"UK Hun?" is a song recorded by British drag girl group United Kingdolls for The RuRuvision Song Contest challenge during their stint on the second series of reality television competition, RuPaul's Drag Race UK. The episode has contestants participate in a Eurovision-style performance. The song was released on February 11, 2021.[1] It was primarily written by Leland, with Lawrence Chaney, Bimini Bon-Boulash, A'Whora and Tayce writing the lyrics for their individual verses.
| "UK Hun?" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by United Kingdolls | |
| Released | 11 February 2021 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 2:46 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | |
Two versions of the song were released, with a second being released by Bananadrama, consisting of: Joe Black, Tia Kofi, Sister Sister and Ellie Diamond. This version did not chart. Upon the success of the United Kingdolls version, two members of the group: Tayce[2] and Bimini have begun their solo recording careers, with the latter being the first drag queen from any Drag Race franchise to sign a major mainstream record deal, signing a joint deal with Relentless Records and Sony Music in July 2022.[3]
Background, recording and reception
edit"UK Hun?" was the chosen song for the episode, written by Leland. Chaney and Black were team captains and each group had to write and record their own versions of the song. MNEK was the vocal coach for each group. On the main stage, the judges watch the performances of both groups. The contestants performed a mixture of sung and rapped vocals.[1] RuPaul announced the United Kingdolls as victorious, thus all members receiving a RuPeter badge. The song was alluded to in the second episode of the second season of Canada's Drag Race, with the "Under the Big Top" Rusical featuring a trio of clowns named Bing, Bang and Bong.[4] Bimini's verse in "UK Hun?" was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award in 2022 in the category of "Must-See Moment".[5]
Chart performance
editIt was revealed during the midweek chart the "UK Hun?" was due to reach number 25 on the Official UK Charts, however it charted at number 27.[6] On 19 February 2021, it was announced the United Kingdolls had charted at number 27 on the Official UK Charts, beating previous Drag Race UK band, Frock Destroyers, who reached number 35, but also beat RuPaul, whose single "Supermodel (You Better Work)" charted at number 39.[6]
Frock Destroyers version
edit| "UK Hun?" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Frock Destroyers featuring Lawrence Chaney | ||||
| Released | 6 April 2021 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 2:46 | |||
| Label | World of Wonder | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Frock Destroyers singles chronology | ||||
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On 6 April 2021 a new version of the song by the Frock Destroyers, comprising RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 1 contestants Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea and Divina de Campo, was released. The remixed version features new verses and chorus vocals from each member of the Frock Destroyers as well as series 2 winner Lawrence Chaney's verse from the original United Kingdolls version.[7] This version, released several months after the Frock Destroyers' debut studio album Frock4Life,[8] did not chart.
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scotland (OCC)[9] | 20 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 27 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' 2 episode 5 recap: Surprises and twists await the queens after a 7 month hiatus in 'The RuRuvision Song Contest'". Penske Business Media, LLC. 11 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ Denman, Amy (August 31, 2022). "Tayce teases that they will release solo music". The Mirror. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ Shatto, Rachel (July 11, 2022). "Drag Race Contestant Bimini signs major record deal". Pride Magazine. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ Rebecca Alter, "Canada’s Drag Race Recap: Cirque du So Gay" Archived 2022-01-27 at the Wayback Machine. Vulture, 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Nominees for Virgin Media's Must-See Moment Announced for Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards". www.bafta.org. 2022-03-23. Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- ^ a b "United Kingdolls UK Hun? on course to enter Official Singles Chart Top 40". www.bafta.org. 2022-03-23. Archived from the original on 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
- ^ ""UK Hun?" by the Frock Destroyers Feat. Lawrence Chaney Is Here". World of Wonder. 2021-04-05. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
- ^ "The Frock Destroyers announce debut album Frock4Life and debut single". Attitude. 25 November 2020. ISSN 1353-1875. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2021.