"The Illest"
Single by Far East Movement featuring Riff Raff or ScHoolboy Q
from the album Dirty Bass and Ktown Riot
ReleasedJuly 2, 2013 (2013-07-02)
(for version w/ RiFF RAFF)
April 16, 2014 (2014-04-16)
(for version w/ ScHoolboy Q)
Recorded2013
Genre
Length3:40
LabelCherrytree/Interscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Axident, Wallpaper.[1]
Far East Movement singles chronology
"Get Up (Rattle)"
(2012)		 "The Illest"
(2013)		 "Bang It to the Curb"
(2014)
Riff Raff singles chronology
"Dolce and Gabbana"
(2013)		 "The Illest"
(2013)		 "Mr. Popular"
(2013)
ScHoolboy Q singles chronology
"2 On"
(2014)		 "The Illest"
(2014)		 "Studio"
(2014)
Music video
"The Illest" on YouTube

"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).

Background

"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]

Music video

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]

Remix

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.

Track listing

2013 digital download (version with Riff Raff)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Illest" (featuring Riff Raff)Andreas Schuller, Eric Frederic, Kevin Nishimura, Jae Choung, James Roh, Virman Coquia, Horst SimcoAxident, Wallpaper.3:40
2014 digital download (version with Schoolboy Q)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Illest" (featuring ScHoolboy Q)Andreas Schuller, Eric Frederic, Kevin Nishimura, Jae Choung, James Roh, Virman Coquia, Quincey HanleyAxident, Wallpaper.3:40
The Illest (Remixes)
No.TitleLength
1."The Illest (DEORRO Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)3:35
2."The Illest (Victor Niglio Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)4:20
3."The Illest (Kronic Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)4:42
4."The Illest (Rell The Soundbender Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)4:42
5."The Illest (KTown Shekki X Savagez Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)6:19

Credits and personnel

  • Lead vocals – Far East Movement
  • Producers – Axident, Wallpaper.
  • Writers – A. Schuller, R. Reed, K. Nishimura, J. Roh, J. Choung, V. Coquia, J. Christian
  • Label: Cherrytree Records / Interscope Records

Chart performance

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Germany (Deutsche Black Charts)[17] 20
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[18] 7
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[19] 18
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[20] 21

Release history

for version w/ RiFF RAFF
Country Date Format Label
United States
Canada		 July 2, 2013[3][4] Digital download - single Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records
February 4, 2014[21] Rhythmic contemporary radio airplay
April 22, 2014[22] Digital download - Remixes
for version w/ ScHoolboy Q
Country Date Format Label
United States
Canada		 April 16, 2014[15][16] Digital download - single Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records

References

  1. ↑ "Far East Movement Wreak Havoc on Office in 'The Illest' Music Video". 97.1 AMP RADIO. CBS Local Media. 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  2. ↑ "Far East Movement x Riff Raff - The Illest | Stream". DJBooth.net. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  3. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - The Illest (feat. Riff Raff) - Single by Far East Movement". iTunes. Apple. 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  4. 1 2 "The Illest [feat. Riff Raff] [Explicit]: Far East Movement: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  5. 1 2 3 "Far East Movement f/ Riff Raff "The Illest"". Complex. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  6. ↑ "Far East Movement's 'Murder Was The Bass' EP Steps Up The BPMs". Vibe. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  7. ↑ "Far East Movement and Riff Raff on 'The Illest' Music Video Set | Watch the video". Yahoo Celebrity. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  8. ↑ "Watch RiFF RaFF and Far East Movement Update 'Office Space' in 'The Illest' Video". SPIN. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  9. ↑ "Far East Movement ft. Riff Raff: The Illest (Music Video)". BallerStatus.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  10. ↑ "The Illest (Ktown Riot Edit)". YouTube. FarEastMovementVEVO. 2014-04-15.
  11. ↑ "The Illest (Deorro vs Victor Niglio remix)". YouTube. FarEastMovementVEVO. 2013-12-10.
  12. ↑ "Far East Movement f. RiFF RaFF, ScHoolboy Q & B.o.B - "The Illest (Remix)"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
  13. ↑ "New Music: Far East Movement Feat. Riff Raff, Schoolboy Q And B.O.B "The Illest" (Remix By DJ EMAN)". Vibe. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
  14. ↑ "New Music: Far East Movement feat. Schoolboy Q "The Illest" (Alternate Mix)". MissInfo.tv. 2014-04-17.
  15. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - The Illest (feat. Schoolboy Q) - Single by Far East Movement". iTunes. Apple. 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  16. 1 2 "The Illest [feat. ScHoolboy Q] [Explicit]: Far East Movement: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  17. ↑ "Deutsche Black Charts: KW 17". Trendcharts. Media Control. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Far East Movement Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Far East Movement Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Far East Movement Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  22. ↑ "iTunes - Music - The Illest (Remixes) [feat. Riff Raff] - EP by Far East Movement". iTunes. Apple. 2014-04-22.
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