Nice for What

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
"Nice for What"
Drake Nice for What.png
Single by Drake
from the album Scorpion
ReleasedApril 6, 2018 (2018-4-6)
Recorded2018
Genre Bounce
Length3:30
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Drake singles chronology
"Walk It Talk It"
(2018)		"Nice for What"
(2018)		"Yes Indeed"
(2018)
Music video
"Nice for What" on YouTube

"Nice for What" is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake from his fifth studio album Scorpion (2018). It was released by Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records as the second single from the album on April 6, 2018, along with its music video. The song was produced by Murda Beatz, Noah "40" Shebib and Corey Litwin with co-production handled by Blaqnmild. It features additional vocals by Big Freedia and 5th Ward Weebie. It contains a sample from "Ex-Factor", written and performed by Lauryn Hill, which itself samples "Can It Be All So Simple", written and performed by Wu-Tang Clan. The latter song also samples "The Way We Were". Therefore, Hill, the eight members of Wu-Tang Clan, and Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman are credited among the composers. [1]

Contents

It debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, replacing Drake's own "God's Plan" and becoming his fifth US number one. [2] It also topped the UK Singles Chart and ARIA Singles Chart, becoming his second number-one song of 2018 in the two countries after "God's Plan". [3] Rolling Stone ranked it 54th on their list of the '100 Best Songs of the 2010s'. In 2021, The Guardian ranked it number-one on their list of 'Drake's 30 Greatest songs'. [4] It was later ranked as the number one Drake Hot 100 hit by Billboard staff. The song was awarded two ASCAP Awards, including Top Rap Song, and was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Background

On March 14, 2018, Lauryn Hill's son Joshua Omaru Marley posted a snippet of the song on Snapchat. [5] Drake later confirmed an upcoming Murda Beatz-produced single during an Instagram Live session. [6] On April 5, Drake made a surprise appearance during a Majid Jordan concert in Toronto. [7] [8] [9] "The reason I'm here tonight is because I'm back in the city finishing my album," he told the audience. "I've got a new single dropping tomorrow night, too, just in case you got some free time." [10] [11] [12] [13]

Composition

"Nice for What" is an upbeat bounce song which contains elements of early 2000s R&B, [14] [15] [16] with a length of three minutes thirty seconds. [17] It samples Lauryn Hill's song "Ex-Factor" (1998), "Drag Rap" by the Showboys (1986), "Get Your Roll On" by Big Tymers (2000), and also features clips from performances by Big Freedia. [18] [19] [20] Lyrically, the hook of Drake's song samples Lauryn Hill singing about "cutting loose in the midst of a relationship". [21]

Music video

Directed by Karena Evans, the accompanying music video shows women carrying out various activities, including swimming, dancing, modeling, playing with children, horse-riding, and holding a business meeting. [22] It features guest appearances from, in order of appearance, [23] Olivia Wilde, Misty Copeland, Issa Rae, Rashida Jones, Jourdan Dunn, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tiffany Haddish, Yara Shahidi, Zoe Saldana, Elizabeth and Victoria Lejonhjärta, Letitia Wright, Bria Vinaite, Emma Roberts, Syd, Michelle Rodriguez and Drake himself. [24] [25] [26] [27] Evans called it an honour to work on the video, writing on Instagram that it was "a privilege and a blessing to have told this story with every single one of you revolutionary women, both in front and behind the camera". [28]

Critical reception

"Nice for What" received positive reviews from music critics, with many praising its promotion of female empowerment. [29] [30] Hugh McIntyre of Forbes regarded the "perfectly-pitched" song as "another perfect delivery from the biggest artist in hip-hop", writing that the "vocal sample helps the track stand out from much of the rest of his discography". [22] Kevin Lozano of Pitchfork awarded the song "Best New Track", praising Drake for "smoothly handling the impeccable production from Murda Beatz", and lauding the song as "a fantastic piece of hip-hop machinery" and "one of Drake's most complete releases in some time". [31]

Chris DeVille of Stereogum deemed the song "a big, brash, almost obnoxiously loud New Orleans bounce-inspired production", describing it as "extremely poppy and sounds like a bid for continued commercial dominance". [32]

Billboard named "Nice for What" the fifth-best song of 2018. [33] Rolling Stone also named "Nice for What" the fifth-best song of 2018, [34] and ranked it 54th on their list of the '100 Best Songs of the 2010s'. [35]

In 2021, The Guardian ranked it number-one on their list of 'Drake's 30 Greatest songs'. [4] Billboard staff placed it at number one on their 2024 list ranking all 321 Drake songs that reached the Hot 100 at the time. [36]

Commercial performance

In the United States, Drake became the first artist to have a new number-one debut replace his former number-one debut ("God's Plan") at the top of the Hot 100. It debuted with 88,000 downloads sold and 60.4 million streams. "Nice for What" became the 30th song in Billboard history to enter at number one. It also became Drake's fifth US number-one song overall and third as a lead artist. [2] The song also became the first song to debut on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart in the top 10. [37] "Nice for What" topped the Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks before it was replaced on May 14, 2018, by Childish Gambino's "This Is America". [38] [39] [40] It then returned for a fifth non-consecutive week at the number one spot on the issue date June 2, 2018. [41] On the issue dated July 14, 2018, "Nice for What" became the first song to reach number one in four nonconsecutive runs. It topped the Hot 100 for eight nonconsecutive weeks. On July 21, 2018, it was replaced at the top by another Drake song, “In My Feelings” and slipped to the number four spot. It ultimately remained in the top ten for 17 weeks. [42]

Awards and nominations

YearOrganizationAwardResult
2018 Teen Choice Awards Choice Summer SongNominated
iHeartRadio MMVAs Best DirectorNominated
Song of the SummerNominated
BET Hip Hop Awards Single of the YearNominated
2019 Grammy Awards Best Rap Performance Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards Hip-Hop Song of the YearNominated
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards [43] Award Winning Rap SongsWon
Top Rap SongWon

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and Qobuz.

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [93] 8× Platinum560,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [94] 3× Platinum120,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [95] 4× Platinum320,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [96] Platinum90,000‡
France (SNEP) [97] Platinum200,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [98] Gold200,000‡
Italy (FIMI) [99] Gold25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [100] Platinum30,000‡
Portugal (AFP) [101] Platinum10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [102] 4× Platinum2,400,000‡
United States (RIAA) [103] 9× Platinum9,000,000‡
Streaming
Sweden (GLF) [104] Platinum8,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousApril 6, 2018 Digital download [17]
United StatesApril 10, 2018 Rhythmic and Urban contemporary radio
[105]

References

  1. ↑ "The Sampling History Behind Drake's 'Nice For What': A Timeline". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  2. 1 2 Trust, Gary (April 16, 2018). "Drake Dethrones Himself Atop Hot 100, as 'Nice for What' Debuts at No. 1, Replacing 'God's Plan'". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Drake's 30 greatest songs – ranked!". the Guardian. 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  5. ↑ "Listen to a Snippet of a Drake and Lauryn Hill Collaboration". Rap-Up . March 14, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  6. ↑ Mojica, Nick (March 22, 2018). "Drake Confirms New Single on the Way Is Produced by Murda Beatz". XXL . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  7. ↑ Wicks, Amanda (April 6, 2018). "Drake Says He's Releasing a New Song Tomorrow". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  8. ↑ Thiessen, Brock (April 6, 2018). "Drake Is Releasing a New Single Friday Night". Exclaim! . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  9. ↑ Robles, Jonathan (April 6, 2018). "New Drake Song Is Coming Very, Very Soon". Variance . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  10. ↑ Rolli, Bryan (April 6, 2018). "Drake Confirms He's Finishing New Album, Drops 'Nice For What' Song/Video". Forbes. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  11. ↑ Jones, Abby (April 6, 2018). "Drake Says He's Dropping a New Single Tonight". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  12. ↑ Aswad, Jem (April 6, 2018). "Drake Says He's Dropping a New Song Tonight (Video)". Variety . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  13. ↑ Grant, Teddy (April 6, 2018). "Drake Announces He's Dropping New Single Tonight". Ebony . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  14. ↑ Peters, Mitchell (April 7, 2018). "Drake Drops New Lauryn Hill-Sampling Song and Video 'Nice For What': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  15. ↑ Peters, Micah (April 9, 2018). ""Nice for What" Is Another Inevitable Victory for Drake". The Ringer . Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  16. ↑ Ting, Jasmine (April 7, 2018). "Drake Does Everything Right in 'Nice For What'". Paper . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  17. 1 2 "Nice For What / Drake TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  18. ↑ Hussein, Wandera (April 7, 2018). "Legendary New Orleans bounce producer BlaqNmilD talks co-producing "Nice For What"". The Fader . Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  19. ↑ Welsh, April (April 7, 2018). "Watch the star-studded video for Drake's new song 'Nice For What'". Fact . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  20. ↑ Carmichael, Rodney (April 7, 2018). "Drake Bounces, Looking To Uplift Single Women As They Drop It Low". WPSU . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  21. ↑ Arcand, Rob (April 7, 2018). "Video: Drake – "Nice For What"". Spin . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  22. 1 2 McIntyre, Hugh (April 6, 2018). "Drake Drops Energetic New Single 'Nice For What'". Forbes. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  23. ↑ Maicki, Salvatore (April 7, 2018). "A breakdown of all the cameos in Drake's "Nice For What" video". The Fader . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  24. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (April 7, 2018). "Watch Drake's Star-Studded Video for New Song 'Nice for What'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  25. ↑ Young, Alex (April 7, 2018). "Drake drops new single "Nice For What" and all-star video: Watch". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  26. ↑ Hall, Gerrad (April 7, 2018). "Olivia Wilde, Tiffany Haddish, Issa Rae, more powerful women star in Drake's 'Nice for What' video". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  27. ↑ Blais-Billie, Braudie; Wicks, Amanda (April 7, 2018). "Drake's New "Nice for What" Video Stars Issa Rae, Olivia Wilde, Rashida Jones: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  28. ↑ Saad, Nardine (April 7, 2018). "Drake lauds celebrity girl squad in new 'Nice for What' video". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  29. ↑ Chaplain, Chloe (April 7, 2018). "Drake 'Nice For What' track praised for promoting female empowerment". London Evening Standard . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  30. ↑ Mapstone, Lucy (April 7, 2018). "Drake praised for empowering women with star-studded new video". Irish Independent . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  31. ↑ Lozano, Kevin (April 7, 2018). ""Nice for What" by Drake Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  32. ↑ DeVille, Chris (April 7, 2018). "Drake – "Nice For What" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2018: Critics' Picks". Billboard .
  34. ↑ Spanos, Brittany; Sheffield, Rob; Hermes, Will; Johnston, Maura; Exposito, Suzy; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Leight, Elias; Holmes, Charles; Reeves, Mosi; Bernstein, Jonathan; Hoard, Christian; Dolan, Jon (2018-12-14). "50 Best Songs of 2018". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  35. ↑ Hermes, Will; Spanos, Brittany; Hoard, Christian; Exposito, Suzy; Holmes, Charles; Shaffer, Claire; Freeman, Jon; Hudak, Joseph; Browne, David; Dolan, Jon; Sheffield, Rob; Levy, Joe; Catucci, Nick; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Greene, Andy; Ehrlich, Brenna; Klinkenberg, Brendan; Shteamer, Hank; Martoccio, Angie (2019-12-04). "The 100 Best Songs of the 2010s". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  36. ↑ Gottsegen, Andrew Unterberger, Josh Glicksman, Carl Lamarre, Bryan Kress, Bianca Gracie, Kyle McGovern, Michael Saponara, Jason Lipshutz, Ross Scarano, Trevor Anderson, Joe Lynch, Tatiana Cirisano, Christine Werthman, Chris Payne, Will; Unterberger, Andrew; Glicksman, Josh; Lamarre, Carl; Kress, Bryan; Gracie, Bianca; McGovern, Kyle; Saponara, Michael; Lipshutz, Jason (2024-02-19). "Every Drake Hot 100 Hit, Ranked: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-02-20.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  39. ↑ McIntyre, Hugh. "Camila Cabello and Post Malone Chart New Top 10 Hits While Drake Rules Again". Forbes . Archived from the original on May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' Blasts in at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  41. ↑ "Drake's 'Nice for What' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Lil Baby, Ella Mai & BTS Earn First Top 10s". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
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