"Discounts" is a song by American rapper Cupcakke. She independently released it as a single on June 26, 2020.[1] It became her first charting single, debuting at number 10 on the Billboard Digital Songs component chart. The song received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised the production, vocal performance, solo songwriting and maturity.
| "Discounts" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cover art | ||||
| Single by Cupcakke | ||||
| Released | June 26, 2020 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 2:56 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Elizabeth Harris | |||
| Producer(s) | Fantom | |||
| Cupcakke singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Discounts" on YouTube | ||||
Background and composition
edit"Discounts" and its precursor "Lemon Pepper" were released not long after Cupcakke's hiatus of late 2019. She announced her retirement after being disappointed with "corrupting the youth" with her hypersexualized music. After two months, Cupcakke returned to social media writing "Jesus fasted for 40 days... and so did I."[2]
In the Fantom-produced song,[3] Cupcakke name-drops Azealia Banks and Megan Thee Stallion, and references Cardi B's bruised forehead after attempting to physically attack Nicki Minaj at NYFW 2018.[4]
Music video
editAfter announcing it earlier that month,[5] the video titled "Discounts" (The Movie), was officially released on July 28, 2020.[6]
In it, CupcakKe is working at a grocery store and chatting with a male friend when a rude customer interrupts her. She starts rapping as the scene flips between the store and a house where she is counting money with her crew. Mothers (some wearing COVID masks) and their kids are shown shopping for food before closing time. Finally, she is robbed at gunpoint and believes the lady who didn't get a discount at the store sent her boys in. She grabs a pair of assault rifles from beneath the counter and fires at the masked robbers.
A new scene shows CupcakKe in a red room with neon letters "Drunk in Love" on the wall. Leather dominates the furniture and clothing. A more revealing strapless top shows the tattoos above her breasts and parts of her midriff. The rap continues as CupcakKe gets into a series of firefights with the masked men in the store. It concludes with her sneaking up behind one of them and knocking him out.
Reception
editCritics described the song as "fierce" [7] "fiery",[4] and "bold".[8] Jessica McKinney of Complex highlighted her "witty wordplay and rapid delivery".[8] BrooklynVegan wrote, "CupcakKe remains prolific [...] She goes hard on this one".[9]
Charts
edit"Discounts" became CupcakKe's first charting single in her career. It charted on the UK Singles Downloads Chart at number 78 and the Scottish Singles Chart at number 70.[10][11] On the US Billboard charts, it went to number 10 on the Digital Song Sales (DSS), 6 on R&B/Hip-Hop DSS, and 5 on Rap DSS.
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scotland (OCC)[11] | 70 |
| UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[10] | 78 |
| US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[12] | 10 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[13] | 6 |
| US Rap Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[14] | 5 |
References
edit- ^ Yoo, Noah (June 26, 2020). "CupcakKe Shares New Song "Discounts"". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (June 26, 2020). "CupcakKe Releases New Song 'Discounts'". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ Wass, Mike (June 28, 2020). "She Did It! CupcakKe's "Discounts" Goes #1 On iTunes". Idolator. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Gregory, Allie (June 26, 2020). "CupcakKe Drops Fiery New Track "Discounts"". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "Discounts video on the way 😏🤑🔥". July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020 – via @CupcakKe_rapper on Twitter (confirmed account).
- ^ ""Discounts" The Movie .. out now‼️". July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020 – via CupcakKe_rapper on Twitter (confirmed account).
- ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (June 26, 2020). "Listen to rapper CupcakKe's fierce new track, 'Discounts'". NME. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b McKinney, Jessica (June 26, 2020). "Best New Music This Week: Megan Thee Stallion, 6lack, City Girls, and More". Complex. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "CupcakKe - Discounts". BrooklynVegan. June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ "CupcakKe Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ "CupcakKe Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ "CupcakKe Chart History (Rap Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2020.