BBL Drizzy
| "BBL Drizzy" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Instrumental by Metro Boomin | |
| Released | May 5, 2024 |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Length | 3:24 |
| Label | Self-release |
| Producer(s) | Metro Boomin |
"BBL Drizzy" (released as "BBL DRIZZY BPM 150.mp3") is an instrumental hip hop song by American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on May 5, 2024, via SoundCloud amid his involvement in the ongoing Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud. As part of the song's release, Metro announced publicly that anyone who delivered the best rap over the backing track with the #bbldrizzybeatgiveaway hashtag on social media would receive a beat from him for free. Metro updated the offer the next day, adding that the winner would also get $10,000 as a reward, and a runner-up would also receive a free beat.[1] "BBL Drizzy" samples an R&B parody song evocative of the 1970s created using artificial intelligence by comedic performer King Willonius.[2] The song's title alludes to a rumor that Drake received plastic surgery on his abs.
"BBL Drizzy" received a large amount of attention, receiving more than 3.3 million streams on SoundCloud within a week. The track and contest also evolved into a viral phenomenon in the following days, with users on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter creating countless remixes that spanned different music genres.[3] Notable personalities including Elon Musk and Dr. Miami have commented on the phenomenon.
Background[edit]
The Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud is an ongoing rap feud between American artist Kendrick Lamar and Canadian artist Drake which escalated in 2024. Metro Boomin became closely involved in the feud after he, Lamar and Future released the song "Like That" in March 2024 which further escalated the conflict.[4] In April 2024, Drake would release the song "Push Ups", in which he directly dismisses Metro's involvement in the feud with the line "shut your ho ass up and make some drums".[5] In the song "Family Matters", Drake further antagonizes Metro, directly calling him out in the song once again.[6][7]
Release[edit]
On May 5, 2024, Metro responded to Drake's diss on "Family Matters" on Twitter and released an instrumental titled "BBL DRIZZY 150 BPM.mp3" on SoundCloud, inviting fans to freestyle rap over it.[6] In addition to the release of the beat, Metro also announced that he would hold a contest on social media for whoever could produce the best freestyle rap over the beat, with the winner receiving a beat from him for free.[8] Users on social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram and Twitter were quick to react, releasing their own takes on the track shortly after.[9] On May 6, Metro announced that he would also give the winner a $10,000 prize, and a runner-up would also receive a beat.[10] Within a week, the song had received more than 3.3 million streams on SoundCloud and maintained the number one spot on the platform's "New and Hot" chart.[11] Metro has yet to pick a winner for the contest.
Track[edit]
The song samples an R&B parody song which shares the name of "BBL Drizzy" that holds a resemblance to 1970s music. The song was created by King Willonius, a comedic performer who used artificial intelligence to create the song. Willonius stated that he initially experimented with different music genres including country, afrobeats and yacht rock before settling on R&B.[2] The song was created with Udio, a generative artificial intelligence model that produces music.[12] [13]
The song's inclusion of "BBL Drizzy" in its title allude to comments made by rapper Rick Ross accusing Drake of receiving a Brazilian butt lift, a form of buttock augmentation surgery.[14] The sampled lyrics of the track also reference these rumors with lines such as "I'm thicker than a Snicker / I'm thicker than your ninja".[12]
Reception[edit]
Upon release, the track immediately received widespread attention on social media platforms. Notable celebrities and internet personalities including Elon Musk, Dr. Miami, Ludwig and QTCinderella reacted to the beat.[15][16] Several corporations also responded, including educational technology company Duolingo and meat producer Oscar Mayer.[17][16]
In addition to users releasing freestyle raps over the instrumental, the track also evolved into a viral phenomenon where users would create remixes of the song beyond the hip hop genre.[18] Many recreated the song in other genres, including house, merengue and Bollywood.[3][11] Users also created covers of the song on a variety of musical instruments, including on saxophone, guitar and harp.[3][11][16]
Use of artificial intelligence[edit]
"BBL Drizzy" has prompted widespread discussion regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence to create art and music. It is the first notable example of an AI generated song being used as a sample in commercial music production.[19] The acceptance of the song by the general public despite controversies surrounding AI art has prompted discussion regarding potential ramifications of a growth in commercial music utilizing AI.[20][19]
References[edit]
- ^ Ocho, Alex. "Metro Boomin Goes in on Drake, Drops "BBL Drizzy" With Beat Giveaway and $10K Reward: 'Now Go Make Another Song Telling More Lies'". Complex.
- ^ a b Curto, Justin (May 9, 2024). "Metro Boomin Couldn't Have Made 'BBL Drizzy' Without This Comedian". Vulture.
- ^ a b c Saponara, Michael (May 10, 2024). "Fan Remixes of Metro Boomin's Drake Diss 'BBL Drizzy' Are Starting to Going Viral: Listen". Billboard.
- ^ Gee, Andre (March 25, 2024). "Drake Replies to Kendrick Lamar's 'Like That' Diss -- Sort Of".
- ^ Davis, Wes (April 16, 2024). "Drake muddies the "Push Ups" AI debate with a deepfake". The Verge.
- ^ a b "Drake Unveils Latest Kendrick Lamar Diss Track "Family Matters"". May 4, 2024.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (May 4, 2024). "Drake Fires Back at Kendrick Lamar on New Song "Family Matters"". Pitchfork.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (May 6, 2024). "Metro Boomin Responds to Drake's Disses & Hosts 'BBL Drizzy' Beat Giveaway". Billboard.
- ^ Cline, Georgette ClineGeorgette (May 9, 2024). "20 of the Best Entries for Metro Boomin's 'BBL Drizzy' Beat Giveaway". XXL Mag.
- ^ II, C. Vernon Coleman IIC Vernon Coleman (May 7, 2024). "Metro Boomin Ups Ante on BBL Drizzy Beat Giveaway, Offers $10,000 to Winner". XXL Mag.
- ^ a b c "The Saga of 'BBL Drizzy'". Gizmodo. May 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Lawrence, Andrew (May 9, 2024). "'I bet Drake heard it and laughed': BBL Drizzy is the real winner of the Drake-Kendrick feud" – via The Guardian.
- ^ Robinson, Kristin (May 15, 2024). "'Metro Boomin's 'BBL Drizzy' Is More Than a Joke – It Could Signal the Future of Sampling" – via Billboard.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (April 15, 2024). "A Timeline of Drake & Rick Ross' Relationship: Collabs, Feuds & A Lost Joint Album". Billboard.
- ^ Cowen, Trace William. "Dr. Miami Is Looping Metro Boomin's Drake-Mocking "BBL Drizzy" Beat at His Office: 'New Favorite Song'". Complex.
- ^ a b c "What does 'BBL Drizzy' mean? TikTok trend explained". Dexerto. May 9, 2024.
- ^ Ech, Joey EchJoey (May 10, 2024). "Oscar Mayer Capitalizes on Drake's Current Beefs by Launching the BBL Glizzy Hot Dog Campaign". XXL Mag.
- ^ "Metro Boomin's Diss Track 'BBL Drizzy' Is Getting the Remix Treatment". BET.
- ^ a b Robinson, Kristin (May 15, 2024). "Metro Boomin's 'BBL Drizzy' Is More Than a Joke – It Could Signal the Future of Sampling".
- ^ Park, Gene (14 May 2024). "A song about Drake's butt might be a real breakthrough for AI art". Washington Post. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
