| Vans | |
| Cover: | The Pack - Vans.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | The Pack |
| Ep: | Skateboards 2 Scrapers |
| Released: | September 12, 2006 |
| Genre: | |
| Length: | 4:15 |
| Label: |
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| Producer: | Young L |
| Next Title: | I'm Shinin' |
| Next Year: | 2006 |
"Vans" is the debut single by American hip hop group The Pack, released in 2006 as the lead single from their EP Skateboards 2 Scrapers (2006). It is their most successful song, peaking at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. The title references the skate shoe brand of the same name.
Young L created the beat for the song in five minutes. When Lil B heard the beat, he blurted out the lyrics that would become the chorus: "Got my Vans on but they look like sneakers."[1] The Pack first released the song on their MySpace page.[2] It became a surprise hit for them and caught the attention of rapper Too Short, who then signed the Pack to his Up All Nite label.
A music video for the song was released in August 2006[3] and aired on BET, but MTV and MTV Jams refused to show the video because it promoted a consumer product. However, MTV aired an edited version of the video, in which the word "Vans" was censored throughout the song.[4] [5] The song was released to streaming services on September 12, 2006.[6]
The song was placed at number 5 on Rolling Stones "Best Songs of 2006" list.[7]
An official remix of the song featuring Too Short and rapper Mistah F.A.B. was released from Skateboards 2 Scrapers.[8] Rapper Lil Wayne also released a freestyle to the song.[9]