"Quicksand" is the debut single by American rapper Morray. The song's music video premiered in March 2020, before it was released again on October 30, 2020, by Pick Six Records and Interscope Records. It is the lead single from Morray's debut mixtape Street Sermons (2021). The song debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2021,[1] and peaked at number 65.
| "Quicksand" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Morray | ||||
| from the album Street Sermons | ||||
| Released | October 30, 2020 | |||
| Length | 3:43 | |||
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Morray singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Quicksand" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editMorray composed the track in January 2020.[2] He has described "Quicksand" as a track that truly reflects who he is, different from his older songs, and said that he wrote it after his wife encouraged him to write songs that are really about himself.[3][4] A music video for the song was uploaded onto Morray's YouTube channel in March 2020. The song became his breakout hit, leading to him being discovered by media manager Moe Shalizi[3][5] and receiving co-signs from many artists such as J. Cole, Rick Ross and DaBaby.[6][7]
Composition
editIn the song, Morray sings over a guitar-driven beat about surviving his early life, including the streets, poverty and feuding: "Since a jit, stood tall with a kickstand / Thinking of a plan to get quick bands / Falling in deep with the quicksand / Flag out my ass, no quick brand".[2]
Critical reception
editDylan Green of Pitchfork wrote that the song "pairs Morray's rapid-fire delivery with tales about his time in the streets, full of close-call shootings and desperation, and elevates the narrative with trills that breach the surface of Hagan and Ant Chamberl[a]in's warm production like a shark's fin."[8]
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 65 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 25 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard)[11] | 12 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 52 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Mendez, Marisa (2021-02-16). "Morray's 'Quicksand' Cracks Billboard 100, Cementing The 'Out The Mud' Narrative". HipHopDX.
- ^ a b Seabrook III, Robby (December 30, 2020). "The Break Presents: Morray". XXL Mag.
- ^ a b Rouhani, Neena (April 28, 2021). "Why Morray Almost Quit Music Before His Breakout Hit 'Quicksand' Took Off". Billboard.
- ^ ""I Thought I Was Supposed to Be a Pastor:" An Interview with Morray". Passion of the Weiss. 2021-02-04.
- ^ Bell, Max (2021-02-01). "Switched Up: Morray's Life Changed With One Phone Call". Spin.
- ^ Findlay, Mitch (November 4, 2020). "J. Cole & Rick Ross Praise Rising Rapper Morray's "Quicksand"". HotNewHipHop.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (2020-12-28). "DaBaby Becomes North Carolina Rising Rapper Morray's Latest Co-Sign". HipHopDX.
- ^ Green, Dylan (May 12, 2021). "Morray: Street Sermons". Pitchfork.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100: May 15, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: June 12, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Rhythmic Airplay Chart: June 26, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Morray – Quicksand". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 4, 2021.