"If Looks Could Kill" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American rapper Destroy Lonely, released on March 3, 2023, through Opium, Interscope, and Ingrooves as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name. The track first gained popularity on TikTok before its release, where the leaked snippet accumulated millions of views across videos. Musically, the song combines trap and emo rap elements with dark, atmospheric production and lyrics referencing fashion, violence, and self-image.
Following its release, it peaked at number 30 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and also charted in New Zealand and Lithuania. The track was later certified gold by the RIAA. The accompanying music video, directed by James Pereira, depicts Lonely leading a group of villagers toward self-expression, and the track was also featured in the NBA 2K24soundtrack.
Background and release
On August 12, 2022, Lonely surprised released his fifth mixtape, No Stylist, which received a mixed response from critics and fans. Following the mixtape's release, Lonely traveled to New York City to begin working on a new project. An early version of the single was previewed and began gaining traction on the social media platform TikTok, receiving over 200,000 streams and 75 million views before its official release.[2] The track's popularity led to multiple fan uploads, which resulted in it being placed at No. 11 on the SoundCloud U.S. chart for all genres.[3][2] Before its release, Lonely took to his X account to tweet "now, if looks could kill", hinting at it's close release.
Lonely then officially released the track on March 3, 2023,[4] and performed it live the same night during his Rolling Loud set.[5] Following the track's release, "If Looks Could Kill" reached number 30 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The track also became certified gold by the RIAA, marking it as his second certification following the release of his track "No Stylist".[6]
In an interview with Complex, Lonely stated the meaning of the song, as well as the story behind it.
"I was out in New York working on my album, If Looks Could Kill. That shit's hard. I got really in my mode on that. On a bunch of the songs, I'm talking about how I'm The Look Killer and a whole bunch of shit. So one day in October, I had woken up, like, "I'm finna go get a Halloween mask." And I was in the studio, recording with the mask on, smoking and everything. Then I was just like, "Fuck it, if looks could kill." Like, how the song starts off, that's how I started it on the track [sings: "If Looks Could Kill..."] and I just kept going. That song started my album. But if I'm being honest, I'm not an artist who'll be like, "I'm making this song because I feel like this." I just go in the booth and do it. I'm just talking about my life on every song."[7]
Cover art
The cover art for the single, originally done by Maxime Ballesteros and edited by stunmic, was taken from Ballesteros' book, Les Absents.[8] The photograph features a model bleeding due to being crushed by the heel of a shoe, giving off a rebellious and edgy vibe. The image's use of modern editing style & graphic imagery makes it visually striking and memorable. The design done by stunmic, however, takes a different angle photoshoot for the cover, and censors out the blood coming out of her eye; the image is also slightly darker compared to the original.[9]
"If Looks Could Kill" samples "Heathens" by Halestorm. According to Jewel Wicker of Alternative Press, Wicker wrote, "The title track juxtaposes lyrics about a luxury wardrobe with dark references to violence. "I'm walkin' through hell, I got an FN loaded up with a laser," the self-proclaimed "fashion demon" raps at one point. He closes the song with a blood-soaked statement: "If looks could kill, that makes every day Halloween."[10] Jon Powell of Revolt wrote how "If Looks Could Kill" is a "provides a perfect entry point for those not familiar with the Atlanta talent's unique style."[11] Will Schube of uDiscoverMusic wrote how Lonely floats "over a hazy electric guitar line, Lonely emits easygoing cool as he drifts between flexes" throughout the track.[3][12]
Music video
Following the track's release, Lonely followed through with the track's designated music video, which was directed by James Pereira (JMP). The video sees Destroy Lonely as a liberating figure who leads a group of emotionless, identically dressed villagers on a journey of self-expression and freedom. Arriving in an off-road vehicle and clad in all black, Lonely stands out against their dull surroundings. Through his presence and guidance, he inspires the villagers to break free from conformity, shedding their beige uniforms and embracing their individuality and creative power.[13]
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