Painting Pictures (song) explained

Painting Pictures
Cover:Superstar Pride - Painting Pictures.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Superstar Pride
Ep:5lbs of Pressure
Released:March 15, 2023
Recorded:2022
Genre:
  • Hip-hop
  • R&B
Length:2:02
Producer:
  • StunnaMade
  • Global Knockz

"Painting Pictures" is a song by American rapper Superstar Pride from his EP 5lbs of Pressure, released on October 19, 2022. The song contains a sample of "Soon as I Get Home" by Faith Evans and was produced by StunnaMade and Global Knockz. The song went viral through the video-sharing platform TikTok in 2023, following which it became Superstar Pride's breakout hit and first song to enter the Billboard Hot 100. It was released as his debut single on March 15, 2023.

Composition

In the song, Superstar Pride primarily raps about his family history and connection to street life, as he praises his mother for the way she raised him ("Mama, don't worry, you raised a gangster, I'm a survivor"). He also criticizes a woman who claims he impregnated her.[1] [2]

Release and promotion

First released independently in October 2022,[3] "Painting Pictures" received widespread exposure through TikTok, beginning when Superstar Pride posted a clip of himself performing it and also sporting a distinct haircut, in February 2023. The song has since soundtracked in many TikTok videos which recreate his performance and poke fun at his haircut; Superstar has said he finds them "hilarious". In February, having been used in over 38,000 videos on TikTok and reached over four million official streams in the United States, the song began to chart, soon becoming Superstar's first Top 25 hit in March 2023. At the height of its popularity, it was briefly removed from streaming services due to sample clearance issues. According to Steve Stoute, the CEO of the Translation marketing agency, rapper and Bad Boy Records founder Sean Combs, who co-wrote and co-produced "Soon as I Get Home", met Superstar, "loved him" and subsequently cleared up the sample, allowing it to return to streaming platforms.[4] The song was then released as the lead single from 5lbs of Pressure on March 15, 2023[5] along with a music video.[6]

Commercial performance

"Painting Pictures" debuted on Billboard Hot 100 at number 99 on February 22, 2023, concurrently with a peak of number 38 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It ascended to number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week dated March 11, 2023. The song has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Music video

The official music video was directed by GlobalKnockz, one of the producers of the song. It shows Superstar Pride surrounded by pictures, some of which he has framed himself, and painting ones as well.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Canadian Hot 100 (Billboard)[7] 28
Global 200 (Billboard)[8] 30
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 14
US Billboard Hot 100 (Billboard)[10] 25
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 9
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[12] 29

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 50

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ahmed . Insanul . Independent Rapper Superstar Pride's 'Painting Pictures' Removed From Streaming Services After Becoming Billboard Top 25 Hit . . 30 March 2023 . March 9, 2023.
  2. Web site: Coleman II . C. Vernon . Superstar Pride's 'Painting Pictures' Back on Streaming Services After Clearing Faith Evans Sample . XXL . 30 March 2023 . March 10, 2023.
  3. Zellner . Xander . Hot 100 First-Timers: Superstar Pride Makes a Splash With 'Painting Pictures' . . 30 March 2023 . February 22, 2023.
  4. Rys . Dan . Superstar Pride Stays Independent, as 'Painting Pictures' Sample Issue Clears Up . Billboard . 30 March 2023 . https://www.billboard.com/pro/superstar-pride-painting-pictures-sample-issue-unitedmasters-steve-stoute-diddy/ . March 28, 2023 . March 14, 2023 . live.
  5. Web site: Painting Pictures . . 30 March 2023 . March 15, 2023.
  6. News: Callwood . Brett . March 21, 2023 . Superstar Pride Paints Pictures . . 30 March 2023.
  7. Canadian Hot 100: Week of March 11, 2023. Billboard. March 31, 2023.
  8. Billboard Global 200: Week of March 11, 2023. Billboard. April 2, 2023.
  9. Web site: Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 9. Sverigetopplistan. April 2, 2023.
  10. Billboard Hot 100: Week of March 11, 2023. Billboard. March 31, 2023.
  11. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of March 11, 2023. Billboard. March 31, 2023.
  12. Rhythmic Airplay: Week of May 27, 2023. Billboard. May 23, 2023.
  13. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 23, 2023.