"BBL Drizzy" (released as the file name "BBL DRIZZY BPM 150.mp3") is a "diss track beat" by American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on May 5, 2024 in response to the Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud which consisted of multiple diss tracks from both sides. "BBL Drizzy" samples an artificial intelligence-generated track, released on April 14, of the same name by comedian King Willonius.[1] It is the first notable example of AI sampling in mainstream hip-hop music, according to Billboard.[2]
| "BBL Drizzy" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Instrumental by Metro Boomin | |
| Released | May 5, 2024 |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Length | 3:24 |
| Label | Self-release |
| Songwriter(s) | Metro Boomin • King Willonius |
| Producer(s) | Metro Boomin |
Metro announced he would offer a free beat and a $10,000 cash prize to whoever delivered the best rap over the backing track in an effort to deride Canadian rapper Drake.[3] The song's title derives from rapper Rick Ross ironizing about a rumor that Drake received plastic surgery on his abs and on his nose, using the slang term "BBL",[4] which is an acronym to Brazilian butt lift.[5]
"BBL Drizzy" quickly went viral, generating more than 3.4 million streams on SoundCloud within a week.[6]
Background
editThe Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud is a rap feud between American artist Kendrick Lamar and Canadian artist Drake which escalated in early 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.[7] In April 2024, Drake would release the song "Push Ups", in which he directly dismisses Metro's involvement in the feud with the line "Metro shut your hoe ass up and make some drums".[8][9] In the song "Family Matters", Drake further antagonizes Metro, directly calling him out in the song once again.[10][11]
Rick Ross coined the phrase BBL Drizzy, ironizing about a rumor that Drake received plastic surgery on his abs and on his nose, using the slang term "BBL", which is an acronym to Brazilian butt lift. Drake referred to Ross's involvement in the feud in the song "Push Ups" also, rapping: "Can't believe he jumpin' in, this nigga turnin' 50 / Every song that made it on the chart, he got from Drizzy / Spend that lil' check you got and stay up out my business". Ross responded with his diss "Champagne Moments", coining the phrase BBL Drizzy on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram while promoting the song.[12][13] Inspired by an X post from Rick Ross, comedic performer Willonius Hatcher, who goes by King Willonius online, released an AI generated R&B parody song titled "BBL Drizzy". The song was created using Udio, a generative artificial intelligence model that produces music.[14][2] Hatcher stated that he initially experimented with different music genres including country, Afrobeats and yacht rock before settling on R&B.[1]
Release
editOn May 5, 2024, Metro responded to Drake's diss on "Family Matters" on X and released an instrumental titled "BBL DRIZZY 150 BPM.mp3" on SoundCloud, sampling "BBL Drizzy", a comedic R&B song by King Willonius.[3] Unbeknownst to Metro at the time, the original track's vocals and instrumental were generated entirely by an artificial intelligence model.[2] 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.[15] Users on social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram and X were quick to react, releasing their own takes on the track shortly after.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18] Metro has yet to pick a winner for the contest.
Reception
editUpon release, the track immediately received widespread attention on social media platforms. Notable celebrities and internet personalities including Elon Musk and Dr. Miami reacted to the beat.[19][20] Several corporations also responded, including educational technology company Duolingo and meat producer Oscar Mayer.[21][20]
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.[22] Many recreated the song in other genres, including house, merengue and Bollywood.[23][18] Users also created covers of the song on a variety of musical instruments, including on saxophone, guitar and harp.[23][18][20]
Use of artificial intelligence
edit"BBL Drizzy" 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.[2] 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.[24][2]
Aftermath
editImmediately following the release of "BBL Drizzy", Drake responded in an Instagram comment, asking if Metro had really "cheffed a beat about [his] ass".[25] Later, on May 24, he was included on rapper Sexyy Red's mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust. On this project, Drake would rap over the "BBL Drizzy" instrumental on the song "U My Everything".[26][27]
A copyright infringement lawsuit was filed against Udio, the AI startup used to create the diss track, by the Recording Industry Association of America in June 2024 following the viral success of the original track.[28]
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[29] | 22 |
References
edit- ^ a b Curto, Justin (May 9, 2024). "Metro Boomin Couldn't Have Made 'BBL Drizzy' Without This Comedian". Vulture. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Robinson, Kristin (May 15, 2024). "Metro Boomin's 'BBL Drizzy' Is More Than a Joke – It Could Signal the Future of Sampling". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Ocho, Alex (May 5, 2024). "Metro Boomin Goes in on Drake, Drops "BBL Drizzy" With Beat Giveaway and $10K Reward: 'Now Go Make Another Song Telling More Lies'". Complex. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Trent (April 14, 2024). "Rick Ross Calls Drake 'BBL Drizzy' and OVO the 'Pastrami Posse'". XXL Mag. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "What Is a Brazilian Butt Lift?". WebMD. WebMD Editorial Contributors. July 20, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ Zeff, Maxwell (May 11, 2024). "The Saga of 'BBL Drizzy'". Gizmodo. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ Gee, Andre (March 25, 2024). "Drake Replies to Kendrick Lamar's 'Like That' Diss -- Sort Of". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Wes (April 16, 2024). "Drake muddies the "Push Ups" AI debate with a deepfake". The Verge. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Montgomery, Sarah Jasmine (April 13, 2024). "Drake Diss Track Aimed at Kendrick Lamar, Metro Boomin, and More Surfaces: Fans Debate If It's Real". Complex. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Deville, Chris (May 4, 2024). "Drake Unveils Latest Kendrick Lamar Diss Track "Family Matters"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (May 4, 2024). "Drake Fires Back at Kendrick Lamar on New Song "Family Matters"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (April 16, 2024). "Rick Ross Brings Drake Diss Track 'Champagne Moments' to Streaming Services: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (April 15, 2024). "A Timeline of Drake & Rick Ross' Relationship: Collabs, Feuds & A Lost Joint Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Lawrence, Andrew (May 9, 2024). "'I bet Drake heard it and laughed': BBL Drizzy is the real winner of the Drake-Kendrick feud". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (May 6, 2024). "Metro Boomin Responds to Drake's Disses & Hosts 'BBL Drizzy' Beat Giveaway". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Cline, Georgette (May 9, 2024). "20 of the Best Entries for Metro Boomin's 'BBL Drizzy' Beat Giveaway". XXL. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Coleman II, C. Vernon (May 7, 2024). "Metro Boomin Ups Ante on BBL Drizzy Beat Giveaway, Offers $10,000 to Winner". XXL. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c Zeff, Maxwell (May 11, 2024). "The Saga of 'BBL Drizzy'". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Cowen, Trace William (May 8, 2024). "Dr. Miami Is Looping Metro Boomin's Drake-Mocking "BBL Drizzy" Beat at His Office: 'New Favorite Song'". Complex. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c Horetski, Dylan (May 9, 2024). "What does 'BBL Drizzy' mean? TikTok trend explained". Dexerto. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Ech, Joey (May 10, 2024). "Oscar Mayer Capitalizes on Drake's Current Beefs by Launching the BBL Glizzy Hot Dog Campaign". XXL. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Grove, Rashad (May 13, 2024). "Metro Boomin's Diss Track 'BBL Drizzy' Is Getting the Remix Treatment". BET. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Saponara, Michael (May 10, 2024). "Fan Remixes of Metro Boomin's Drake Diss 'BBL Drizzy' Are Starting to Going Viral: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Park, Gene (May 14, 2024). "A song about Drake's butt might be a real breakthrough for AI art". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (May 6, 2024). "Metro Boomin Responds to Drake's Disses & Hosts 'BBL Drizzy' Beat Giveaway". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (May 24, 2024). "Sexyy Red Drops 'In Sexyy We Trust' Mixtape With Drake, Lil Baby Collabs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (May 24, 2024). "Drake Raps Over Metro Boomin's 'BBL Drizzy' Diss Beat on Sexyy Red's New Song 'U My Everything'". Variety. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Samantha (June 24, 2024). "AI company behind viral 'BBL Drizzy' fake Drake diss track gets sued | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 3, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
