| "Junky" | ||||
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| Single by Brockhampton | ||||
| from the album Saturation II | ||||
| Released | August 15, 2017 | |||
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| Length | 4:08 | |||
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| Brockhampton singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Junky" on YouTube | ||||
"Junky" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on August 15, 2017 as the third single from their second studio album Saturation II (2017).
The production of the song contains erhu, [1] while the lyrics revolve around the personal and social challenges that each member has faced. In the opening verse, Kevin Abstract raps about his homosexuality and its surrounding challenges ("'Why you always rap about being gay?' / 'Cause not enough niggas rap and be gay"). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] This is followed by a "piercing cacophony of solemn piano chords and tire screeches". [6] Ameer Vann discusses his paranoia and drug addiction in the next verse, after which Merlyn Wood raps about his family pressuring him to pursue a career outside of music. [2] [4] [5] Matt Champion performs the penultimate verse, in which he addresses sexism, male entitlement and rape culture. [2] [4] [7]
Matthew Strauss of Pitchfork called Kevin Abstract's verse "ferocious" and wrote "even when his bandmates rap with less objective gravity, the coiled beats makes them feel just as important." [3] Peter A. Berry of XXL described Matt Champion's verse as "accurate, but misplaced" and deemed it irrelevant to the similar themes of the other verses. [4]
Live365 ranked it as their second best song. [8] Variety placed "Junky" at number 14 on their list of Brockhampton's 15 best songs. [9]
The music video was directed by Kevin Abstract and filmed in Los Angeles. It shows the members of Brockhampton "spazzing out" in front of the camera, as well as frightening shots of four people wearing dresses that are soaked in blood and a person wearing an alien-looking baby mask and holding a butcher's knife in the back seat of a car. [10] [11] [12] [13]
Clifford Ian Simpson, known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his role as a founding member of Brockhampton. He released his debut album, MTV1987, in 2014 to critical acclaim, and received attention from a number of major music blogs and magazine publications. His second album, American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story, was released in November 2016, his third, Arizona Baby, was released in April 2019, and his fourth, Blanket, was released in November 2023.
Saturation is the debut studio album by American rap collective Brockhampton. Independently released on June 9, 2017, the album features appearances from group members Kevin Abstract, Ameer Vann, Merlyn Wood, Dom McLennon, Matt Champion, Joba, and Bearface. Production was primarily handled by group members Romil Hemnani, Jabari Manwa, and Kiko Merley, with additional contributions from Joba, Bearface, and No Rome. Manwa, along with Brockhampton webmaster Robert Ontenient, perform the albums vocal skits.
Brockhampton was an American boy band/rap collective founded in 2014 in San Marcos, Texas. Led by Kevin Abstract and formed partially through the online music discussion forum KanyeToThe, the group's final line-up consisted of vocalists Abstract, Matt Champion, Merlyn Wood, and Dom McLennon, vocalists/producers Joba, Bearface, and Jabari Manwa and producers Romil Hemnani and Kiko Merley, as well as graphic designer Henock "HK" Sileshi, photographer Ashlan Grey, web designer Roberto Ontenient, and manager Jon Nunes.
Saturation II is the second studio album by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on August 25, 2017. Production is primarily handled by Romil Hemnani, alongside production duo Q3, Bearface, Kevin Abstract, and Joba.
Saturation III is the third studio album by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on December 15, 2017. Production is predominantly handled by Romil Hemnani, alongside production duo Q3, as with previous releases. It concludes the Saturation trilogy, commenced with Saturation and followed with Saturation II. Originally promoted as the group's "final studio album", the group announced their fourth album, titled Team Effort at the time before being scrapped, a day before Saturation III was released. Saturation III is the band's last album with founding member Ameer Vann, who left the band in May 2018 amid accusations of sexual misconduct.
"Gummy" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton and the lead single from their second studio album Saturation II (2017). The music video premiered on August 1, 2017, before the song was released to streaming services on August 2.
"Swamp" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on August 8, 2017 as the second single from their second studio album Saturation II (2017).
"Sweet" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on August 22, 2017 as the fourth single from their second studio album Saturation II (2017).
"Gold" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton and the third single from their debut studio album Saturation (2017). The music video premiered on May 23, 2017, before the song was released to streaming services on May 30, 2017.
Brockhampton was an American hip-hop collective. Formed in 2010, they have released eight studio albums, four compilations, one mixtape, 27 singles, and 38 music videos. Originally formed as AliveSinceForever in 2010 and after releasing a compilation and extended play under the name in 2012 and 2013 respectively, the group rebranded to Brockhampton, proclaiming themselves as "the world's greatest boy band". The collective's lineup underwent significant changes in 2014 alongside this rebrand. After releasing singles throughout 2015, the group's debut mixtape, All-American Trash, was released for free on March 24, 2016.
Ameer Emmanuel Vann is an American rapper. He is best known for being a member of music collective Brockhampton, until his departure from the group in May 2018. After leaving Brockhampton, Vann started his solo career and released his first commercial EP, Emmanuel, in September 2019.
"1999 Wildfire" is a single by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on July 7, 2018. It features additional vocals from American producer Jazze Pha.
"Bleach" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton from their third studio album Saturation III (2017).
"Star" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton and the fourth single from their debut studio album Saturation (2017).
"Face" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton and the lead single from their debut studio album Saturation (2017). The music video premiered on May 6, 2017, before the song was released to streaming services on May 18, 2017.
"Heat" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton and the second single from their debut studio album Saturation (2017). The music video premiered on May 16, 2017, before the song was released to streaming services on May 18, 2017.
"Boogie" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on December 12, 2017, as the lead single from their third studio album Saturation III (2017).
"Rental" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on December 15, 2017, as a single from their third studio album Saturation III (2017).
"Zipper" is a song by American hip hop boy band Brockhampton, released on December 15, 2017, as a single from their third studio album Saturation III (2017). It contains a sample of "Cha Cha Cha!" by Optigan.
William Anku Kraka Mawuli Andoh Wood Jr., known by his stage name Merlyn Wood, is a Ghanaian-American rapper and songwriter. Born in Accra and raised in Texas, Wood is best known for his work as a member of hip-hop collective and boyband Brockhampton, with whom he released eight studio albums from 2014 to 2022. During his time with Brockhampton, Wood was recognized as the groups hype man, with his verses being noted for their energy and Ghanaian accent.