"Moon" | |
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Song by Kanye West | |
from the album Donda | |
Released | August 29, 2021 |
Recorded | July 10–August 2021 |
Length | 2:36 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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"Moon" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album, Donda (2021). The song includes vocals from fellow rappers Don Toliver and Kid Cudi. The production was handled by West and E.Vax, with co-production from BoogzDaBeast and DJ Khalil. Alongside the vocalists, all the producers wrote the song. It initially only had an appearance from Toliver, however Kid Cudi was included after the album's first listening event in July 2021. Lil Yachty sought the rapper's appearance by reaching out to Vory, who arranged it through contact with West. The song had been crafted by West before Toliver worked on it in 2021, differing largely from the initial recording on the final version. A tender ballad, it features riffs of electric guitar and lyrics from Kid Cudi about reflecting to better himself.
"Moon" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who mostly praised Kid Cudi's appearance. Some reviewers were divided towards the song's presence on Donda being either an album highlight or underwhelming, while a few critics commended the composition. In the United States, the song reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It attained top-40 positions in nine other countries, including New Zealand and Canada, while peaking at number 20 on the Billboard Global 200. The song received platinum and gold certifications in the US and Canada from the Recording Industry Association of America and Music Canada, respectively. On Halloween 2021, the Sunday Service Choir performed a gospel version with Justin Bieber. Artist Revenue Advocates issued a lawsuit against West for unauthorized elements of "MSD PT2" on the song in July 2024, accusing him of not having obtained a license for usage.
West and Kid Cudi have appeared on various tracks together, beginning with "Welcome to Heartbreak" from the former's 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak . The rapper contributed to Kid Cudi's Man on the Moon: The End of Day the following year and even though he left West's label GOOD Music in 2013, the two remained collaborators. In 2018, they formed their duo Kids See Ghosts and released an eponymous studio album. [1] Alongside appearing on "Moon", Kid Cudi recorded for fellow Donda track "Remote Control", though his contributions were removed from the final version. [2] [3]
"Moon" was debuted during the album's first listening event July 23, 2021, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, though only Don Toliver made an appearance on this version. [1] [4] By the time the second listening party for Donda was held at the stadium on August 5, the song had been updated to include an appearance from Kid Cudi alongside Toliver. [1] [2] [5] The rapper tweeted that the final version was new to him since he had not heard it before the event and clarifying that although he knew of his presence on the album, he did not "hear final mixes". [5] Kid Cudi also recalled that he was not on the album when he previously tweeted this, explaining West contacted him the next week and they worked on the collaboration. [2] A new version of "Moon" was played for Donda's third listening event at Soldier Field in Chicago on August 26, 2021, which replaced Kid Cudi with West's gospel group the Sunday Service Choir. [1] [6] The version of the track that was included on the album three days later restored Kid Cudi's appearance alongside Toliver. [1]
During a Twitch livestream on September 7, 2021, fellow rapper Lil Yachty, who appears on fellow Donda track "Ok Ok", revealed that he was behind Kid Cudi being included on "Moon". After the song became popular on TikTok from the album's first listening party, the rapper expressed enthusiasm that Kid Cudi "would sound great" on it. [1] [3] Lil Yachty contacted fellow rapper and album contributor Vory to arrange the appearance, who in turn got in contact with West. West then recruited Kid Cudi; Lil Yatchy said of the collaboration, "Y'all can thank me." [1] [3] Speaking on In the Morning for Hot 97 in October 2021, Toliver recalled that he and West worked heavily on songs a couple of months before the album's final recording sessions. [lower-alpha 1] Toliver once arrived at a session where West had made tracks prior and he then left with some of them, working on numerous different records including "Moon". [8] [9] The rapper said his initial recording was completely different from the final version, although he felt blessed that it ended up becoming the song. Around the time of the October 2021 interview, West had gifted Toliver a NASA jacket to honor his appearance. [8] [9]
The song was produced by West and E.Vax, while it was co-produced by BoogzDaBeast and DJ Khalil; the producers served as songwriters with Toliver and Kid Cudi. [10] Musically, "Moon" is a tender ballad. [1] [2] The song was noted as seemingly featuring silence by both The New York Times and Vulture . [11] [12] It prominently features electric guitar riffs, alongside synth lines. [1] [12]
Kid Cudi and Toliver harmonize together on the song, contributing more vocals than West. [2] [13] [14] Toliver also delivers crooning, while Kid Cudi utilizes his signature smooth vocals. The latter sings about reflection, thinking about being "a better me". [1] He also performs a falsetto, singing "Here we go, strap in, we up/Never forget all the memories". [2]
On August 29, 2021, West's 10th studio album Donda was released by West's labels GOOD Music and Def Jam, including "Moon" as the 13th track. [15] On October 31, 2021, the Sunday Service Choir performed a gospel rendition of the song with Canadian singer Justin Bieber for their Halloween concert at an anonymous rooftop location. [16] [17] The group wore white linens for the performance, as did West as an onlooker. [16] At the time of the album's deluxe release on November 14, 2021, the Sunday Service Choir performed the song during a concert. [18]
"Moon" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Writing for HipHopDX , Andy Bustard declared that the "tender, spiritual interlude" relies on "the potent combination of Cudi's signature soothing vocals" with Toliver's crooning. [1] Craig Jenkins of Vulture highlighted the song as a "requisite Kid Cudi tearjerker" that entices with its guitar, while Exclaim! 's Riley Wallace felt the rapper's appearance helps make it one of the album's best tracks. [12] [19] At Slate , Carl Wilson saw "Moon" as one of the album's tracks that reaches its potential through West's guests outperforming him. [14] Similarly, Ryan Bell from DIY expressed that the strength of Kid Cudi's feature pushes West "awkwardly into the background on his own album". [13] In GQ , Rindner Grant wrote that "the sweet, falsetto-heavy ballad" helps set the scene on Donda and also described it as "sultry". [2] Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic lauded West for channeling his older material with the song, providing "808s & Heartbreak wistfulness". [20]
Certain reviewers were less appreciative of the song's inclusion on Donda. David Aaron Brake from HipHopDX said that the song is among the album's highlights, yet these are held back by its "hefty but mostly tepid 27-song tracklist". [21] The New York Times journalist Jon Caramanica felt that the song seems drowsy and "purely decorative" on the album. [11] In a highly negative review for Rolling Stone , Paul Thompson labeled "the embarrassingly soupy" song as the lowest moment of Donda. [22]
On July 17, 2024, Artist Revenue Advocates (ARA) filed a lawsuit against West on behalf of Khalil Abdul-Rahman Hazzard, Sam Barsh, Dan Seeff, and Josh Mease in a Los Angeles Court for copyright infringement. The lawsuit cited usage of elements from "MSD PT2" on "Moon" and fellow Donda track "Hurricane"; the work was recorded by the four musicians for a composer pack and offered for purchase in 2018. [23] [24] [25] West requested permission for usage and ARA refused to give him a license, accusing him of "blatant brazenness" for crediting Hazzard under his stage name of DJ Khalil on the tracks regardless. [23] [25] Attorneys for ARA issued a statement that the lawsuit focuses on "the rights of artists, musicians, and songwriters" for determining the publishing and usage of their works. [23] [24] [25] They continued that "intellectual property owners" should have a decision in exploitation of their material and the ability to "prevent shameless infringers from simply stealing". [24] [25] The four musicians had unsuccessfully attempted for the three years after the release of "Moon" and "Hurricane" to collect their share of the profits; listening events where the songs were played had earned $14 million and they had earned $15 million in streaming revenue by March 1, 2024. The lawsuit identified its defendants as West, Universal Music Group, GOOD Music, and Yeezy LLC, among others, requesting for a court decision over copyright infringement, damages, an award of costs, and any further relief. [23]
Upon the release of Donda, "Moon" debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [26] The song simultaneously entered at number six on both the US Christian Songs and Gospel Songs charts. [27] [28] It further reached number seven on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, placing among West's seven simultaneous top-10 hits that led to him tying Drake's record on the chart. [29] On July 11, 2022, "Moon" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for pushing 1,000,000 certified units in the United States. This came eight months after it was certified gold and marked one of West's two album tracks to achieve a new RIAA certification that week, alongside "Ghost Town" (2018). [30] [31]
In Canada, the song charted at number 21 on the Canadian Hot 100. [32] On November 23, 2021, it received a gold certification from Music Canada for pushing 40,000 units in Canada. [33] The song was most successful in New Zealand, reaching number nine on the NZ Singles Chart. [34] In Australia, it entered the ARIA Singles Chart at number 15. [35] The song performed similarly in Iceland, debuting at number 12 on the Icelandic Singles Chart. [36] It reached numbers 22 and 23 on the Danish Track Top-40 and Norwegian Topp 20 Singles charts, respectively. [37] [38] Top-40 positions were also attained by the song in Lithuania, Ireland, and Portugal, [39] [40] [41] On September 6, 2024, it was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry for shelving 200,000 units in the United Kingdom. [42] The song charted at number 20 on the Billboard Global 200. [43]
Credits adapted from Tidal. [10]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Canada (Music Canada) [33] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [42] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [63] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Notes
Citations
American rapper Kanye West has released ten studio albums, four collaborative studio albums, one compilation album, one demo album, two live albums, one video album, and five mixtapes. All ten of his studio albums have been certified at least gold in the United States. As of June 2021, West has certified 25 million equivalent solo albums units in the United States, placing him among the highest-certified music artists in the United States.
Man on the Moon: The End of Day is the debut studio album by American rapper Kid Cudi. It was released on September 15, 2009, through Dream On, GOOD Music, and Universal Motown Records. A concept album, narrated by fellow American rapper Common, it follows the release of his first full-length project A Kid Named Cudi (2008), and is the first installment of the Man on the Moon trilogy. Production was handled by several high-profile record producers, including Kanye West, Emile Haynie, Plain Pat, and Jeff Bhasker, as well as contributions from Dot da Genius, Free School and The Kickdrums, among others.
The discography of American musician Kid Cudi consists of ten studio albums, one compilation album, one box set, three extended plays (EPs), one mixtape, 32 singles, eight promotional singles and 32 music videos, the details of which are included in his videography.
"Make Her Say" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kid Cudi, released as the second single from his debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009). The single was digitally released to iTunes on June 9, 2009. It features fellow American rappers Common and Kanye West, the latter of whom also produced the song. The song is perhaps best known for its sample of the US number-one hit single "Poker Face", as performed by American singer Lady Gaga. The song received a nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager is the second studio album by American rapper Kid Cudi. It was released on November 9, 2010, through Dream On and GOOD Music, and distributed by Universal Motown Records. It serves as a sequel to his debut studio album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009), and is the second installment of the Man on the Moon trilogy. Production for the album took place during 2009 to 2010 at various recording studios and was handled by long-time collaborators Emile Haynie and Plain Pat. It also featured contributions from Anthony Kilhoffer, Blended Babies, Chuck Inglish, Dot da Genius, Jim Jonsin, and Rami Beatz, among others. The album was supported by two singles: "Erase Me" and "Mr. Rager".
"Erase Me" is a song by American musician Kid Cudi, released August 17, 2010, as the lead single from his second studio album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010). It features a guest appearance by his mentor, fellow American rapper Kanye West, and was produced by Jim Jonsin. The song proved to be another hit single for Cudi, with the song reaching the top 40 of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
"Off the Grid" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album Donda (2021). The song features vocals from American rappers Playboi Carti and Fivio Foreign, with choir vocals performed by opera singer Justin Austin. It was released to US urban contemporary radio stations as the album's fourth single on November 30, 2021.
"Father Stretch My Hands" are songs by American rapper Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). They are split into two parts on the album: "Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1" and "Pt. 2". "Pt. 1" contains vocals by American rapper Kid Cudi and American R&B singer Kelly Price, while "Pt. 2" includes vocals from American rapper Desiigner and American musician Caroline Shaw. Prior to release, the latter was played by West for Desiigner when the two met.
American rapper Kanye West has released 138 singles, four promotional singles and charted with 65 other songs.
Kids See Ghosts was an American hip hop superduo composed of rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi. Formed during West's 2018 Wyoming sessions, the duo's eponymous debut album was released in June of that year by Def Jam Recordings, along with their respective label imprints, GOOD Music and Wicked Awesome Records. Met with critical and commercial success, the album peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The duo disbanded in 2022 due to personal disagreements, although they reconciled the following year.
"4th Dimension" is a song by American hip hop duo Kids See Ghosts, composed of the rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi, from their eponymous debut studio album (2018). The song features a guest appearance from Louis Prima, who was credited as a featured artist due to his work being sampled. It was produced by West, with additional production from Mike Dean and Noah Goldstein. The producers co-wrote the song with Kid Cudi and Prima, with the latter of the two receiving credit as a result of it sampling music by him. A hip hop song, it samples Prima's "What Will Santa Claus Say " and Shirley Ann Lee's "Someday". Lyrically, the song features Kids See Ghosts presenting their thoughts to stop themselves from becoming worried.
"Fire" is a song by American hip hop duo Kids See Ghosts, composed of the rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi, from their only studio album (2018). West, Kid Cudi, BoogzDaBeast, and André 3000 produced the song, while additional production was handled by Evan Mast. Written by the producers with the exception of BoogzDaBeast, it is a rock-influenced track that includes a sample of Napoleon XIV's "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!". In the lyrics, Kids See Ghosts refuse to let haunting demons define them.
Caleb Zackery "Don" Toliver is an American rapper, and singer-songwriter. His debut mixtape, Donny Womack (2018) was released a day prior to fellow Houston rapper Travis Scott's album Astroworld (2018), on which Toliver guest appeared on its song "Can't Say". In the following week, he signed with Scott's record label, Cactus Jack Records, in a joint venture with Atlantic Records.
Donda is the tenth studio album by American rapper Kanye West. It was released by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings on August 29, 2021. The album features a broad range of guest performances from artists, including The Weeknd, Jay-Z, Marilyn Manson, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, Lil Yachty, Baby Keem, Playboi Carti, Jay Electronica, Lil Baby, DaBaby, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla Sign, Fivio Foreign, Lil Durk, Pop Smoke, the Lox, Shenseea, Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, and Young Thug, among others; as well as vocals from Chris Brown were also included prior to the album being updated. Its deluxe version features guest vocals from André 3000, Tyler, the Creator, and KayCyy. West himself, as well as BoogzDaBeast, Dem Jointz, Mike Dean, and Ojivolta primarily helmed the album's production. West recorded much of the material at multiple locations in the summer of 2021, including Bighorn Mountain Ranch in Wyoming and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The discography of American rapper and singer Don Toliver consists of four studio albums, one collaborative album, two mixtapes, and 29 singles. In 2018, Toliver was featured on his Cactus Jack Records label boss, Travis Scott's song, "Can't Say", which debuted and peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Tell the Vision" is a song by American rapper Pop Smoke featuring fellow American rappers Kanye West and Pusha T from the former's second posthumous studio album, Faith (2021). West produced the song with Boogz, FnZ, Rico Beats, and SethInTheKitchen, while Jalil Peraza and Jess Jackson served as additional producers. A drill track, it samples a choir and Angie Martinez's ode to Pop Smoke. In the lyrics of the song, the rapper discusses his upbringing in Brooklyn and the struggles he experienced during this period.
"Hurricane" is a song by American rapper Kanye West and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd featuring fellow American rapper Lil Baby, from the former's tenth studio album Donda (2021). The song features additional vocals from the Sunday Service Choir and KayCyy. It came from a jam session at Archwood Music Studio and was passed on by Chance the Rapper to West, who shared a preview in September 2018. The song was originally slated for inclusion on West's since scrapped album, Yandhi, and went through multiple reiterations prior to release, with the final version being debuted in July 2021. On August 8, 2021, it was accidentally made available via certain streaming services before being pulled less than 24 hours later, but was officially released with the rest of the album on August 29, 2021. It was also eventually sent to US rhythmic contemporary radio stations as the album's lead single on September 14, by GOOD Music and Def Jam. An R&B, hip hop, and pop jam with an atmospheric beat, it contains organs and bass.
"Jail" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album, Donda (2021). The song includes vocals from fellow American rapper Jay-Z. Towards the end of the album, another version of the song titled "Jail pt 2" appears, which includes more vocals from DaBaby and Marilyn Manson. It won the award for Best Rap Song at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
"Remote Control" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album Donda (2021). The song, which features vocals from fellow American rapper Young Thug, was produced by West alongside Cubeatz, Digital Nas, Ojivolta, 88-Keys, Mike Dean and Teddy Walton.
"Life of the Party" is a song by American rappers Kanye West and André 3000. It was intended for West's tenth studio album Donda (2021), but was left off the album due to André 3000 not agreeing to his verse being edited to a clean version. The song was later leaked by Canadian rapper Drake on Sound 42 radio amidst a feud with West. It was initially released as an exclusive to the Donda Stem Player in October 2021. The song was released fully in November 2021 on the deluxe version of Donda, and an explicit version as a single. The song ends with audio of a clip of DMX and his daughter on an amusement park ride.