"Thug Cry" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Rick Ross, released on March 13, 2014 by Maybach, Slip-n-Slide, and Def Jam, as the 2nd and final official single from his sixth studio album Mastermind (2014). The song was produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, written by Betty Idol and features a guest appearance by American rapper Lil Wayne, along with a hook performed by Betty Idol. The song has since peaked at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The sample comes from "Heather" by Billy Cobham (1974), which was previously used in songs such as "93 'til Infinity" by Souls Of Mischief (1993) and in "No Wheaties" by Big K.R.I.T., Smoke DZA & Curren$y (2010).

"Thug Cry"
Single by Rick Ross featuring Lil Wayne
from the album Mastermind
ReleasedMarch 13, 2014
Recorded2013
GenreHip hop
Length4:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Rick Ross singles chronology
"The Devil Is a Lie"
(2013)
"Thug Cry"
(2014)
"They Don't Love You No More"
(2014)
Lil Wayne singles chronology
"We Alright"
(2014)
"Thug Cry"
(2014)
"Believe Me"
(2014)

Release

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"Thug Cry" was serviced to mainstream urban radio in the United States on March 13, 2014 and then to rhythmic contemporary radio in the same country on April 1, 2014 as the third official single from his sixth studio album Mastermind.[1][2]

Music video

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On May 5, 2014, the music video was released for "Thug Cry".[3] The video follows a prisoner, played by actor Wood Harris, as he steps out of jail after serving time. Flashbacks reveal Harris' sentencing leading up to his prison sentence. The video then ends with Ross, Yo Gotti, and friends, welcoming Harris home, giving him a Rolls-Royce.[4]

Chart performance

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Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[5] 193
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[6] 37
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[7] 12
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] 37

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Frequency News". Frequency News. 2014-03-13. Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  2. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates |". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
  3. ^ "Video: Rick Ross f/ Lil Wayne – 'Thug Cry'". Rap-Up.com. 2014-03-25. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  4. ^ "Rick Ross Releases Lil Wayne-Assisted 'Thug Cry' Video: Watch". Billboard. 5 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Zobbel.de: CHART: CLUK Update 15.03.2014 (wk10)". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  6. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  7. ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Rick Ross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  9. ^ "American single certifications – Rick Ross – Thug Cry". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 10, 2021.