| "2 A.M." | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by King Von | ||||
| from the album Levon James | ||||
| Released | November 16, 2019 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:00 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Chopsquad DJ | |||
| King Von singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "2 A.M." on YouTube | ||||
"2 A.M." is a song by American rapper King Von. It is the fourth track and first single from his debut album Levon James from 2020. The song was released on November 16, 2019. [1] [2] and it was produced and written in collaboration with Chopsquad DJ. [3]
"2 A.M." by King Von is a compelling narrative that delves into the realities of life in Chicago's South Side. The song vividly portrays the experiences one might encounter while navigating the streets during the late hours. The song stays true to the traditional drill sound, with a menacing instrumental, which let von deliver his verses with an intense fervor, embodying a sense of vengeance and determination. It encapsulates the raw essence of urban life, particularly highlighting the tensions and conflicts present in gang-ridden neighborhoods. In the song's hook, Bennett vividly narrates the experience of leaving the club at 2 a.m. only to encounter rival gang members outside. His lyrics paint a gritty picture of the streets, with lines like "It's 2 a.m., we leavin' the club/ Heard the opps outside," capturing the tension and danger of the situation. The refrain "Did 'em dirty now it's hot outside" further emphasizes the retaliation and consequences that follow such encounters. [4] [5] [6]
The song shares similar title and storytelling type of narrative with song "3 A.M", that's also contained on the same project Levon James .
The music video for "2 A.M." was released on November 16, 2019, on YouTube platform, three days prior to the official distribution of the song on streaming platforms, it was produced by Drewfilmedit. The visuals offers a captivating and vibrant visual representation of the song's narrative with Bennett and his friends as the main subjects of the music video. [7] [8] [9]
David Crone of AllMusic commends "2 A.M." for its skillful execution of drill narratives over a stuttering beat. In his review, that's centered on the whole Levon James mixtape, Crone highlights King Von's ability to vividly depict urban realities, noting the song's captivating storytelling and relentless instrumental. [5]
"The Weight" is a song by the Canadian-American group the Band that was released as a single in 1968 and on the group's debut album Music from Big Pink. It was their first release under this name, after their previous releases as Canadian Squires and Levon and the Hawks. Written by Band member Robbie Robertson, the song is about a visitor's experiences in a town mentioned in the lyric's first line as Nazareth. "The Weight" has significantly influenced American popular music, having been listed as No. 41 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time published in 2004. Pitchfork Media named it the 13th best song of the 1960s, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named it one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. PBS, which broadcast performances of the song on Ramble at the Ryman (2011), Austin City Limits (2012), and Quick Hits (2012), describes it as "a masterpiece of Biblical allusions, enigmatic lines and iconic characters" and notes its enduring popularity as "an essential part of the American songbook."
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Durk Devontay Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, is an American rapper. Regarded as a pioneering artist in the Chicago-based hip hop subgenre drill music, he has been noted as one of the subgenre's most commercially successful rappers. He initially garnered local success with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series (2013–2014), which led to him to sign with Def Jam Recordings. The label released his debut studio album, Remember My Name (2015), and its follow-up, Lil Durk 2X (2016), to moderate commercial reception before parting ways with the rapper in 2018.
UK drill is a subgenre of drill music and road rap that originated in the South London district of Brixton from 2012 onwards. While being sonically distinct from Chicago drill music, it embraces its aesthetic and melds it with road rap, a British style of gangsta rap that became popular in the years prior to the existence of drill. UK drill lyrical content tends to be truculent, depicting the harsh realism of their lifestyles. The explicit lyricism has stimulated discussion about whether the subgenre is a factor in an increase in knife crime in London. Gang affiliation and socioeconomically-deprived backgrounds are common amongst UK drill artists. Artists such as 150, 67, Harlem Spartans, 1011, and 410 have been cited as innovators of UK drill.
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Dayvon Daquan Bennett, known professionally as King Von, was an American rapper and gangster from Chicago, Illinois, who was affiliated with the Black Disciples gang. He was considered a preeminent figure in the drill genre.
The discography of American rapper King Von includes three studio albums, with two of them being posthumous, two mixtapes, thirty-one singles, with ten of them being featured collaborations, and thirty-three music videos all crafted during his career. His work is known for vivid storytelling and raw narratives, which played a key role in establishing him as a prominent figure in the drill music scene.
Levon James is the debut studio album by American rapper King Von. It was released through Only the Family Entertainment/Empire on March 6, 2020. It is a 16-track project in an assortment of drill heavy beats executive produced by Chopsquad DJ and with various others productions from Mike WiLL Made-It, EY3ZLOWBEATZ, Ant Chamberlain, Budda Beats, Blue Nightmare, Dr. Flow, Bruce "Jaggerwerks" Billingy, MVAbeats, Mike Mvjor, JAYSTONBEATS. It has guest appearances from Lil Durk, Booka600, G Herbo, NLE Choppa, Tee Grizzley, YNW Melly, and Yungeen Ace.
Welcome to O'Block is the second studio album by American rapper King Von and the last to be released during his lifetime. It was released on November 3, 2020 by Only the Family and Empire Distribution. Welcome to O'Block was released a week prior to King Von's murder on November 6, 2020, after the album's official release party. The project features chief production from Chopsquad DJ, and other producers including Hitmaka, Tay Keith and Wheezy; guest appearances include Polo G, Lil Durk, Dreezy, Moneybagg Yo, Fivio Foreign and Prince Dre.
"Crazy Story" is a song by American rapper King Von, released on December 6, 2018, as his debut single through Only the Family and Empire Distribution. The song is one of Von's most popular songs and it is considered his breakout hit. It was followed by two sequels: "Crazy Story 2.0" and "Crazy Story, Pt. 3". All three singles appear on Von's mixtape Grandson, Vol. 1 (2019), while "Crazy Story" was included on Only The Family mixtape Only The Family Involved Vol. 2.
"Took Her to the O" is a song by American rapper King Von released on February 21, 2020, through labels Only the Family and Empire representing the third and last single extracted from his debut album Levon James (2020). The song was written by Von and Chopsquad DJ, with the latter solely producing the beat. The song is among Von's most popular. The song is a drill track. The song received positive reviews from music critics, with many praising it for the detail-rich approach to storytelling.
"Jump" is a song by American rapper Lil Durk in collaboration with late fellow rapper King Von and featuring Chicago rappers Booka600 and Memo600. It was released on March 3, 2021, as the sixth and final single from Only The Family's fourth compilation album, Loyal Bros (2021). Two days ahead of the album's release. "Jump" debuted and peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
Grandson, Vol. 1 is the only mixtape by American rapper King Von. It was released through Only the Family Entertainment/Empire on September 20, 2019. Executively produced by Chopsquad DJ, it features guest appearances from Lil Durk and Booka600. Production was primarily handled by Chopsquad DJ, but was also produced by, Mac Fly, Murda Beatz, Kid Wond3r, Timmy Da Hitman, Young Chop, and BKH Beats. The project peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200. The project had 5 singles, "War With Us", "Crazy Story", "Crazy Story Remix ", "What It's Like", and "Crazy Story, Pt. 3."
What It Means to Be King is the third studio album by American rapper King Von. It was posthumously released through Empire Distribution and Only the Family on March 4, 2022. The album features guest appearances from G Herbo, 21 Savage, Fivio Foreign, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Durk, Tee Grizzley, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Dreezy, Boss Top, DqFrmDaO, and OMB Peezy. Production was handled by Chopsquad DJ, Hitmaka, Tee Romano, Kid Hazel, Touch of Trent, DJ Bandz, DJ FMCT, Glaazer, Diego Ave, Bankroll Got It, TM88, ATL Jacob, Geraldo Liive, CGM Beats, John Lam, and Raw Equity. The album marks Von's first posthumous project and serves as the follow-up to his previous album, Welcome to O'Block (2020).
"War" is a posthumously released song by American rapper King Von, released on March 2, 2022, through Only the Family and Empire Distribution, as the third single from his second studio album What It Means to Be King (2022). The song was produced by Chopsquad DJ.
"Armed & Dangerous" is a song by American rapper King Von. It was released on October 30, 2020, as an extract and first track from Von's debut studio album Welcome to O'Block from 2020.
"Crazy Story, Pt. 3" is a song by American rapper King Von, released on September 13, 2019, as a single extracted from Von's mixtape Grandson, Vol. 1. It is the continuation of the first two chapters, "Crazy Story" and "Crazy Story 2.0", and features rapper Lil Durk, following a pattern of storytelling-based songs. Crazy Story, Pt. 3 was certified platinum by Recording Industry Association of America on August 10, 2022, having sold more than a million certified units since its release. The song was produced by Chopsquad DJ.
"I Am What I Am" is a song by American rapper King Von featuring a guest appearance from New York rapper Fivio Foreign it is the fourth single extracted from his debut studio album Welcome to O'Block released in 2020. The song was released through OTF and Empire labels on October 9, 2020. It extablishes connection between the Chicago and New York drill worlds as never seen before