"No Brainer" is a song by American musician DJ Khaled featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American rappers Chance the Rapper and Quavo. The song was released on July 27, 2018, by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records,[1] the second single from Khaled's eleventh studio album, Father of Asahd (2019).[2][3][4] It marks the second collaboration between the artists, following 2017's "I'm the One" (which also featured Lil Wayne), from Khaled's tenth studio album Grateful. Khaled produced the song with DaviDior, Sir Nolan, Nic Nac and Poo Bear. The song peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

"No Brainer"
Single by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo
from the album Father of Asahd
ReleasedJuly 27, 2018 (2018-07-27)
Length4:20
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
DJ Khaled singles chronology
"Dinero"
(2018)
"No Brainer"
(2018)
"Higher"
(2019)
Justin Bieber singles chronology
"Hard 2 Face Reality"
(2018)
"No Brainer"
(2018)
"I Don't Care"
(2019)
Chance the Rapper singles chronology
"I Might Need Security"
(2018)
"No Brainer"
(2018)
"What's the Hook"
(2018)
Quavo singles chronology
"Boo'd Up (Remix)"
(2018)
"No Brainer"
(2018)
"Workin Me"
(2018)
Music video
"No Brainer" on YouTube

Release and promotion

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In early July, DJ Khaled shared plans for his song, inspired by his vacation to Cabo San Lucas. "I'm gonna make my own soap," he said. "So I'm here to announce today—and this is crazy that we're talking about this—I'm gonna make my own soap."[5] He also revealed, "I got a song coming out with Justin Bieber and some more of my great friends on the record. I want it to be a surprise, but it's going to be one of the biggest anthems."[6] In a series of teasers on Instagram, he gradually rolled out the news. In one video, Justin and his manager, Scooter Braun, joined in and showcased their southern accents. "We've always been the best and always will be the best. That's a statement and a half," Bieber teased.[7]

Critical reception

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Billboard's Sam Tornow described the song as a potential summer hit with its "all-star cast, bubbly beats and infectious chorus". He wrote: "The crew keeps the hype up all the way through, from Bieber's first chorus until his last. Every collaborator holds his own, accenting each other's different styles while still popping off during his own verse."[2] Conversely, Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork called the song "gratuitous fun that's derivative and shiftless and capitalistic".[8]

Chart performance

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In the United States, the song debuted at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Khaled's fourth top-ten song, Bieber's 14th, Chance the Rapper notches his second and Quavo posts his fifth top ten on the chart.[9] The song dropped to number 11 in its second week on the chart.

In the United Kingdom, "No Brainer" debuted at number one on the Official Trending Chart following its release, with the song set to debut at number 9 of the chart regardless of any added points.[10] In August 2018, the song opened at number four on the UK Singles Chart, where it became DJ Khaled's third and Bieber's 14th top-five single in the country.[11] As for other countries, the song reached the top ten of the charts of Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Ireland.

Music video

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The music video premiered via YouTube an hour after the song's release. Directed by Colin Tilley, the video begins on the set of a movie in Hollywood with "We The Best" replacing the typical white Hollywood Sign. Bieber helms the director chair alongside Khaled and his son, Asahd. One part of the video is highly reminiscent of a scene from the film Wayne's World, as Khaled and Justin stand atop the faux clouds. Product placement is heavily displayed throughout the blockbuster, boasting different liquors from Bumbu to Ciroc and Belaire. Quavo injects himself into the colorful scene taking on the role of an artist, meticulously painting away at his blank canvas with a parrot mysteriously chilling out on his shoulder. Chance is the last of the co-stars to make an appearance, and the setting immediately switches to a Gatsby-themed party, as the squad dances the night away.[12]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[13]

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[72] 4× Platinum 280,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)[73] Gold 15,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[74] 3× Platinum 120,000
Canada (Music Canada)[75] 3× Platinum 240,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[76] Platinum 90,000
Italy (FIMI)[77] Gold 25,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[78] Gold 30,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[79] Platinum 30,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[80] Platinum 60,000
Poland (ZPAV)[81] Gold 10,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[82] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[83] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various July 27, 2018 [13]
Italy July 30, 2018 Contemporary hit radio Sony [84]
United States July 31, 2018 Rhythmic contemporary
  • We the Best
  • Epic
[85]
United Kingdom August 10, 2018 Contemporary hit radio RCA [86]

References

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