Off the Grid (song) explained
"Off the Grid" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album Donda (2021). The song features vocals from American rappers Playboi Carti and Fivio Foreign, with choir vocals performed by opera singer Justin Austin. It was released to US urban contemporary radio stations as the album's fourth single on November 30, 2021 (third promoted to radio formats).[1]
Background and recording
On July 18, 2020, West announced Donda on his Twitter and posted a track listing that had "Off the Grid" on it.[2] [3] Before the song morphed into its final version, it had scrapped contributions from KayCyy, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, Baby Keem, and more, alongside versions with entirely different, siren-based production.
In December, it was revealed that West was recording and executive producing for Playboi Carti's album Whole Lotta Red, which released on December 25.[4] [5] Playboi Carti recorded his verse for "Off the Grid" during these sessions. A snippet of Playboi Carti's part leaked after West played the song on his speakers during his stay at a hotel in Belgium in December. The collaboration with Fivio Foreign came together after West asked Fivio Foreign to come to Mercedes Benz Stadium on the night before the August 5 listening party.[6] Talking about the collaboration, Fivio Foreign recalled:
The song was first officially previewed at the August 5 listening party at Mercedes Benz Stadium.[7] It was previewed again in Soldier Field on August 26, with an added verse from West at the end.
Reception
The track was named the best song of 2021 by Complex.[8]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[9]
- Kanye West – production, vocals
- Playboi Carti – vocals
- Fivio Foreign – vocals
- 30 Roc – production
- AyoAA – production
- Ojivolta – production
- David & Eli – co-production
- Sloane – additional production
- Irko – mastering, mixing
- Alejandro Rodriguez-Dawsøn – recording
- Drrique Rendeer – recording
- James Kelso – recording
- Josh Berg – recording
- Lorenzo Wolff – recording
- Mikalai Skrobat – recording
- Roark Bailey – recording
- Will Chason – recording
- Louis Bell – vocal editing
- Patrick Hundley – vocal editing
Charts
Weekly charts
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
Notes and References
- Web site: Urban/R&B Future Releases. https://web.archive.org/web/20211124105743/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases. November 24, 2021. November 24, 2021. All Access.
- Web site: Curto . Justin . An Exhaustive, Exhausting Attempt at Understanding Kanye West's Donda . Vulture . 18 September 2021 . 30 August 2021.
- Web site: Rolli . Bryan . Kanye West Is Apparently, Maybe, Releasing A New Album Called 'Donda' Next Week . Forbes . 18 September 2021 . 18 July 2020.
- Web site: Eustice . Kyle . Playboi Carti Confirms Kanye West-Produced 'Whole Lotta Red' Album Arrives On Christmas Day . HipHopDX . 18 September 2021 . 21 December 2020.
- Web site: Darville . Jordan . Playboi Carti's producer may have revealed Whole Lotta Red's release date . The Fader . 18 September 2021 . 14 December 2020.
- Web site: Power 106 Los Angeles . Fivio Foreign Details Making Of Kanye West 'Donda' Collab & Speaks On Relationship With Pop Smoke . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/1vLzk5GPvbc?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vLzk5GPvbc. 2021-09-24. YouTube . 18 September 2021 . 11 September 2021.
- Web site: Rindner . Grant . 11 Ways Kanye West's Donda Album Has Already Changed . GQ . 18 September 2021 . 9 August 2021.
- Web site: The Best Songs of 2021 . Complex . 21 February 2023.
- Web site: Credits / Donda / Kanye West . Tidal . 18 September 2021.
- Web site: Track Top-40 Uge 35, 2021. Hitlisten. September 19, 2021.
- Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 36/2021. IFPI Greece. September 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210920231130/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html. September 20, 2021. dead.
- Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög - Vika 35 – 2021. Plötutíðindi. September 19, 2021. https://archive.today/20210906055335/http://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. September 6, 2021.
- Web site: Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale Wk 35. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. September 19, 2021.
- Web site: 2021 35-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). Lithuanian. AGATA. September 3, 2021. September 19, 2021.
- Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. September 6, 2021. September 19, 2021.
- Web site: VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-36. VG-lista. September 19, 2021.
- Web site: Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: 27/08/2021 to 02/09/2021. The Official South African Charts. September 14, 2021. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210909213625/https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/charts/streaming-chart-20-08-2021-to-26-08-2021/. September 9, 2021.
- Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 36. Sverigetopplistan. September 19, 2021.
- Kanye West Chart History (Hot Gospel Songs). Billboard. September 19, 2021.
- Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: (31-35)/2021. IFPI Greece. September 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210913110828/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html. September 13, 2021.
- Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 20, 2021.
- Hot Gospel Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 20, 2021.