Big Energy

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
"Big Energy"
File:Latto - Big Energy.png
Single by Latto
from the album 777
Released September 24, 2021 (2021-09-24)
Recorded
  • 2021
Genre
Length 2:54
3:01 (remix)
Label
  • Streamcut
  • RCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Latto singles chronology
"The Biggest"
(2021)		 "Big Energy"
(2021)		 "Soufside"
(2021)
Music video
"Big Energy" on YouTube
{{{This album}}}
{{{This album}}}
Music video
"Big Energy (Remix)" on YouTube

"Big Energy" is a song by American rapper Latto. It was released through Streamcut and RCA Records on September 24, 2021,[1] as the lead single from Latto's second studio album, 777 (2022). It was written by Latto, A1 LaFlare, Jaucquez Lowe, Randall Hammers, Theron Thomas, Lukasz Gottwald, and Vaughn Oliver, with the latter two handling the production. Adrian Belew, Chris Frantz, Steven Stanley, and Tina Weymouth received songwriting credits since the song samples Tom Tom Club's 1981 song "Genius of Love". "Big Energy" has been described as pop and pop-rap.

The music video for the song plays with the pun between Latto and lottery. A remix with American singer Mariah Carey featuring DJ Khaled was released on March 28, 2022, with an interpolation of Carey's song "Fantasy", which also heavily samples "Genius of Love". "Big Energy" earned Latto her highest-charting song on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three in April 2022. Consequently, it became the highest-charting solo song by a female rapper since March 2021. It also reached the top 10 in Australia and Canada, and top 20 in New Zealand. "Big Energy" became Latto's breakthrough on mainstream radio, and she performed the song live on several television appearances.

Background and release

Original

In May 2021, Latto released the song "The Biggest" following the announcement of her stage name changing from Mulatto to Latto.[2] Released in September, "Big Energy" was first premiered at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, where Latto performed three songs in short segments throughout the show.[3] Latto also promoted the song with performances at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards[4] and on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[5] In April 2022, she performed a medley of "Big Energy" and "Sunshine" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[6]

Remix

Latto has stated that she first conceived the idea of having American singer Mariah Carey on the remix back in November 2021. Although she was her first option, Latto "did not think [she] could get her realistically".[7]

On March 25, 2022, Latto revealed that Mariah Carey and record producer DJ Khaled will be featured on her "Big Energy" remix, set to be released March 28, 2022. This announcement came days after speculation on who was to be featured on the song's remix grew as Latto released her album's tracklist, blurring the featured artist's name. A few days later, on March 25, Latto ultimately revealed through the single cover art that the blurred artist would be Mariah Carey, after a Twitter exchange between the two artists, which further increased speculation.[8][9]

Recording and production

Original

Latto told Billboard that in the lyrics she took the "masculine, trendy 'big dick energy' quote" from social media and made it a concept that all genders can have and take it deeper than just a sexual aspect. Latto added, "I wanted it to be empowering. It's an aura that you carry and a confidence. It’s just an overall vibe and when you walk in the room, you have 'big energy' and no one can tell you otherwise".[9] Her A&R representatives first played her the beat during a studio session in Los Angeles, which she felt keen on but perceived it as musically different and "out of [her] comfort zone". Latto described the writing process as a dynamic collaborative effort, collecting different opinions with "people in the room [to] bounce ideas off of each other... talking out loud, playing the beat out loud. It wasn't a sit-down-and-write type of thing... and I was asking the girls in the room, 'What does big energy mean to you?'[10]

The song was produced by Dr. Luke and Vaughn Oliver. The funk-infused[11][12] pop[13] and pop-rap song[14] heavily samples the 1981 single, "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club, one of the most sampled rhythm tracks of the 1980s, particularly within the hip hop and R&B genre.[15] Notable sample uses of that single include Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde's "Genius Rap" in 1981; Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "It's Nasty" in 1982; Mariah Carey's "Fantasy" in 1995; and The X-Ecutioners' "Genius of Love 2002" in 2002.[16] Latto stated that the sample was a new sound for her that "might cause controversy", but felt confident that its catchiness would bring a new audience and wider fanbase to her career.[10] In another interview, however, Latto declared that she wants to avoid the mainstream public thinking that her music catalogue sounds similar to the pop-leaning "Big Energy", saying that she prioritizes rap music with different composition and that "that's not where [her] heart is".[17]

Remix

In the Mariah Carey remix, Carey supplies her signature whistle notes to the intro of the song, while Latto raps the first verse. Carey follows with an interpolation of the opening verse of her song "Fantasy", and then sings the post-chorus that merges both songs.[18][19] Musically, the remix has been described as a blend of pop and R&B.[20]

Critical reception

Original

Melinda Fakuade of Rolling Stone wrote about Latto experimenting with the pop sound, saying it is "a conscious attempt of a creative risk", and perceiving "Big Energy" as "hyper-curated for the TikTok generation".[21] In Clash, Ana Lamond said that the "playful" single channels "colourful nostalgia with a lush, groovy finish," that welcomes a "pop-centric commercial appeal" on the album.[22] Billboard's Rania Aniftos wrote that Latto put a "femenine, empowering spin" on the social media phrase for the "energetic" track.[23] Jordan Bassett from NME wrote that the song is "a dumb, fun summer anthem wrapped up in a squelchy sample" that is "the feel-good highpoint" of the album.[24] Aaron Williams of Uproxx said that the "spunky" track represents a departure from her previously established sound to a "lighthearted" song.[25] In a mixed review, Tom Breihan in Stereogum opined the single "hypercharged" the strategy of using nostalgic beats, and called it a "cynical and obvious hit-chasing attempt", further adding from its "glitzy video" to its "gleaming hooks" is "pure product".[14] Pitchfork's Tyra Trichefelt thought the song sounds "almost like a jingle", and felt unconvinced by the lyrics and the "bit dated" meme it references.[26]

Remix

In Variety, Ellise Shafer called the Mariah Carey remix a "crossover of epic proportions", as both Latto's "Big Energy" and Carey's "Fantasy" sample the same track.[18] Glenn Rowley of Billboard called it a "sparkling collab".[19] Uproxx's Caitlin White considered it a "bonafide R&B/pop hit".[20]

Commercial performance

Original

"Big Energy" debuted at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100, for the week dated November 24, 2021, becoming Latto's highest-charting song on the chart since "Bitch from da Souf", which peaked at number 95 in 2020. Supported by the release of the remix, the song reached number three in its 23rd week on the chart, becoming Latto's first top 10 entry. It became the highest-charting solo song by a female rapper since Cardi B's "Up" in March 2021.[27][28] "Big Energy" has spent four weeks in the top five so far. The song also reached number one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs, a first for Latto in both of them.[29][28] It has topped each for two weeks so far.

Latto became the first female rapper since Lizzo (2019) to reach number one on the Radio Songs chart.[30] Latto also became the first female rapper to reach number one on the Mainstream Top 40, Urban, and Rhythmic radio formats with the same song. It marked the sixth song by a female artist to accomplish this, following Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" (2005), Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" (2005), Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" (2006), Alicia Keys' "No One" (2007), and Rihanna's "Rude Boy" (2010).[31] Among component charts, the song became Latto's first top 10 on the US Streaming Songs chart.

Remix

The remix with Mariah Carey featuring DJ Khaled reached number one on the US Digital Song Sales chart, becoming Latto's first chart-topper, Carey's fourth, and Khaled's third.[32] In Australia, it peaked at number six, becoming Latto's first top-ten hit there, Khaled's fifth, and Carey's 18th (being also her first song to hit the top-ten in nine years since "#Beautiful" in 2013; and her highest charting single since the aforementioned song).[33]

In the United Kingdom, the remix peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles chart, becoming Latto's first top-40 hit there, Khaled's eighth, and Carey's 40th (being also her first song since "#Beautiful" to hit the top-40 in the country; and her highest charting song there since "I Want to Know What Love Is" in 2009).[34] In Ireland, as peaking at number 20, "Big Energy" (Remix) became Latto's first top-20 hit there, Khaled's sixth, and Carey's 22nd (also being both her first song in 14 years to hit the top-20 in the country and her highest-charting song since "Touch My Body" in 2008).

Other

The song was featured in the 2022 action romantic-comedy film The Lost City. It plays during the final scene and subsequent end credits as the main characters (played by Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum) share a kiss on a beach.

Music video

The song's video was directed by Arrad. It was released alongside the song. According to Complex, the video "capitalizes on the theme of chance", as the clip's leading man gives it a try at the lottery, while Latto is dancing and singing against a "casino backdrop", and the man gets struck "by what seems to be Cupid's arrow".[35] The concept plays with the Latto/lotto pun.[36] The video features a scene of Latto wearing an attire in the colors of a lady beetle, represented in the cover art for the single.[1]

Live performances

In April 2022, Latto performed "Big Energy" and "Sunshine" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[37] A month later, Latto performed "Big Energy" at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.[38] She performed the remix of "Big Energy" at the 2022 BET Awards, featuring a guest appearance from Mariah Carey.[39][40]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[41]

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

  • Latto – songwriting, vocals
  • Mariah Carey – songwriting, vocals (remix only)
  • DJ Khaled – vocals (remix only)
  • Lukasz Gottwald – co-production, songwriting
  • Vaughn Oliver – co-production, songwriting
  • A1 LaFlare – songwriting
  • Jaucquez Lowe – songwriting
  • Randall Hammers – songwriting
  • Tina Weymouth – songwriting
  • Chris Frantz – songwriting
  • Steven Stanley – songwriting
  • Adrian Belew – songwriting
  • Dave Hall – songwriting (remix only)
  • Joey Galvan – engineer
  • Kalani Thompson – engineer
  • Brian Garten – engineer (remix only)
  • Dale Becker – mastering engineer
  • Clint Gibbs – mixing engineer
  • Connor Hedge – engineer assistant
  • Fili Filizzola – engineer assistant
  • Hector Vega – engineer assistant
  • Tyler Sheppard – engineer assistant
  • Chloe Angelides – background vocals

Charts

Chart performance for "Big Energy"
Chart (2021–2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[42] 13
Australia Urban (ARIA)[43] 5
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[44] 9
Canada AC (Billboard)[45] 29
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[46] 1
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[47] 8
Germany Download (Official German Charts)[48] 55
Global 200 (Billboard)[49] 32
Hungary (Single Top 40)[50] 16
Ireland (IRMA)[51] 65
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[52] 12
Panama Anglo (Monitor Latino)[53] 12
10
South Africa (RISA)[54] 62
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[55] 57
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[56] 31
US Billboard Hot 100[28] 3
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[57] 8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[58] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[59][60] 1
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[29] 1
Chart performance for "Big Energy" (Remix)
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[61] 6
Australia Urban (ARIA)[62] 2
Ireland (IRMA)[63] 20
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[64] 20
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[65] 21
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[66] 7
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[67] 1

Certifications

Certifications for "Big Energy / Big Energy (Remix)"
Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[68] Platinum 70,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[69] Platinum 15,000
United States (RIAA)[70] Platinum 1,000,000

xunspecified figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

Release history for "Big Energy"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various September 24, 2021
Original
  • Streamcut
  • RCA
 [1]
United States October 12, 2021 Rhythmic contemporary radio [71]
Urban contemporary radio [72]
Various March 28, 2022
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Remix [9]
March 31, 2022 Explicit Remix [73]
Italy April 15, 2022 Radio airplay Remix Sony [74]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20220408" UK Singles Chart.
  56. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20220408" UK R&B Chart.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20220513" UK Singles Chart.
  66. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20220513" UK R&B Chart.
  67. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  68. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  69. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  71. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  73. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Big_Energy&oldid=726460483"