Element (song)
"Element" | |
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Song by Kendrick Lamar | |
from the album Damn | |
Recorded | 2017 |
Studio | Jungle City Studios |
Genre | Hip hop |
Length | 3:28 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
Music video | |
"Element" on YouTube |
"Element" (stylized as "ELEMENT.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The fourth track on the album (eleventh on the Collector's Edition of Damn[2]), the song was written by Lamar, Sounwave, James Blake, and Ricci Riera and produced by Sounwave, Blake, and Riera, with additional production by Tae Beast and Bēkon.[3] The song charted in multiple countries in 2017.
Background[edit]
The song was first introduced by basketball player LeBron James on his Instagram story when he filmed himself dancing to the song prior to Damn's release.[4][5]
Lyrics[edit]
The track opens with a skit from Kid Capri, who refers to Lamar as "Kung Fu Kenny". Afterwards Kendrick Lamar repeats the phrase "I don't give a fuck", before the first verse starts.[6]
Some sources have interpreted the song as a diss track on American rappers Big Sean[7] and Drake.[6] However, Andres Tardio of Rap-Up has stated the song's hook as a possible diss on Drake, Big Sean, or American recording artist Jay Electronica.[8][7][6]
The second verse of the song has been described to have a resemblance to Lamar's "The Heart Part 4", a song also theorized to have contained lyrics that diss Drake and Big Sean.[6] The second verse as follows:
Production[edit]
The song features production from musician and producer James Blake.[9] Ricci Riera, who previously worked as a producer on the Lamar-Schoolboy Q collaboration "Collard Greens", also worked as producer for the song.[9] The song contains a sample of "Ha" by rapper Juvenile from his third studio album 400 Degreez.[10][11]
Music video[edit]
The song's accompanying music video premiered on June 27, 2017 on Lamar's Vevo channel on YouTube.[12] The video was directed by Jonas Lindstroem and The Little Homies[13][14] (pseudonyms for Lamar himself and Dave Free).[15][16][17]
Described as violent[18] and powerful,[19] the music video contains powerful imagery, some of which contains direct references to photographs of civil rights photographer, musician, writer, and director Gordon Parks.[20][21] The video also mimics the imagery from the music video for "Humble", the first single from Damn.[22]
The music video has received positive reviews.[23] Lawrence Burney of noisey called the video "the masterpiece you anticipated."[23]
Critical reception[edit]
Joe Price of Pigeons and Planes named "Element" as one of the best songs of the week, the week of April 14, 2017, saying the song has "memorable verses and a sticky hook over some sparse but gorgeous production."[24] Continuing, Price says "Element" is "a prime example of what makes Damn an immediately appealing body of work that is just as rewarding as his more challenging output."[24] Meave McDermott of USA Today, in a positive review, said the song "still sounds sharp and unforgiving even when he's coining catchphrases."[4]
Live performances[edit]
Lamar performed "Element" for the first time live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017.[25][26][27][28] His performance at Coachella was highly acclaimed, with the L.A. Times describing his performance as "simple, yet powerful."[26]
Lamar has performed "Element" on the Damn tour.[29]
Credits and personnel[edit]
Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet.[1]
- Kendrick Lamar – songwriter
- Mark Spears – songwriter, producer
- James Blake – songwriter, producer
- Ricci Riera – songwriter, producer
- Tae Beast – additional production
- Bēkon – additional production
- Kid Capri – additional vocals
- Matt Schaeffer – mixing
- James Hunt – mixing
- Derek Ali – mixing
- Tyler Page – mix assistant
- Cyrus Taghipour – mix assistant
- Zeke Mishanec – additional recording
- Brendan Silas Perry – additional recording
Charts[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications[edit]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[45] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[46] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[48] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Digital Booklet - DAMN. copy.pdf". DocDroid. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ India, Lindsey (December 8, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition". XXL. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
- ^ "Here's the full credit list for Kendrick Lamar's DAMN". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ a b McDermott, Maeve (April 14, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.': A track-by-track instant review". USA Today. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ a b Kendrick Lamar – ELEMENT., retrieved April 24, 2017
- ^ a b c d e Castro, Danilo (April 14, 2017). "Did Kendrick Lamar Take Shots At Big Sean & Drake On His New Album 'DAMN'?". Heavy.com. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ a b Gallagher, Caitlin. "Did Kendrick Lamar Diss Big Sean On "Element"? Fans Have Major Suspicions". Bustle. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ Tardio, Andres (April 20, 2017). "14 Times Kendrick Lamar Made Us Say 'DAMN.' on His Album". Rap-Up. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ a b "Kendrick Lamar's 'Damn.': A Track-by-Track Guide". Rolling Stone. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar's 'ELEMENT.' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Every Sample On Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.'". YouTube. Genius. April 17, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Drops 'Element' Video". XXL. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Brawls in the Street in Powerful New Video for "Element"". Complex. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- ^ "Watch Kendrick Lamar Weigh Peace, Violence in Striking 'Element' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- ^ Craighead, Olivia (June 27, 2017). "Drake Announces 2017 OVO Fest Lineup". The FADER. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (June 27, 2017). "Watch Kendrick Lamar Brawl in Intense New "ELEMENT." Video | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- ^ Gotrich, Lars (June 27, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Deals Heavy Blows In Video For 'ELEMENT.'". NPR.org. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- ^ Moore, Sam (June 27, 2017). "Watch Kendrick Lamar's violent new video for 'ELEMENT.' - NME". NME. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Cowen, Trace William (June 27, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Brawls in the Street in Powerful New Video for "Element"". Complex. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (June 27, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's "ELEMENT." Video Referenced Iconic Gordon Parks Photos". The FADER. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Rife, Katie (June 28, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar pays tribute to a pioneer in sublime "Element" video". Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (June 27, 2017). "Watch Kendrick Lamar Weigh Peace, Violence in Striking 'Element' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ a b Burney, Lawrence (June 27, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's "Element" Video Is the Masterpiece You Anticipated". Noisey. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ a b Price, Joe. "Best Songs of the Week - Kendrick Lamar - "Element"". PigeonsandPlanes. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Performs 'Element,' 'i' and More at 2017 Coachella - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ a b "Kendrick Lamar sends off Coachella weekend 2 on a high note". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Setlist at Coachella Festival 2017". setlist.fm. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Commands Coachella Stage on Day 3 of Final Weekend, Hans Zimmer Rocks, Justice Light it Up". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ Masley, Ed (July 13, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. Tour in Glendale with triumphant one-man show of force". AZ Central. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Element." (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Element." (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Element." (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Element." (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 1, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Element.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Element.". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ Mendizabal, Amaya (April 24, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.': All 14 Tracks Hit Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Year-End 2017". Billboard. Billboard.com. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Element". Music Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Element". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Element". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2018.