| The Illest | |
| Cover: | TheIllestFEM.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Far East Movement featuring Riff Raff or ScHoolboy Q |
| Album: | Dirty Bass Ktown Riot |
| Released: | (for version w/ RiFF RAFF) (for version w/ ScHoolboy Q) |
| Recorded: | 2013 |
| Length: | 3:40 |
| Label: | Cherrytree/Interscope |
| Producer: | Axident, Wallpaper.[1] |
| Chronology: | Far East Movement |
| Prev Title: | Get Up (Rattle) |
| Prev Year: | 2012 |
| Next Title: | Bang It to the Curb |
| Next Year: | 2014 |
"The Illest" is a song by American hip hop group Far East Movement. The song was co-written and produced by Norwegian music producer and songwriter Axident and Wallpaper. aka Ricky Reed, and features a guest appearance from American rapper Riff Raff. It was released digitally as a single on July 2, 2013 and has since peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs. "The Illest" was featured as a bonus track and a single from the 2013 Special Edition release of their fourth studio album Dirty Bass (becoming the album's fifth single overall).
"The Illest" was originally featured on Far East Movement released a mixtape titled GRZZLY that was released on May 29, 2013. Then a few days later the group released a new version of the song, now featuring rapper Riff Raff.[2] On July 2, 2013, the new version was released for digital download as a single by Cherrytree Records and Interscope Records.[3] [4] Far East Movement then created a Tumblr titled FuckYeahIllest to help promote the song.[5] The song was then featured on their EP Murder Was the Bass, which was released on December 9, 2013.[6] They also have said the song would be featured on their upcoming fifth studio album.[7]
The music video was directed by Mike Clattenburg and filmed at Los Angeles Center Studios. It was released on July 23, 2013, with an cameo appearance by Hugh Jackman.[5] It features a blindingly dull office getting raided and destroyed by Far East Movement and Riff Raff, in a manner that nods to Office Space and Workaholics.[8] Additionally the music video features cameo appearances from Lil Debbie, Dumbfoundead, Jeffree Star, Nice Peter, Watsky among other popular YouTube personalities.[5] [9]
A second music video was released on April 15, 2014 in support of their Ktown Riot EP. The video was inspired by the Koreatown riots of 1992. Snoop Dogg makes a cameo appearance, as well as Los Angeles / Koreatown residents Tokimonsta. Riff Raff is also seen performing his verse.[10]
A video was also made using a mash-up of the Deorro and Victor Niglio remixes. It was published to YouTube through the group's Vevo channel on December 10, 2013, and features scenes from The Illest Tour.[11]
On March 4, 2014, the official remix, mixed by DJ Eman, was released. The remix features guest appearances by Schoolboy Q and B.o.B, as well as Riff Raff's verse from the original.[12] [13] On April 16, 2014, an alternate version of the song, featuring a slightly altered arrangement and vocals from Schoolboy Q, was released as a digital download.[14] [15] [16] This version was included as the lead track on their late-2014 EP Ktown Riot.
| for version w/ RiFF RAFF | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Date | Format | Label | |
| United States Canada | July 2, 2013 | Digital download – single | Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records | |
| February 4, 2014[18] | Rhythmic contemporary radio airplay | |||
| April 22, 2014[19] | Digital download – Remixes | |||
| for version w/ ScHoolboy Q | ||||
| Country | Date | Format | Label | |
| United States Canada | April 16, 2014 | Digital download – single | Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records | |