Really Doe (Danny Brown song)

Last updated

Me and Kendrick always talked about doing stuff, and I had the idea to get K.Dot and Earl together ... but first I got me and Ab-Soul. And then one day when I was mixing the album with Ali, K.Dot snuck in and just laced it. I had to be patient and wait on Earl, but it was all worth it you know because Hip-Hop needs that posse cut. We just wanna make the best possible song cause we know the hype on paper. I know it's gonna satisfy, my feet is up.

Controversy

In April 2020, during a Twitch stream, Brown detailed his falling out with Ab-Soul after discovering that the track included more artists than just the two of them. According to Brown, Ab-Soul subsequently removed Brown's verse from the 2016 song "Huey Knew" and replaced him with fellow American rapper Da$H. During the stream, Brown also revealed that he had not initially intended to feature anyone on the song: "'Really Doe' was a song that was done. It was never a posse cut," he said, explaining that Kendrick Lamar recorded on the track while Brown was out in Los Angeles working with TDE's MixedByAli. Brown originally had two verses on "Really Doe" and had wanted Lamar on a different track: "If you listen to that song ... I feel like he set up to body me. That's how I looked at it." He would go on and turn it into a posse cut including Earl Sweatshirt. Ab-Soul later expressed his displeasure in a tweet that read "Originally 'Really doe' was just me n Danny. Had I known we were having company I would've used a different cadence," referring to how he wrote his verse to complement Brown's own verse. [9]

Brown also detailed how he had trouble sequencing the verses on "Really Doe" after many of his friends and collaborators claimed Earl Sweatshirt's verse was "trash" in comparison to the others: "Everybody felt like Kendrick's verse should go last," he said. "You know me, I'm a battle rap fan. I'm a rapper fan ... Earl bodied all of us." [10]

Release and promotion

On September 19, 2016, Peter Rosenberg of New York City-based radio station Hot 97, premiered "Really Doe", after given permission from Danny Brown. [11] [12] "Really Doe" was later released as the album's third and final single via digital distribution on September 20. [13] [14] In an interview, Brown revealed that Kendrick Lamar was responsible for the creation of "Really Doe." [15] On November 1, 2016, a lyric video for "Really Doe" was released. It features clips of live performances from each artist while the lyrics scroll up the screen.

Critical reception

"Really Doe" received critical acclaim from contemporary music critics. The song was chosen upon release as Pitchfork's "Best New Track". Sheldon Pearce stated that, "They rip with reckless abandon. Though they each have their own particular methods—Danny bawls out quick-striking and unorthodox zingers, Ab-Soul imparts stoner wisdom through careful pronunciations, Kendrick winds knotty head-scratchers, and Earl packs dense wordplay in carefully unspooling schemes—they work well as a group, filling the crags of Milk's thwacking production with kinetic flows. "They say I got the city on fire," Kendrick crows on the hook—and honestly, that applies to pretty much everyone here." [16]

Track listing

"Really Doe"
ReallyDoeDannyBrown.jpg
Single by Danny Brown featuring Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Earl Sweatshirt
from the album Atrocity Exhibition
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2016
Genre Hip hop
Length5:19
Label Warp
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Black Milk
Danny Brown singles chronology
"Pneumonia"
(2016)
"Really Doe"
(2016)
"Ain't It Funny"
(2017)
Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
"Freedom"
(2016)
"Really Doe"
(2016)
"Don't Wanna Know"
(2016)
Digital download [17]
No.TitleLength
1."Really Doe" (featuring Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt)5:19

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesSeptember 19, 2016Radio premiereWarp [11] [12]
September 20, 2016 Digital download

[17]

Related Research Articles

<i>Control System</i> 2012 studio album by Ab-Soul

Control System is the second studio album by American rapper Ab-Soul. It was released on May 11, 2012, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from Jhené Aiko, Danny Brown, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, BJ the Chicago Kid, Kendrick Lamar, JaVonte, Punch, Ashtrobot and vocals from the late Alori Joh. The album's production was handled by Digi+Phonics, King Blue, Nez & Rio, Skhye Hutch, Curtiss King, Aahyasis, and Tommy Black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Rock</span> American rapper

Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr., better known by his stage name Jay Rock, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California. Rock signed with local independent label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005. He secured a major label joint venture deal with Warner Bros. Records and Asylum Records to release his 2008 debut single, "All My Life ". Failing to chart, the mergers fell through and Rock departed from both of the latter labels shortly after. He then signed with Missouri rapper Tech N9ne's label Strange Music in a joint venture deal with TDE in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Brown</span> American rapper (born 1981)

Daniel Dewan Sewell, better known as Danny Brown, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan. He was described by MTV in 2011 as "one of rap's most unique figures in recent memory".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Hippy</span> American hip hop supergroup from California

Black Hippy was an American hip hop supergroup from South Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008. The group consisted of West Coast rappers Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q. Black Hippy was constructed after all of its members had signed to Carson-based indie record label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ab-Soul</span> American rapper (born 1987)

Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, better known by his stage name Ab-Soul, is an American rapper. Raised in Carson, California, he signed to indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2007, where he eventually formed West Coast hip hop group Black Hippy, alongside fellow California-based rappers Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. He is perhaps most known for his introspective lyrics and his five independent albums under TDE, Longterm Mentality, Control System, These Days..., Do What Thou Wilt., and Herbert, which were all released to positive reviews and commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chum (song)</span> 2012 single by Earl Sweatshirt

"Chum" is a song by American rapper Earl Sweatshirt, released as the lead single of his 2013 debut album Doris.

"1 Train" is a song by American hip hop recording artist ASAP Rocky from his debut studio album, Long. Live. ASAP (2013). The song was produced by Hit-Boy, and features additional verses from fellow American rappers Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T. The song is a posse cut created to feel like an "original '90s underground track." Upon the release of the album, high downloads resulted in the song peaking at number three on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Brown discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

The discography of Danny Brown, an American hip hop recording artist, consists of six studio albums, four extended plays (EPs), nine mixtapes, twenty four singles, two promotional singles and 37 music videos.

Digi+Phonics is an American hip hop production team, composed of California-based record producers Tae Beast, Sounwave, Dave Free and Willie B. They currently serve as the main in-house producers for Carson-based record label, Top Dawg Entertainment. Digi+Phonics work significantly on projects from all the members of hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, who are also signed to Top Dawg and is composed of rappers Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul. Their best known productions include "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick Lamar, "There He Go" by Schoolboy Q, and "Terrorist Threats" by Ab-Soul. They frequently co-produce songs together and put the finishing touches on the projects released by Top Dawg Entertainment.

"Control" is a song by American rapper Big Sean, featuring American rappers Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica. It entered US mainstream urban radio on August 14, 2013, via GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings, as a promotional single originally meant for Big Sean's second studio album Hall of Fame (2013), but was ultimately cut from that album due to sample clearance issues.

"The Language" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same (2013). "The Language" was produced by frequent collaborator Boi-1da, along with additional production by Allen Ritter and Vinylz. It also features an outro from Cash Money Records founder Birdman. The song was serviced to mainstream urban radio on October 29, 2013, as the fourth single from the album in the US and has peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<i>These Days...</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Ab-Soul

These Days... is the third studio album by American rapper Ab-Soul. It was released on June 24, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The record serves as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed Control System (2012). The album features guest appearances from Black Hippy affiliates Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock; as well as Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, Action Bronson and Mac Miller, whose in-house studio is where Ab-Soul recorded the majority of the record, among others.

<i>To Pimp a Butterfly</i> 2015 studio album by Kendrick Lamar

To Pimp a Butterfly is the third studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 15, 2015, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album was recorded in studios throughout the United States, with production from Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Taz "Tisa" Arnold, Thundercat, Rahki, LoveDragon, Flying Lotus, Pharrell Williams, Boi-1da, Knxwledge, and several other high-profile hip hop producers, as well as executive production from Dr. Dre and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. Guest appearances include Thundercat, George Clinton, Bilal, Anna Wise, Snoop Dogg, James Fauntleroy, Ronald Isley, and Rapsody.

"Never Catch Me" is a song by American music producer Flying Lotus from his fifth studio album You're Dead! (2014). The song features vocals from American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. "Never Catch Me" received a nomination for Best Dance Recording at the 58th Grammy Awards.

<i>90059</i> 2015 studio album by Jay Rock

90059 is the second studio album by American rapper Jay Rock. It was released on September 11, 2015, on Apple Music and the iTunes Store; the physical editions were released on September 18, 2015, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from Rock's TDE label-mates Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy, Isaiah Rashad, SZA, SiR and introduces Lance Skiiiwalker, Chicago singer-producer who in 2016 would be named as a new TDE signee as well as Busta Rhymes and Macy Gray.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Blacker the Berry (song)</span> 2015 single by Kendrick Lamar

"The Blacker the Berry" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was included as the thirteenth song on the track-listing of his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). "The Blacker the Berry" was released as the second single from the album on February 9, 2015. The song shares its title with the novel The Blacker the Berry by American author Wallace Thurman. The track was produced by Boi-1da, Terrace Martin, and KOZ. It has a chorus that features uncredited vocals from Jamaican artist Assassin. The album version also contains additional vocals provided by neo soul singer Lalah Hathaway. Upon its release, "The Blacker the Berry'" received rave reviews from contemporary music critics. However, it also elicited controversy due to Kendrick Lamar's commentary on the death of Trayvon Martin. In the United States, it peaked at number sixty-six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single has since been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More Parties in LA</span> 2016 promotional single by Kanye West featuring Kendrick Lamar

"No More Parties in LA" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016), featuring vocals from fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was produced by West and Madlib, who began the recording in 2010. The beat was originally offered to Freddie Gibbs before being given to West and Lamar by Madlib. The song was released as the third promotional single from the album as part of West's GOOD Fridays series on January 18, 2016.

Derrick Hutchins, Jr., better known as his stage name Skhye Hutch, is an American hip hop record producer from Los Angeles, California. The two-time Grammy nominee attended Pacific Palisades High School and graduated from the Musicians Institution in 2004.

<i>Atrocity Exhibition</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Danny Brown

Atrocity Exhibition is the fourth studio album by American rapper Danny Brown. It was released on September 27, 2016, by Fool's Gold Records and Warp Records. It is primarily produced by English producer Paul White, and features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Earl Sweatshirt, B-Real, Kelela, and Petite Noir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Heart Part 4</span> 2017 promotional single by Kendrick Lamar

"The Heart Part 4" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 23, 2017, by Top Dawg Entertainment. The track features uncredited vocals from American singer Khalid. The song contains samples from "Don't Tell a Lie about Me and I Won't Tell the Truth on You" by James Brown and "I Love You" by Faith Evans.

References

  1. Geslani, Michelle (2016-09-19). "Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, and Ab-Soul team on "Really Doe" — listen". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  2. Reed, Ryan (2016-09-19). "Hear Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar on Gritty New Song 'Really Doe'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  3. McCormick, Luke (2016-09-19). "Listen To Danny Brown's "Really Doe," Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, And Earl Sweatshirt". The Fader . Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  4. Stutz, Colin (2016-09-19). "Danny Brown Drops Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt & Ab Soul Collab 'Really Doe': Listen". Billboard . Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  5. Breihan, Tom (2016-09-19). "Danny Brown – "Really Doe" (Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, & Ab-Soul)". Stereogum . Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  6. Yoo, Noah (2016-09-19). "Hear Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, and Ab-Soul on New Song "Really Doe"". Pitchfork . Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  7. Hooton, Christopher (2016-09-19). "Listen to Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt and Ab Soul all on one track, 'Really Doe'". The Independent . Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  8. P, Mr. (19 September 2016). "Danny Brown - "Really Doe" (ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Earl Sweatshirt)". Tiny Mix Tapes . Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  9. "Danny Brown Says Drama over "Really Doe" Made Ab-Soul Remove Him from "Huey Knew Then"".
  10. "Danny Brown on Why He Felt Kendrick Lamar 'Set up to Body Me' on Early Version of "Really Doe"". Complex Networks .
  11. 1 2 "Hear Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, and Ab-Soul on New Song "Really Doe"". Pitchfork. 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  12. 1 2 SPIN (2016-09-19). "Danny Brown Unleashes New Song "Really Doe" Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Earl Sweatshirt, Ab-Soul". SPIN. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  13. "Really Doe (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt) - Single by Danny Brown on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  14. Reed, Ryan (2016-09-19). "Hear Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar on Gritty New 'Really Doe'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  15. "Kendrick Lamar Created Danny Brown's "Really Doe" Single - DJBooth Article" . Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  16. Pearce, Sheldon (20 September 2016). ""Really Doe" [ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Earl Sweatshirt] by Danny Brown Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Really Doe by Danny Brown on Apple Music". iTunes . Retrieved September 19, 2016.