"I Am What I Am" is a song by American rapper King Von featuring a guest appearance from New York rapper Fivio Foreign it is the fourth single extracted from his debut studio album Welcome to O'Block released in 2020. The song was released through OTF and Empire labels on October 9, 2020.[1][3] It extablishes connection between the Chicago and New York drill worlds as never seen before[1][2]
| "I Am What I Am" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by King Von featuring Fivio Foreign | ||||
| from the album Welcome to O'Block | ||||
| Released | October 9, 2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:38 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Chopsquad DJ | |||
| King Von singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Fivio Foreign singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "I Am What I Am" on YouTube | ||||
"I Am What I Am" peaked at number eight on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart by Billboard.[4]
In December 2020 was included in season 1, episode 8 of the TV series Power Book II: Ghost.[5][6]
Background
editThe song dropped on the expected release date of Welcome to O'Block that was instead delayed by Von after having a dream about his late friend T. Roy and wanting to commemorate his friend birthday by also releasing his album on October 30, as stated by himself on his official Twitter page.[2][7]
In an interview for Grammy Awards King Von said he linked up with Fivio Foreign because he thought the New York artist would have been great for the beat that was already been done.[8]
Composition
editThe song is defined "propulsive" by HipHopDx with Fivio coming first with a fiery opening verse where he pays homage to the late Pop Smoke. King Von makes the hook, which has the internal logic of a street nursery rhyme: "I am what I am/What I’m not, See i’ll never be."[9] He also raps the second verse of the tune, in which he puts his vivid storytelling on display with more frightening street tales.[2] The Source describes their performance as a passing bars back and forth, while showing elite drill chemistry.[10]
Music video
editThe official video was released the same day of the single drop,[12][13][2] and is directed by Jerry Production. It finds Von and Fivio on O'Block, bringing dozens of supporters to Von's native O Block, as they sip Henny, count cash, and whip around in a Rolls Royce Wraith. The two emcees light up the block with their electric chemistry, evoking the chaotic energy of the earliest Chicago and Brooklyn drill music videos.[14][9][10][11]
Charts
edit| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[15] | 8 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[16] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c "King Von Adds Fivio Foreign To Drill-Influenced Single "I Am What I Am"". HotNewHipHop. October 13, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "King Von & Fivio Foreign combine worlds of Chicago & NY drill on menacing 'I Am What I Am' single". HipHopDx. October 13, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "King Von drops off new album 'Welcome To O'Block'", Revolt (TV network), retrieved August 7, 2023
- ^ "Chart History King Von", Billboard, November 21, 2020, retrieved August 7, 2023
- ^ "King Von's "I Am What I Am" Crowns Top TV Songs Chart Thanks to 'Power Book II'", Billboard, January 12, 2021, retrieved August 7, 2023
- ^ "King Von's "I Am What I Am" Crowns Top TV Songs Chart Thanks to 'Power Book II'", Hollywood Reporter, January 12, 2021, retrieved August 7, 2023
- ^ "King Von – I Am What I Am (feat. Fivio Foreign)", Onsmash, October 10, 2020, retrieved August 7, 2023
- ^ "Practice Makes Perfect On King Von's New Album 'Welcome To O Block'", Grammy Awards, retrieved August 7, 2023
- ^ a b "Video: King Von – "I Am What I Am" ft. Fivio Foreign (Prod. by Chopsquad DJ)". audibletreats.com. October 13, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ a b "KING VON AND FIVIO FOREIGN TOUR O-BLOCK IN 'I AM WHAT I AM' VIDEO", The Source, October 13, 2020, retrieved August 7, 2023
- ^ a b "King Von and Fivio Foreign link up for "I Am What I Am" visual". Revolt Tv. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ "KING VON & FIVIO FOREIGN SHOW NO SHAME IN 'I AM WHAT I AM'". HipHopDx. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "NEW VIDEO: KING VON FT. FIVIO FOREIGN "I AM WHAT I AM"". Rap Radar. October 9, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "King Von Adds Fivio Foreign To Drill-Influenced Single "I Am What I Am"". HotNewHipHop. October 9, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "King Von Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "American single certifications – King Von – I Am What I Am". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 7, 2023.