"Walk Em Down (Don't Kill Civilians)" is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin and Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage featuring Canadian poet and singer Mustafa from the former's second studio album Heroes & Villains (2022). It was produced by Metro, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Peter Lee Johnson, and Simon on the Moon.
| "Walk Em Down (Don't Kill Civilians)" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Metro Boomin and 21 Savage featuring Mustafa | |
| from the album Heroes & Villains | |
| Released | December 2, 2022 |
| Genre | Horrorcore |
| Length | 5:11 |
| Label |
|
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) |
|
Composition
editThe song contains audio from Gucci Mane's 2007 documentary Hood Affairs. Over "sinister"-sounding piano keys in his signature horrorcore style and an "icy, monotone delivery",[1][2] 21 Savage lyrically depicts gun and street violence[2][3] and his determination to retaliate against the opposition.[4] Midway through, the production shifts to a piano-backed, choir-lined instrumental, over which Mustafa sings about the trauma and turmoil that occurs as a result of the violence.[3][5]
Critical reception
editThe song received generally positive reviews. Hamza Riaz of Mic Cheque considered it one of the "bone-chilling cuts" from Heroes & Villains, although also an example of which "When there is a new voice, they are shoehorned onto a disconnected strand of a track that would've benefited without it".[1] Wongo Okon of Uproxx commented that Metro Boomin "shines as a conductor" in the song.[4] Complex's Peter A. Berry regarded the hook (performed by 21 Savage) as "simple, yet symbolic enough to be anthemic".[2] Slant Magazine's Charles Lyons-Burt was favorable toward the song spotlighting a lesser-known artist (Mustafa), writing that through this approach, "the album might have felt a bit less redundant with 2018's Not All Heroes Wear Capes, which featured many of the same artists."[5]
Charts
edit| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] | 28 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[7] | 59 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 52 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] | 19 |
References
edit- ^ a b Riaz, Hamza (December 7, 2022). "Review: Metro Boomin, 'Heroes & Villains'". Mic Cheque. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c Berry, Peter A. (December 8, 2022). "Metro Boomin's 'Heroes and Villains' Is the Ultimate Rap Blockbuster". Complex. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ a b Brickner-Wood, Brady (December 8, 2022). "Metro Boomin: Heroes & Villains Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ a b Okon, Wongo (December 7, 2022). "Metro Boomin's 'Heroes & Villains' Captivates By Accentuating His Collaborators' Best Superpowers". Uproxx. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ a b Lyons-Burt, Charles (December 6, 2022). "Metro Boomin Heroes & Villains Review: Boomin' Beats by Committee". Slant Magazine. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2023.