No Brainer (song) explained

No Brainer
Cover:DJ Khaled No Brainer.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo
Album:Father of Asahd
Length:4:20
Label:
Producer:
Chronology:DJ Khaled
Prev Title:Dinero
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Higher
Next Year:2019

"No Brainer" is a song by American musician DJ Khaled featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American rappers Chance the Rapper and Quavo. The song was released on July 27, 2018, by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records,[1] the second single from Khaled's eleventh studio album, Father of Asahd (2019).[2] [3] [4] It marks the second collaboration between the artists, following 2017's "I'm the One" (which also featured Lil Wayne), from Khaled's tenth studio album Grateful. Khaled produced the song with DaviDior, Sir Nolan, Nic Nac and Poo Bear. The song peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Release and promotion

In early July, DJ Khaled shared plans for his song, inspired by his vacation to Cabo San Lucas. "I'm gonna make my own soap," he said. "So I'm here to announce today—and this is crazy that we're talking about this—I'm gonna make my own soap."[5] He also revealed, "I got a song coming out with Justin Bieber and some more of my great friends on the record. I want it to be a surprise, but it's going to be one of the biggest anthems."[6] In a series of teasers on Instagram, he gradually rolled out the news. In one video, Justin and his manager, Scooter Braun, joined in and showcased their southern accents. "We've always been the best and always will be the best. That's a statement and a half," Bieber teased.[7]

Critical reception

Billboards Sam Tornow described the song as a potential summer hit with its "all-star cast, bubbly beats and infectious chorus". He wrote: "The crew keeps the hype up all the way through, from Bieber's first chorus until his last. Every collaborator holds his own, accenting each other's different styles while still popping off during his own verse."[2] Conversely, Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork called the song "gratuitous fun that's derivative and shiftless and capitalistic".[8]

Chart performance

In the United States, the song debuted at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Khaled's fourth top-ten song, Bieber's 14th, Chance the Rapper notches his second and Quavo posts his fifth top ten on the chart.[9] The song dropped to number 11 in its second week on the chart.

In the United Kingdom, "No Brainer" debuted at number one on the Official Trending Chart following its release, with the song set to debut at number 9 of the chart regardless of any added points.[10] In August 2018, the song opened at number four on the UK Singles Chart, where it became DJ Khaled's third and Bieber's 14th top-five single in the country.[11] As for other countries, the song reached the top ten of the charts of Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Ireland.

Music video

The music video premiered via YouTube an hour after the song's release. Directed by Colin Tilley, the video begins on the set of a movie in Hollywood with "We The Best" replacing the typical white Hollywood Sign. Bieber helms the director chair alongside Khaled and his son, Asahd. One part of the video is highly reminiscent of a scene from the film Wayne's World, as Khaled and Justin stand atop the faux clouds. Product placement is heavily displayed throughout the blockbuster, boasting different liquors from Bumbu to Ciroc and Belaire. Quavo injects himself into the colorful scene taking on the role of an artist, meticulously painting away at his blank canvas with a parrot mysteriously chilling out on his shoulder. Chance is the last of the co-stars to make an appearance, and the setting immediately switches to a Gatsby-themed party, as the squad dances the night away.[12]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[13]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
Argentina Anglo (Monitor Latino)[14] 18
Bolivia (Monitor Latino)[15] 16
Brazil International Pop Songs (Crowley Charts)[16] 10
Colombia (National-Report)[17] 68
Croatia (HRT)[18] 54
Greece (IFPI)[19] 15
Lebanon (OLT20)[20] 7
Malaysia (RIM)[21] 13
Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay)[22] 24
Romania (Airplay 100)[23] 67
Singapore (RIAS)[24] 5
South Korea International (Gaon)[25] 32
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[26] 54

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)Position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 83
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 65
Denmark (Tracklisten)[29] 77
Portugal (AFP)[30] 148
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[31] 100
US Billboard Hot 100[32] 73
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[33] 38
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[34] 36
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[35] 29

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
VariousJuly 27, 2018
ItalyJuly 30, 2018Contemporary hit radioSony[36]
United StatesJuly 31, 2018Rhythmic contemporary[37]
United KingdomAugust 10, 2018Contemporary hit radioRCA[38]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DJ Khaled Announces New Single 'No Brainer' Featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, & Quavo. Rap-Up. July 23, 2018. July 25, 2018.
  2. Tornow. Sam. July 27, 2018. DJ Khaled Drops 'No Brainer' Featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo: Listen. Billboard. July 27, 2018.
  3. Web site: Johnson. Cherise. July 23, 2018. DJ Khaled Announces "No Brainer" With Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Justin Bieber. HipHopDX. July 25, 2018.
  4. Web site: Roth. Madeline. July 27, 2018. Justin Bieber Is All Smiles In DJ Khaled's Star-Studded 'No Brainer' Video. https://web.archive.org/web/20180729112236/http://www.mtv.com/news/3083002/justin-bieber-dj-khaled-no-brainer-video/. dead. July 29, 2018. MTV News. August 3, 2018.
  5. Web site: DJ Khaled Teases Justin Bieber Collaboration: 'It's One of the Biggest Anthems'. Rap-Up. July 11, 2018. July 25, 2018.
  6. Web site: DJ Khaled unveils new song No Brainer. Bang Showbiz. July 24, 2018. July 25, 2018. MSN.
  7. Web site: Nied. Mike. July 23, 2018. DJ Khaled Reunites With Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper & Quavo On "No Brainer". Idolator. July 25, 2018.
  8. Web site: Pearce. Sheldon. July 27, 2018. "No Brainer" [ft. Justin Bieber. Chance the Rapper & Quavo] by DJ Khaled Review]. Pitchfork. July 27, 2018.
  9. Trust. Gary. August 6, 2018. Drake Dominates Hot 100 for Fourth Week With 'In My Feelings,' DJ Khaled's All-Star 'No Brainer' Debuts at No. 5. Billboard. August 7, 2018.
  10. Web site: Cospey. Rob. July 30, 2018. DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber's No Brainer scores this week's Number 1 trending song. Official Charts Company. August 1, 2018.
  11. Web site: White. Jack. August 3, 2018. Drake takes out a third week at Number 1 as DJ Khaled scores Top 5 new entry. Official Charts Company. August 4, 2018.
  12. Saponara. Michael. July 27, 2018. Blockbuster 'No Brainer' Video With Justin Bieber, Quavo & Chance The Rapper: Watch. Billboard. July 28, 2018.
  13. Web site: No Brainer / DJ Khaled TIDAL. Tidal. July 30, 2018.
  14. Web site: Top 20 Anglo Argentina – Del 24 al 30 de Septiembre, 2018. Monitor Latino. October 1, 2018. es.
  15. Web site: Bolivia General. es. Monitor Latino. July 17, 2019.
  16. Web site: Top 10 Pop Internacional: 10/09/2018 - 14/09/2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. June 5, 2019. pt.
  17. Web site: Colombia Top 100. National-Report. July 20, 2019. es. https://web.archive.org/web/20190110221920/http://www.national-report.com/top-colombia/. January 10, 2019.
  18. Web site: Croatia ARC TOP 100. HRT. September 10, 2018. January 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112021316/https://radio.hrt.hr/clanak/arc-100-datum-3-rujna-2018/178313/. dead.
  19. Web site: Digital Singles Chart (International) Εβδομάδα: 35/2018. IFPI Greece. el. October 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180504155357/http://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. May 4, 2018. dead.
  20. Web site: DJ Khaled – Lebanese Chart Top 20 History. The Official Lebanese Top 20. September 14, 2018.
  21. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. September 18, 2018.
  22. Justin Bieber Chart History (Mexico Airplay). Billboard. July 3, 2021.
  23. Web site: Kiss FM Live – #1 HIT RADIO. kissfm.ro. August 26, 2018.
  24. Web site: Singapore Top 30 Digital Streaming Chart Week 32. Recording Industry Association (Singapore). https://web.archive.org/web/20180821154432/http://www.rias.org.sg/chart.pdf. August 21, 2018.
  25. Web site: Gaon Download Chart – Issue date: 2018.08.12 – 2018.08.18. Gaon Chart. September 10, 2018.
  26. Dance Club Songs: September 1, 2018. Billboard. August 28, 2018.
  27. Web site: ARIA End of Year Singles 2018. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 10, 2019.
  28. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 4, 2018.
  29. Web site: Track Top-100 2018. Hitlisten. da. January 16, 2019.
  30. Web site: Top AFP Audiogest Top 200 Singles 2018. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. pt. July 5, 2020.
  31. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2018. Official Charts Company. January 4, 2019.
  32. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 4, 2018.
  33. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 5, 2018.
  34. Pop Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 5, 2018.
  35. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. August 26, 2019.
  36. Web site: DJ KHALED FT JUSTIN BIEBER, QUAVO & CHANCE THE RAPPER "No Brainer" - (Radio Date: 30/07/2018). radiodate.it. 19 January 2019.
  37. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases. All Access. July 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180725222738/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases. July 25, 2018.
  38. Web site: BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180811155242/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/playlist. 11 August 2018. 10 August 2018.