019.
  14. Top 100 Songs. Rolling Stone. July 2, 2019. July 2, 2019. July 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190702224443/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2019-06-27/. dead.
  15. Web site: Digitālās Mūzikas Tops 2019. LAIPA. lv. January 3, 2020.
  16. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
  17. Top 100 Songs of 2019. Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. February 16, 2020. March 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200307013530/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/year-end/. dead.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Earfquake".

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