"Lifted" is a song by South Korean rapper and singer CL. It was released through YG Entertainment on August 19, 2016, as her debut American single.

"Lifted"
Single by CL
ReleasedAugust 19, 2016 (2016-08-19)
Genre
Length2:55
LabelYG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Teddy Park
CL singles chronology
"Daddy"
(2015)
"Lifted"
(2016)
"Dopeness"
(2018)
Music video
"Lifted" on YouTube

Background

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The song was written by CL, Asher Roth, and Teddy Park, with the production being handled by the latter.[1] It heavily samples the song "Method Man" by Wu-Tang Clan.[1]

Critical reception

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Colette Bennett of The Daily Dot said "something about [the song] seems too simple" and went on to say that "CL's rapping is strong as usual" and "the song has a chill, reggae-inspired vibe".[2] Billboard's Tamar Herman stated that the song "diverges sharply from CL's image as one of South Korea's most prominent female rappers and eschews her typical aggressive style. Referencing drugs and liquor liberally while roaming around New York City, this isn't the same CL that K-pop fans are used to. Built for listening to on a hazy summer day, 'Lifted' takes a step back from CL's typical raps, aside from a quick bit at the beginning of the song."[3] Nolan Feeney of Entertainment Weekly labeled it "a solid-gold banger".[4]

Commercial performance

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The song debuted at number 94 on the Hot 100 making CL's first entry as a lead artist, second overall on the chart and also the third Korean act to do so overall. The song garnered 5.2 million streams in the United States by the week ending on October 6.[5]

Music video and promotion

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A music video for the song, directed by Dave Meyers, was released on August 18, 2016.[6] CL performed the song live for the first time on The Late Late Show with James Corden on September 15, 2016.[7] It was also performed throughout CL's Hello Bitches Tour in late 2016 in several North American cities. She also performed the song at the 2016 SBS Gayo Daejun, the first time the song was performed in Korea.[citation needed]

Charts

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Chart (2016) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[5] 94
US Rap Digital Songs (Billboard)[8] 31

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various August 19, 2016 YG Entertainment [9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "CL's First English Language Solo Single 'Lifted' Takes Flight Today". PopCrush. Townsquare Media. August 18, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  2. ^ Bennett, Colette (August 18, 2016). "K-Pop Star CL Debuts American Rap Single, 'Lifted'". The Daily Dot. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  3. ^ Herman, Tamar (August 18, 2016). "K-Pop Star CL Reaches New Heights on Debut Single 'Lifted'". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  4. ^ Feeney, Nolan (August 23, 2016). "Bob Weir, CL, Danny Brown, and more: Grading the week's best (and worst) new singles". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Benjamin, Jeff (October 12, 2016). "CL Enters the Hot 100 With Solo Single 'Lifted'". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  6. ^ "CL - 'Lifted' M/V". YouTube. August 18, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  7. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (September 16, 2016). "CL Gets 'Lifted' With James Corden on 'Late Late Show': Watch". Fuse. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  8. ^ "CL - Billboard US Rap Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "Lifted - Single by CL". Apple Music (US). Retrieved September 6, 2021.