"Nice for What"
Single by Drake
from the album Scorpion
ReleasedApril 6, 2018 (2018-04-06)
Recorded2018
GenreBounce
Length3:30
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Drake singles chronology
"Walk It Talk It"
(2018)		 "Nice for What"
(2018)		 "Yes Indeed"
(2018)
Music video
"Nice for What" on YouTube

"Nice for What" is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake from his fifth studio album Scorpion (2018). It was released by Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records as the second single from the album on April 6, 2018, along with its music video. The song was produced by Murda Beatz, Noah "40" Shebib and Corey Litwin with co-production handled by Blaqnmild. It features additional vocals by Big Freedia and 5th Ward Weebie. It contains a sample from "Ex-Factor", written and performed by Lauryn Hill, which itself samples "Can It Be All So Simple", written and performed by Wu-Tang Clan. The latter song also samples "The Way We Were". Therefore, Hill, the eight members of Wu-Tang Clan, and Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman are credited among the composers.[1]

It debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, replacing Drake's own "God's Plan" and becoming his fifth US number one.[2] It also topped the UK Singles Chart and ARIA Singles Chart, becoming his second number-one song of 2018 in the two countries after "God's Plan".[3] Rolling Stone ranked it 54th on their list of the '100 Best Songs of the 2010s'. In 2021, The Guardian ranked it number-one on their list of 'Drake's 30 Greatest songs'.[4] The song was awarded two ASCAP Awards, including Top Rap Song, and was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Background

On March 14, 2018, Lauryn Hill's son Joshua Omaru Marley posted a snippet of the song on Snapchat.[5] Drake later confirmed an upcoming Murda Beatz-produced single during an Instagram Live session.[6] On April 5, Drake made a surprise appearance during a Majid Jordan concert in Toronto.[7][8][9] "The reason I'm here tonight is because I'm back in the city finishing my album," he told the audience. "I've got a new single dropping tomorrow night, too, just in case you got some free time."[10][11][12][13]

Composition

"Nice for What" is an upbeat bounce song which contains elements of early 2000s R&B,[14][15][16] with a length of three minutes thirty seconds.[17] It samples Lauryn Hill's song "Ex-Factor" (1998), "Drag Rap" by the Showboys (1986), "Get Your Roll On" by Big Tymers (2000), and also features clips from performances by Big Freedia.[18][19][20] Lyrically, the hook of Drake's song samples Lauryn Hill singing about "cutting loose in the midst of a relationship".[21]

Music video

Directed by Karena Evans, the accompanying music video shows women carrying out various activities, including swimming, dancing, modeling, playing with children, horse-riding, and holding a business meeting.[22] It features guest appearances from, in order of appearance,[23] Olivia Wilde, Misty Copeland, Issa Rae, Rashida Jones, Jourdan Dunn, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tiffany Haddish, Yara Shahidi, Zoe Saldana, Elizabeth and Victoria Lejonhjärta, Letitia Wright, Bria Vinaite, Emma Roberts, Syd, Michelle Rodriguez and Drake himself.[24][25][26][27] Evans called it an honour to work on the video, writing on Instagram that it was "a privilege and a blessing to have told this story with every single one of you revolutionary women, both in front and behind the camera".[28]

Critical reception

"Nice for What" received positive reviews from music critics, with many praising its promotion of female empowerment.[29][30] Hugh McIntyre of Forbes regarded the "perfectly-pitched" song as "another perfect delivery from the biggest artist in hip-hop", writing that the "vocal sample helps the track stand out from much of the rest of his discography".[22] Kevin Lozano of Pitchfork awarded the song "Best New Track", praising Drake for "smoothly handling the impeccable production from Murda Beatz", and lauding the song as "a fantastic piece of hip-hop machinery" and "one of Drake's most complete releases in some time".[31]

Chris DeVille of Stereogum deemed the song "a big, brash, almost obnoxiously loud New Orleans bounce-inspired production", describing it as "extremely poppy and sounds like a bid for continued commercial dominance".[32]

Billboard named "Nice for What" the fifth-best song of 2018.[33] Rolling Stone also named "Nice for What" the fifth-best song of 2018,[34] and ranked it 54th on their list of the '100 Best Songs of the 2010s'.[35]

Commercial performance

In the United States, Drake became the first artist to have a new number-one debut replace his former number-one debut ("God's Plan") at the top of the Hot 100. It debuted with 88,000 downloads sold and 60.4 million streams. "Nice for What" became the 30th song in Billboard history to enter at number one. It also became Drake's fifth US number-one song overall and third as a lead artist.[2] The song also became the first song to debut on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart in the top 10.[36] "Nice for What" topped the Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks before it was replaced on May 14, 2018, by Childish Gambino's "This Is America".[37][38][39] It then returned for a fifth non-consecutive week at the number one spot on the issue date June 2, 2018.[40] On the issue dated July 14, 2018, "Nice for What" became the first song to reach number one in four nonconsecutive runs. It topped the Hot 100 for eight nonconsecutive weeks. On July 21, 2018, it was replaced at the top by another Drake song, “In My Feelings” and slipped to the number four spot. It ultimately remained in the top ten for 17 weeks.[41]

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Result
2018 Teen Choice Awards Choice Summer Song Nominated
iHeartRadio MMVAs Best Director Nominated
Song of the Summer Nominated
BET Hip Hop Awards Single of the Year Nominated
2019 Grammy Awards Best Rap Performance Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards Hip-Hop Song of the Year Nominated
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards[42] Award Winning Rap Songs Won
Top Rap Song Won

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and Qobuz.

  • Aubrey Graham — vocals, lyrics, composition
  • Paul "Nineteen85" Jeffries – co-production, composition, lyrics, additional vocals
  • Noah "40" Shebib – production, mixing, lyrics, composition
  • Noel Cadastre — recording engineer
  • Maneesh Bidaye — lyrics, additional vocals, composition
  • Corey Litwin – production
  • No I.D. – lyrics
  • Harley Arsenault – assistant production, lyrics, mixing assistance, composition
  • Greg Moffet – mixing assistance
  • Ronald Moonoo – mixing assistance
  • Chris Quock – recording engineering assistance
  • Noel "Gadget" Campbell – mixing
  • Mike Gaydusek – record engineering
  • Big Freedia – additional vocals
  • 5thward Weebie – additional vocals
  • Glenishe "Bobby Jean" Rowe – additional vocals

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[92] 6× Platinum 420,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[93] Gold 20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[94] 4× Platinum 320,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[95] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[96] Platinum 200,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[97] Gold 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[98] Gold 25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[99] Platinum 30,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[100] Platinum 10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[101] 3× Platinum 1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[102] 9× Platinum 9,000,000‡
Streaming
Sweden (GLF)[103] Platinum 8,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various April 6, 2018 Digital download [17]
United States April 10, 2018 Rhythmic and Urban contemporary radio
[104]

References

  1. ↑ "The Sampling History Behind Drake's 'Nice For What': A Timeline". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  2. 1 2 Trust, Gary (April 16, 2018). "Drake Dethrones Himself Atop Hot 100, as 'Nice for What' Debuts at No. 1, Replacing 'God's Plan'". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Drake's 30 greatest songs – ranked!". the Guardian. 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  5. ↑ "Listen to a Snippet of a Drake and Lauryn Hill Collaboration". Rap-Up. March 14, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  6. ↑ Mojica, Nick (March 22, 2018). "Drake Confirms New Single on the Way Is Produced by Murda Beatz". XXL. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  7. ↑ Wicks, Amanda (April 6, 2018). "Drake Says He's Releasing a New Song Tomorrow". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  8. ↑ Thiessen, Brock (April 6, 2018). "Drake Is Releasing a New Single Friday Night". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  9. ↑ Robles, Jonathan (April 6, 2018). "New Drake Song Is Coming Very, Very Soon". Variance. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  10. ↑ Rolli, Bryan (April 6, 2018). "Drake Confirms He's Finishing New Album, Drops 'Nice For What' Song/Video". Forbes. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  11. ↑ Jones, Abby (April 6, 2018). "Drake Says He's Dropping a New Single Tonight". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  12. ↑ Aswad, Jem (April 6, 2018). "Drake Says He's Dropping a New Song Tonight (Video)". Variety. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  13. ↑ Grant, Teddy (April 6, 2018). "Drake Announces He's Dropping New Single Tonight". Ebony. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  14. ↑ Peters, Mitchell (April 7, 2018). "Drake Drops New Lauryn Hill-Sampling Song and Video 'Nice For What': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  15. ↑ Peters, Micah (April 9, 2018). ""Nice for What" Is Another Inevitable Victory for Drake". The Ringer. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  16. ↑ Ting, Jasmine (April 7, 2018). "Drake Does Everything Right in 'Nice For What'". Paper. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  17. 1 2 "Nice For What / Drake TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  18. ↑ Hussein, Wandera (April 7, 2018). "Legendary New Orleans bounce producer BlaqNmilD talks co-producing "Nice For What"". The Fader. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  19. ↑ Welsh, April (April 7, 2018). "Watch the star-studded video for Drake's new song 'Nice For What'". Fact. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  20. ↑ Carmichael, Rodney (April 7, 2018). "Drake Bounces, Looking To Uplift Single Women As They Drop It Low". WPSU. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  21. ↑ Arcand, Rob (April 7, 2018). "Video: Drake – "Nice For What"". Spin. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  22. 1 2 McIntyre, Hugh (April 6, 2018). "Drake Drops Energetic New Single 'Nice For What'". Forbes. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  23. ↑ Maicki, Salvatore (April 7, 2018). "A breakdown of all the cameos in Drake's "Nice For What" video". The Fader. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  24. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (April 7, 2018). "Watch Drake's Star-Studded Video for New Song 'Nice for What'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  25. ↑ Young, Alex (April 7, 2018). "Drake drops new single "Nice For What" and all-star video: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  26. ↑ Hall, Gerrad (April 7, 2018). "Olivia Wilde, Tiffany Haddish, Issa Rae, more powerful women star in Drake's 'Nice for What' video". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  27. ↑ Blais-Billie, Braudie; Wicks, Amanda (April 7, 2018). "Drake's New "Nice for What" Video Stars Issa Rae, Olivia Wilde, Rashida Jones: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  28. ↑ Saad, Nardine (April 7, 2018). "Drake lauds celebrity girl squad in new 'Nice for What' video". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  29. ↑ Chaplain, Chloe (April 7, 2018). "Drake 'Nice For What' track praised for promoting female empowerment". London Evening Standard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  30. ↑ Mapstone, Lucy (April 7, 2018). "Drake praised for empowering women with star-studded new video". Irish Independent. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  31. ↑ Lozano, Kevin (April 7, 2018). ""Nice for What" by Drake Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  32. ↑ DeVille, Chris (April 7, 2018). "Drake – "Nice For What" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2018: Critics' Picks". Billboard.
  34. ↑ Dolan, Brittany Spanos,Rob Sheffield,Will Hermes,Maura Johnston,Suzy Exposito,Simon Vozick-Levinson,Elias Leight,Charles Holmes,Mosi Reeves,Jonathan Bernstein,Christian Hoard,Jon; Spanos, Brittany; Sheffield, Rob; Hermes, Will; Johnston, Maura; Exposito, Suzy; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Leight, Elias; Holmes, Charles (2018-12-14). "50 Best Songs of 2018". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-26.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  35. ↑ Martoccio, Will Hermes,Brittany Spanos,Christian Hoard,Suzy Exposito,Charles Holmes,Claire Shaffer,Jon Freeman,Joseph Hudak,David Browne,Jon Dolan,Rob Sheffield,Joe Levy,Nick Catucci,Simon Vozick-Levinson,Andy Greene,Brenna Ehrlich,Brendan Klinkenberg,Hank Shteamer,Angie; Hermes, Will; Spanos, Brittany; Hoard, Christian; Exposito, Suzy; Holmes, Charles; Shaffer, Claire; Freeman, Jon; Hudak, Joseph (2019-12-04). "The 100 Best Songs of the 2010s". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-26.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ↑ Anderson, Trevor. "Drake's 'Nice for What' Marks First-Ever Top 10 Debut on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  37. ↑ Trust, Gary. "Drake's 'Nice for What' No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Post Malone's 'Psycho' No. 2 & Camila Cabello's 'Never Be the Same' Hits Top 10". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 7, 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  38. ↑ McIntyre, Hugh. "Camila Cabello and Post Malone Chart New Top 10 Hits While Drake Rules Again". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' Blasts in at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  40. ↑ "Drake's 'Nice for What' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Lil Baby, Ella Mai & BTS Earn First Top 10s". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  41. ↑ Trust, Gary (July 9, 2018). "Drake Claims 7 of Hot 100's Top 10, Breaking the Beatles' Record, As 'Nice For What' Returns to No. 1 For Eighth Week". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  42. ↑ "2019 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards". www.ascap.com. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  43. ↑ "Billboard Argentina Hot 100 – Semana del 3 de Marzo". Billboard Argentina (in Spanish). Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  50. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201816 into search. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What". Tracklisten. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Drake: Nice for What" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  53. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  54. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  55. ↑ "IFPI – Greek Charts". IFPI. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  56. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  57. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  58. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Drake". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  59. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What". Top Digital Download. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  60. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  61. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  62. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What". VG-lista. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  63. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  64. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  65. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201816 into search. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  66. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  67. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  68. ↑ "Drake – Nice for What". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  69. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  70. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  71. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  72. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  73. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  74. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  75. ↑ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2018". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  76. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2018". Ultratop. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  77. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  78. ↑ "Track Top-100 2018" (in Danish). Hitlisten. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  79. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2018" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  80. ↑ "Ireland's Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2018". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  81. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2018" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  82. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 2018". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  83. ↑ "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 200 Singles 2018" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  84. ↑ "Årslista Singlar – År 2018" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  85. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2018". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  86. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  87. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  88. ↑ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  89. ↑ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  90. ↑ "Decade-End Charts: Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  91. ↑ "Decade-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  92. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  93. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Drake – Nice For What" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  94. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Drake – Nice For What". Music Canada. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  95. ↑ "Danish single certifications". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  96. ↑ "French single certifications – Drake – Nice For What" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  97. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Drake; 'Nice For What')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  98. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Drake – Nice for What" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 5, 2019. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Nice for What" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  99. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Drake – Nice for What". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  100. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Drake – Nice for What" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  101. ↑ "British single certifications – Drake – Nice For What". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  102. ↑ "American single certifications – Drake – Nice For What". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  103. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan – Drake" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  104. ↑ "Top 40/R Future Releases". Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.