"Durag Activity" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American rappers Baby Keem and Travis Scott, released on April 30, 2021, by Columbia Records and PGLang as the lead single from Keem's debut studio album The Melodic Blue (2021). The song was written by Keem and Scott alongside producer Brick!. A durag is a close-fitting cloth tied around the top of the head to protect the hair.[1][2]
| "Durag Activity" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Baby Keem and Travis Scott | ||||
| from the album The Melodic Blue | ||||
| Released | April 30, 2021 | |||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Brick! | |||
| Baby Keem singles chronology | ||||
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| Travis Scott singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Durag Activity" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editThe song was announced by Baby Keem on April 21, 2021, before it was released in April 30.[3]
In May 2021, Madonna posted a photo of herself wearing a bandana with "durag activity" in the captions on Twitter. Keem responded with, "...Can I send you a Durag?" and then, "did I humble Madonna?"[4]
Composition
editWongo Okon of Uproxx describes the song as Baby Keem "leading the way with near-mumble raps" before Travis Scott "arrives with his trademark autotune croons".[5] In the song, Baby Keem and Travis Scott talk about "money, influence, and women in their lives", which they describe as "durag activity", over a "clicking, slinking" beat.[6] "Distorted piano chords" can also be heard in the instrumental.[3][7]
Critical reception
editSophie Caraan of Hypebeast writes, "The effortless delivery from both Keem and Scott provide a new layer of texture for the bars they drop — which are mostly about getting rich — and almost gives it a new meaning, putting emphasis on the importance fusion of flow, cadence and lyricism."[7] Erika Marie of HotNewHipHop called the song "laid back" and "slow-burning".[8]
Music video
editAn accompanying music video was released on April 30, 2021. Directed by Eliel Ford, it depicts Baby Keem as a mob boss and opens with him in a suit, rapping his verse while someone in the background is beat up.[2][9] After "laying hands on an enemy", Keem gets tied to a chair with Travis Scott, but they "reverse the situation".[5][9]
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] | 53 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[11] | 77 |
| Lithuania (AGATA)[12] | 67 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] | 6 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[14] | 96 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 85 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] | 38 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[17] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[18] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Bloom, Madison (April 30, 2021). "Baby Keem and Travis Scott Share New Song "durag activity"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Cho, Regina (May 3, 2021). "Baby Keem is coming for revenge in "durag activity" video". Revolt. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Rose, Jordan (April 30, 2021). "Baby Keem Connects With Travis Scott in Video for "Durag Activity"". Complex. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021.
- ^ S., Madusa (May 29, 2021). "Baby Keem Asks If He "Humbled Madonna" After Her "Durag Activity" Tweet". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on May 29, 2021.
- ^ a b Okon, Wongo (April 30, 2021). "Travis Scott And Baby Keem's 'Durag Activity' Is A Clouded Banger". UPROXX. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021.
- ^ Kaye, Ben (April 30, 2021). "Baby Keem teams with Travis Scott on new track "durag activity": Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Caraan, Sophie (April 30, 2021). "Baby Keem and Travis Scott Deliver Debut Collab "durag activity"". HYPEBEAST. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021.
- ^ Marie, Erika (April 30, 2021). "Baby Keem Connects With Travis Scott On "Durag Activity"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Walker, Joe (April 30, 2021). "Travis Scott Joins Baby Keem For 'Durag Activity' Video On Kendrick Lamar's pgLang". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ "2021 18-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 7, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Baby Keem & Travis Scott – Durag Activity". Music Canada. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "American single certifications – Baby Keem & Travis Scott – Durag Activity". Recording Industry Association of America.