Rascal (Superstar) Explained

Rascal (Superstar)
Cover:	Tinashe - Rascal (Superstar).png
Type:	single
Artist:	Tinashe
Recorded:	2018
Genre:	Pop R&B
Label:	Tinashe Music
Producer:	Sage the Gemini
Chronology:	Tinashe
Prev Title:	Save Room For Us
Prev Year:	2020
Next Title:	Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Next Year:	2020

"Rascal (Superstar)" is a song by American singer Tinashe. It was released on July 17, 2020. The song was written by Tinashe and her brother, Kudzai Kachingwe, alongside co-writer Alex King, and was produced by Sage the Gemini.

Background

The song was conceived during Tinashe's Songs for You era.^[1] The song was first previewed on Instagram live several months prior to release.^[2]

"The vibes and energy were so infectious that It felt right to share, spontaneously. Since that day, my fans have been asking me to release the record nonstop! In the spirit of Songs For You I knew I had to drop it for my fans. Thanks to Sage the Gemini for producing – we are on some West Coast braggadocios vibes that, frankly, we all deserve."^[3]

Tinashe released a string of remixes from her previous studio album Songs for You, including "Hopscotch", "Die a Little Bit", "Touch & Go", and "Save Room For Us".

Composition and lyrics

"Rascal" (Superstar)" is a bouncy,^[4] "groovy, darker" track.^[5]

Critical reception

Meredith Kile for Kare11 praised the songs sonic qualities, calling it "an expensive-sounding track".^[6] Brooklyn Vegans Andrew Sacher called "Rascal" overall "a great dose of air, moody R&B".^[7]

Criticism drew from the song's lyrical content in context of the time of its release of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Joan Summers from Jezebel put it, the lyrics "[are] a perfectly fine sentiment, I guess, if we weren't currently living through these modern times".^[8]

Music video

The music video for the song accompanied its release the same day as the song, premiering on Tinashe's YouTube channel.^[9] It was directed by Jasper Soloff.^[10] The only feature in the music video is a Phantom 4 Pro drone.^[11]

Synopsis

The music video follows a socialite trapped in her home while live streaming to her fans.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Wass . Mike . Tinashe Rolls Out Slinky Bop "Rascal (Superstar)" . . July 17, 2020.
2. Web site: Cossich . Guilherme . Tinashe ostenta no luxuoso clipe de "Rascal (Superstar)" . Nação da Música . July 19, 2020 . pt-BR . July 19, 2020.
3. News: Rashed . Ayana . Tinashe Releases New Single and Quarantine-Inspired Music Video, "Rascal (Superstar)" . July 19, 2020 . RESPECT. . July 17, 2020.
4. News: Powell . Jon . Tinashe is a "Rascal" in new visual . July 17, 2020 . REVOLT . July 19, 2020 . en.
5. Web site: Gonsalves . Jennifer . Friday Features: Doja Cat, Kygo, HER, Troye Sivan, Kyle and more turn the summer heat up a notch this week . meaww.com . July 19, 2020 . en.
6. News: Kile . Meredith . New Music Friday: Drake, Keith Urban, The Chicks & More of the Hottest Songs and Albums of the Week . July 19, 2020 . . July 17, 2020.
7. Web site: Sacher . Andrew . 27 New Rap and R&B Songs Out This Week . BrooklynVegan . July 19, 2020 . en.
8. News: Juzwiak . Rich . Hope . Clover . Summers . Joan . Jhené Aiko's Summer Anthem Makes Room for Joy . July 19, 2020 . The Muse . July 17, 2020 . en-us.
9. News: Addesso . Valentina . Una sensuale Tinashe nel video di Rascal (Superstar) ispirato al periodo di lockdown . July 19, 2020 . Wonder Channel . July 18, 2020 . it-IT.
10. News: Bloom . Madison . Tinashe Shares Video for New Song "Rascal (Superstar)" . 19 July 2020 . Pitchfork . July 17, 2020.
11. News: Aswad . Jem . Drake & DJ Khaled, Tinashe, Anne-Marie and More Top Songs of the Week . 19 July 2020 . Variety . July 17, 2020 . en.
12. News: Peters . Mitchell . Tinashe Explores Surreal Quarantine Life in 'Rascal (Superstar)' Video: Watch . July 19, 2020 . Billboard . July 17, 2020.
13. Web site: Tinashe . Billboard. August 1, 2020.