Intro (DaBaby song) explained

Intro
Cover:dababy - kirk intro.jpg
Type:single
Artist:DaBaby
Album:Kirk
Released:September 19, 2019
Genre:
Length:2:52
Label:Interscope
Producer:DJ Kid
Prev Title:Enemies
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Heartless
Next Year:2019

"Intro" (stylized in all-caps) is a song by American rapper DaBaby, released as the lead single and opening track from his second studio album Kirk on September 19, 2019.[1] [2]

The song peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[3]

Music and lyrics

The song explores themes of family and DaBaby handling his newfound success.[1] The song strays away from his usual comedic subject matter, which is synonymous with his music. He explains how he found out about his father's passing only moments before he was informed that his debut studio album, Baby on Baby, debuted atop the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart.[4]

The song is produced by DJ K.i.D,[5] who sampled NSYNC's 1998 rendition of "O Holy Night" for the song.[6] The song's chorus makes references to Martin and Gina, characters from the TV series Martin, and tennis players and sisters Venus and Serena Williams.

Music video

The music video was released on September 20, 2019. It begins with DaBaby walking towards a casket at a church, before then cutting to a scene of DaBaby celebrating his newfound success.[7] The video, directed by Reel Goats, was shot in Hawaii.[8] As of April 2021 the video has over 60 million views on YouTube.

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews, with Rolling Stones Charles Holmes deeming it a "heart-wrenching portrait of loss", calling it DaBaby's "best song yet", as DaBaby drops his comedically tough facade in favor of a more sincere approach to the song.[1]

Chart performance

The song peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming his third song to reach the top 20 on the chart, and second as the lead artist.[9]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] 6
US Rolling Stone Top 100[11] 1

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DaBaby's 'Intro' Is a Heart-Wrenching Portrait of Loss — And His Best Song Yet. Holmes. Charles. September 19, 2019. September 20, 2019. Rolling Stone.
  2. News: Darville. Jordan. DaBaby gets personal on new song 'Intro'. September 19, 2019. The Fader. September 19, 2019.
  3. Web site: Here Are the Lyrics to DaBaby's Intro. October 1, 2019. October 2, 2019. Mamo. Heran.
  4. Web site: DaBaby talks Losing His Dad, Having Best Features of 2019, Linking w/ Lizzo - Bootleg Kev & DJ Hed. Real 92.3 LA. September 25, 2019. December 25, 2019.
  5. Web site: The Making Of DaBaby's "INTRO" With DJ K.i.D. Genius. Thioubou. Ndeye. December 19, 2019. December 25, 2019.
  6. Web site: DaBaby's 'INTRO' sample of 'O Holy Night (A Cappella)' by *NSYNC. WhoSampled. December 25, 2019.
  7. Web site: DaBaby Makes A Song That Shows He's A Grown-Up MC With A Real Message. Koertge. Jacob "34". September 21, 2019. October 2, 2019. Ambrosia For Heads.
  8. Web site: DaBaby Releases Music Video For "Intro". September 20, 2019. October 2, 2019. Bossip. Bossip Staff.
  9. Web site: DaBaby Chart History. October 2, 2019. Billboard.
  10. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. September 30, 2019. October 5, 2019.
  11. Web site: Rolling Stone Top 100, September 27-October 3, 2019. Rolling Stone. October 3, 2019. October 7, 2019.
  12. Web site: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.