"Low" is a song by American rapper Juicy J featuring Lil Bibby, Young Thug, and Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 7, 2014, intended as the first single from the former's fourth studio album. However, it fared poorly commercially and was thereby removed from the project. "Low" was written by Juicy J, Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby, Dr. Luke, Rock City, and Cirkut. It was produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut.[1] The song received positive reception from music critics, most of it for Nicki Minaj's appearance. A music video directed by Benny Boom was created to promote the single.

"Low"
Single by Juicy J featuring Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby and Young Thug
ReleasedAugust 7, 2014
Recorded2014
GenreHip hop
Length3:58
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Juicy J singles chronology
"Shell Shocked"
(2014)
"Low"
(2014)
"She Knows"
(2014)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Anaconda"
(2014)
"Low"
(2014)
"Flawless (Remix)"
(2014)
Lil Bibby singles chronology
"Dead or in Prison"
(2014)
"Low"
(2014)
"Aww Man"
(2015)
Young Thug singles chronology
"Lifestyle"
(2014)
"Low"
(2014)
"Throw Sum Mo"
(2014)

Background and release

edit

On August 6, 2014, Juicy J announced that the first single from his fourth studio album would be released on August 7, 2014, would be titled "Low", and would feature guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby and Young Thug.[2] In the same announcement he also showed the single cover art.[3] On August 7, 2014, a snippet version of "Low" went online hours before the full song was released for digital download.[4]

In an interview with Bullett Media, Juicy J spoke about the collaboration with Minaj, Bibby and Thug: "I never told anybody I had a record with Bibby or Young Thug or Nicki Minaj. The day before I dropped it, I was like, 'Yo! Guess what?' And a lot of my fans on Twitter were like, 'What?' I was like, 'I'm dropping a new single tomorrow with Lil Bibby, Young Thug, and Nicki Minaj.' They couldn't believe it. That's what I'm doing. I'm shocking people."[5]

Critical reception

edit

"Low" garnered a positive reception from music critics. Rick Florino of Artistdirect.com gave praise to the song's beat and the lyrics from all three rappers, calling it "another bona fide anthem from the king of all things."[6] Joey DeGroot of Music Times praised the production and likened Nicki's Minaj's verse more than Juicy J's, saying, "While Juicy's rhymes are pretty laidback, Nicki's completely blow everything apart, spitting furiously with her trademark taunt."[7] Brennan Carley of Spin also credited the song to Minaj's appearance, saying she "demonstrates her lyrical prowess with rhymes like, "I'm fly every day but a bitch ain't trippin' / You be on that bull, you be on Scottie Pippen."[8]

Music video

edit

Directed by Benny Boom, the video features the rappers at a barbecue cookout and an empty warehouse with vehicles and speakers with colored smoke coming out of them. Young Thug does not appear in the video. The video premiered online on August 21, 2014.[9]

Track listing

edit
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Low" (featuring Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby and Young Thug)3:58

Charts

edit
Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 44

References

edit
  1. ^ "Low". Qobuz. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  2. ^ "Juicy J Ft Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby & Young Thug – Low (Single Artwork)". Leakrew. August 6, 2014. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  3. ^ "Cover Art For Juicy J's "Low" Featuring Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby And Young Thug". Young Money Entertainment. August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  4. ^ "iTunes - Music - Low (feat. Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby & Young Thug) - Single by Juicy J". iTunes (US). Apple. August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  5. ^ "Juicy J On His New Album and the Possibility of a Three 6 Mafia Reunion". Bullett Media. August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  6. ^ Florino, Rick (August 7, 2014). "Song Review: Juicy J – "Low" featuring Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby, and Young Thug". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  7. ^ DeGroot, Joey (August 7, 2014). "REVIEW: Nicki Minaj Blows Away Juicy On 'Low'". Music Times. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  8. ^ Carley, Brennan (August 7, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Elevates Juicy J's New Single 'Low'". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  9. ^ "Watch Juicy J's "Low" Video f/ Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby & Young Thug". Complex. Complex Media. August 21, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  10. ^ "Juicy J Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
edit