Gravity (Brent Faiyaz and DJ Dahi song)

"Gravity" is a song by American singer Brent Faiyaz and producer DJ Dahi featuring rapper Tyler, the Creator. It was released on January 29, 2021, as the second single from the former's second studio album Wasteland (2022).[1][2] The song is about the complications of fidelity for a superstar, and was created from music education initiative Songs from Scratch.[3][4] On March 8, 2021, British-American rapper IDK released a cover of the song.[5]

"Gravity"
Single by Brent Faiyaz and DJ Dahi featuring Tyler, the Creator
from the album Wasteland
ReleasedJanuary 29, 2021
Length3:34
Label
  • Lost Kids
  • Venice
  • Stem
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)DJ Dahi
Brent Faiyaz singles chronology
"Dead Man Walking"
(2020)
"Gravity"
(2021)
"Eden"
(2021)
DJ Dahi singles chronology
"Outro To Q4 (2020)"
(2021)
"Gravity"
(2021)
"DJ"
(2021)
Tyler, the Creator singles chronology
"Automatic Driver (Tyler, The Creator Remix)"
(2021)
"Gravity"
(2021)
"Tell Me How"
(2021)

Composition

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The instrumental of the song, produced by DJ Dahi, includes synths, electric guitar (played by guitarist Steve Lacy),[3] "crisp rim shots" and "airy drums", backed by harmonized background vocals and a piano accompaniment.[6] In the chorus, Brent Faiyaz sings about his girlfriend holding him down and waiting him home while the fame has caused them to reevaluate their relationship ("You held me up when I was down and out / But I don't want you waitin' 'round for me").[1][7][8] Faiyaz compares the "force he feels from his girl" to gravity ("She hold me down like gravity"), and Tyler, the Creator raps about how his lover can still count on him despite the consequences of fame.[7] Both Brent and Tyler ask their lovers to move on to someone else so they do not have to keep waiting for them.[4][9]

Critical reception

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Charlie Zhang of Hypebeast wrote that the song "is imbued with a calm soulful groove that emphasizes Faiyaz's distinct R&B-style vocals".[6] Chris DeVille of Stereogum called the song "Woozy and psychedelic without undermining its pop appeal".[1] Jordan Rose of Complex wrote that "the beat is matched perfectly with Brent's vocals and Tyler's verse".[7] Dewayne Gage wrote that the "groovy guitar compliments the mesmerizing bass line" and "the changing pitch of Faiyaz' voice sounds as if Martians have just stepped in the booth to provide ad-libs". He added that the guest verse of Tyler, the Creator makes the track "a timeless-feeling tune about being held down, even if you're in orbit."

Charts

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Chart performance for "Gravity"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 87
Ireland (IRMA)[11] 90
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] 3
South Africa (TOSAC)[13] 28
UK Singles (OCC)[14] 60
UK Indie (OCC)[15] 8
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 71
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 26
US Rolling Stone Top 100[18] 33

Certifications

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Certifications for "Gravity"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[20] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b c DeVille, Chris (January 28, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz & DJ Dahi - "Gravity" (Feat. Tyler, The Creator)". Stereogum.
  2. ^ Renshaw, David (January 29, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz recruits Tyler, the Creator for "Gravity"". The FADER.
  3. ^ a b Gage, Dewayne (February 5, 2021). "Song You Need to Know: Brent Faiyaz and Tyler the Creator, 'Gravity'". Rolling Stone.
  4. ^ a b Okon, Wongo (January 29, 2021). "Tyler The Creator And Brent Faiyaz's 'Gravity' Thanks A Loyal Lover". UPROXX.
  5. ^ A., Aron (March 8, 2021). "IDK Cover Brent Faiyaz & Tyler, The Creator's "Gravity"". HotNewHipHop.
  6. ^ a b Zhang, Charlie (January 29, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz and Tyler, The Creator Drop New Track "Gravity"". HYPEBEAST.
  7. ^ a b c Rose, Jordan (January 29, 2021). "Tyler, the Creator Joins Brent Faiyaz and DJ Dahi on New Collab "Gravity"". Complex.
  8. ^ Marie, Erika (January 29, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz & DJ Dahi Partner With Tyler, The Creator On "Gravity"". HotNewHipHop.
  9. ^ Cho, Regina (January 29, 2021). "Brent Faiyaz, DJ Dahi, and Tyler, The Creator join forces for "Gravity"". REVOLT.
  10. ^ "Tyler, the Creator Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  11. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Tyler, the Creator". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  12. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 8, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  13. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 28-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  15. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "Tyler the Creator Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  17. ^ "Tyler the Creator Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. January 29, 2021. Archived from the original on July 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "British single certifications – Brent Faiyaz/Dj Dahi/Tyler – Gravity". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  20. ^ "American single certifications – Brent Faiyaz – Gravity". Recording Industry Association of America.