Self Care (song)

Last updated
"Self Care"
Single by Mac Miller
from the album Swimming
ReleasedJuly 13, 2018 (2018-07-13)
Recorded2017
Studio
Genre
Length5:45
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • DJ Dahi
  • ID Labs
  • Nostxlgic
  • Nice Rec (add.)
Mac Miller singles chronology
"Small Worlds"
(2018)		"Self Care"
(2018)		"What's the Use?"
(2018)
Music video
"Self Care" on YouTube

"Self Care" is a song recorded by American rapper Mac Miller for his fifth studio album Swimming (2018). It was written by Miller, Destin Route, Erica Wright, Jahmal Cantero, Devonte Hynes, and its producers Dacoury Natche, Eric Dan, Tyler Mason, and Peter Mudge. The track was released on July 13, 2018, as the second single from the album. Musically, "Self Care" is a two-part song, described as a "self-guided tour through [Miller's] personal rehabilitation" by Pitchfork 's Sheldon Pearce.

Contents

"Self Care" peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 after Miller's death in September 2018, becoming his highest-charting song as lead artist at the time. The song was certified triple platinum in the United States. Its music video, which references the film Kill Bill: Volume 2 , shows Miller escaping a coffin after being buried alive.

Background and composition

"Self Care" was released by Warner Bros. Records on July 13, 2018, as the second single from Mac Miller's fifth studio album Swimming . [1] It is a two-part song, split between "Self Care" and "Oblivion". [1] [2] The first part was written by Miller, Destin Route, Devonte Hynes, and its producers Dacourny "DJ Dahi" Natche and Peter "Nice Rec" Mudge; it also contains an excerpt from "On & On" by Erykah Badu, which was written by Badu and Jahmal Cantero. The second part was written by Miller and its producers Eric Dan, Tyler "Nostxlgic" Mason, and Mudge. [2] Each part was recorded separately in 2017, at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles and ID Labs in Pittsburgh, respectively. [2] [3]

"Self Care" contains elements of R&B, [4] space-funk [5] and cloud rap. [6] The song begins with "watercolor synth washes", [5] as Miller croons its affirming chorus. [4] Around halfway through, it abruptly switches to an "airy synth and glitchy" beat, [1] [5] turning its vibe "from claustrophobic to weightless." [7] Billboard 's Gil Kaufman said the song "chronicles an emotional spiral, with Mac spinning out into 'oblivion,' which sounds like exactly the place he wants to be." [4] Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork described it as a "breezy, self-guided tour through [Miller's] personal rehabilitation." [8]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Self Care" debuted at number 24 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100, [9] and peaked at number 5 on the chart dated August 18, 2018. [10] After Miller's death in September 2018, "Self Care" was propelled to number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100, surpassing "Loud" (2012; number 53) as his highest-charting song as lead artist at the time. [11] [12] It also reached his highest peak as lead artist in Australia at number 83 on the ARIA Charts, [13] in Canada at number 38 on the Canadian Hot 100, [14] and in the United Kingdom at number 61 on the UK Singles Chart. [15] His peaks set by "Self Care" were later surpassed by "Good News" in 2020. [12] [14] [15] [16] In September 2021, "Self Care" was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and streaming data in excess of three million units in the United States. [17]

Music video

A music video for "Self Care" was released on the same day as the song. Directed by Christian Weber, it begins with Miller buried alive inside a coffin. He raps his verses while smoking a cigarette, and carves " Memento mori " (Latin: "remember (that you have) to die") into the coffin using a pocket knife. After punching a hole into the coffin and emerging from the dirt, explosions send him flying. The video is an homage to a scene from the 2004 film Kill Bill: Volume 2 . [1] [4]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Swimming's liner notes and Tidal. [2] [18]

Charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [13] 83
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [14] 38
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [19] 5
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [20] 8
UK Singles (OCC) [21] 61
US Billboard Hot 100 [22] 33
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [23] 18
US Hot Rap Songs ( Billboard ) [24] 15

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Poland (ZPAV) [25] Platinum50,000‡
Portugal (AFP) [26] Gold5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [27] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [17] 5× Platinum5,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Best Day Ever</i> (mixtape) 2011 mixtape by Mac Miller

Best Day Ever is the fifth mixtape by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released by Rostrum Records on March 11, 2011, as the follow-up to Miller's acclaimed mixtape K.I.D.S. (2010). The mixtape consists of sixteen songs produced by nine producers, and includes features from rappers Wiz Khalifa and Phonte.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Trump (song)</span> 2011 song by American rapper Mac Miller

"Donald Trump" is a song by American rapper Mac Miller, released as the only single from his mixtape Best Day Ever (2011). The melody, which is played throughout the song, is sampled from "Vesuvius" by Sufjan Stevens. The song's music video was uploaded to YouTube on March 3, 2011, while the single was released digitally on May 17, 2011.

<i>Blue Slide Park</i> 2011 studio album by Mac Miller

Blue Slide Park is the debut studio album by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released on November 8, 2011, by Rostrum Records. The album is named after a section of Frick Park in Pittsburgh, near where Miller lived. Much of the production was handled by ID Labs, and the album has no guest appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Miller discography</span>

American rapper Mac Miller released six studio albums, two extended plays, two live albums, thirteen mixtapes, forty-four singles, and sixty-three music videos. After self-releasing several mixtapes, Miller signed with the independent record label Rostrum Records in 2010. He first charted with the release of his debut extended play On and On and Beyond in March 2011, entering the US Billboard 200 at number 55. His single "Donald Trump", from the 2011 mixtape Best Day Ever, became his first singles chart entry, peaking at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Miller</span> American rapper and record producer (1992–2018)

Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller, was an American rapper and record producer. Miller began his career in Pittsburgh's local hip hop scene in 2007, at the age of fifteen. In 2010, he signed a record deal with independent label Rostrum Records and released his breakthrough mixtapes K.I.D.S. (2010) and Best Day Ever (2011). Miller's debut studio album, Blue Slide Park (2011), became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US Billboard 200 since 1995.

<i>Macadelic</i> 2012 mixtape by Mac Miller

Macadelic is the seventh mixtape by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released online via free digital download on March 23, 2012. It includes the hit single "Loud". Miller went on The Macadelic Tour in support of the mixtape in early 2012, performing 18 shows in the United States and 3 in Europe. Since its release, it has been downloaded over 1.3 million times and streamed over 1.5 million times from its official host, DatPiff. Macadelic was remastered and commercially released on May 4, 2018.

<i>Watching Movies with the Sound Off</i> 2013 studio album by Mac Miller

Watching Movies with the Sound Off is the second studio album by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released June 18, 2013, by Rostrum Records. The album continued his changes in musical sound that began with the mixtape Macadelic. Miller described the album as very introspective and very personal. It features guest appearances from Earl Sweatshirt, Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, Schoolboy Q, and Tyler, the Creator, among others. Production was handled primarily by Miller himself among others such as Diplo, Tyler, the Creator, Flying Lotus, The Alchemist, Clams Casino, Earl Sweatshirt, J. Hill, Chuck Inglish, and Pharrell Williams.

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

American rapper Schoolboy Q has released five studio albums, two mixtapes, 30 singles, and 36 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way (Ariana Grande song)</span> 2013 single by Ariana Grande

"The Way" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande, featuring American rapper Mac Miller, from Grande's debut studio album Yours Truly (2013). The song was written by Amber Streeter, Al Sherrod Lambert, Jordin Sparks, Brenda Russell, Miller, and the producer Harmony Samuels. It was released by Republic Records on March 25, 2013, as the lead single from the album. The song samples Big Pun's 1998 song "Still Not a Player", which itself samples Russell's 1979 song "A Little Bit of Love".

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2018.

"Diplomatic Immunity" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on January 19, 2018, as the second track on his second EP, Scary Hours (2018). The song alongside "God's Plan", debuted in the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100, where they became Drake's 21st and 22nd top ten entries on the chart, making him the only artist in Billboard history at the time to debut two songs in the top ten at once twice, with "Diplomatic Immunity" debuting at number seven and "God's Plan" at number one. It also debuted at number six in Canada, and at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart on January 26, 2018.

<i>DiCaprio 2</i> 2018 studio album by JID

DiCaprio 2 is the second studio album by American rapper JID, hosted by DJ Drama. It was released on November 26, 2018, by Dreamville Records, Interscope Records and Spillage Village. The album serves as the follow-up to his debut album, The Never Story (2017), and a sequel to his extended play DiCaprio (2015). The album was supported by two singles: "151 Rum" and "Off Deez" with J. Cole.

<i>Swimming</i> (Mac Miller album) 2018 studio album by Mac Miller

Swimming is the fifth studio album by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released on August 3, 2018 by REMember Music and Warner Bros. Records. Miller produced the album himself, with Jon Brion, Dev Hynes, J. Cole, ID Labs, Dâm-Funk, DJ Dahi, Tae Beast, Flying Lotus, and Cardo, among others. The album has no credited features, but contains vocal contributions from Dâm-Funk, Dev Hynes, Snoop Dogg, Syd, Thundercat, and JID. Miller died on September 7, 2018, making Swimming his final album to be released during his lifetime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Brainer (song)</span> 2018 single by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo

"No Brainer" is a song by American musician DJ Khaled featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American rappers Chance the Rapper and Quavo. The song was released on July 27, 2018, by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records, the second single from Khaled's eleventh studio album, Father of Asahd (2019). It marks the second collaboration between the artists, following 2017's "I'm the One", from Khaled's tenth studio album Grateful. Khaled produced the song with DaviDior, Sir Nolan, Nic Nac and Poo Bear. The song peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Form (song)</span> 2018 single by Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Wayne

"Good Form" is a song by Trinidadian-born rapper and singer Nicki Minaj. The original mix debuted on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart at number nine following the release of her fourth studio album, Queen, on August 10, 2018. A remix to the song featuring American rapper Lil Wayne was released on November 29, 2018, as the fourth single from the album, where it peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Minaj and was produced by Mike Will Made It and Plush.

<i>Dying to Live</i> (Kodak Black album) 2018 studio album by Kodak Black

Dying to Live is the second studio album by American rapper Kodak Black. It was released on December 14, 2018, via Atlantic Records. It follows his Heart Break Kodak mixtape, released earlier in 2018, as well as his previous mixtape, Project Baby 2: All Grown Up, the deluxe edition of his mixtape Project Baby 2, released in 2017. The album features guest appearances from Lil Pump, Travis Scott, Offset and Juice Wrld.

<i>Circles</i> (Mac Miller album) 2020 studio album by Mac Miller

Circles is the sixth and final studio album by American rapper Mac Miller, released posthumously on January 17, 2020, through REMember Music and Warner Records. Circles was being worked on by Miller before his death in September 2018 and was created as a companion piece to his fifth studio album, Swimming (2018). Production was completed by Jon Brion.

Thomas MacDonald is a Canadian rapper, songwriter, and former professional wrestler. He first rose to prominence with the release of his song "Dear Rappers".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Gangsta</span> 2019 single by Kevin Gates

"Big Gangsta" is a song by American rapper Kevin Gates, released on April 20, 2019, as the lead single from his second EP Only the Generals Gon Understand (2019). It was produced by Canadian producer Felix Leone. The song was a sleeper hit, peaking at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 2021.

"Snitching" is a song by American rapper Pop Smoke featuring fellow American rappers Quavo of Migos and Future, from the former's posthumous debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (2020). The song was written by the artists alongside producers Buddah Bless and Seth the Chef,. Quavo was originally going to put the song on Migos' then-upcoming fourth studio album, Culture III. Before the song was created, it was inspired by fellow American rapper 6ix9ine.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Reed, Ryan (July 13, 2018). "Mac Miller Previews New LP 'Swimming' With Coffin-Escaping 'Self Care' Video". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Swimming (CD liner notes). Mac Miller. Warner Bros. Records. 2018. 90603-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    • Online version: "Swimming". Mac Miller. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Mac Miller 'Self Care' single not about split with Ariana". TMZ. July 13, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kaufman, Gil (July 13, 2018). "Mac Miller Buries His Feelings in a Coffin in Claustrophobic 'Self Care' Video: Watch". Billboard . Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 Garvey, Meaghan (August 2, 2018). "Mac Miller: Swimming review – maturing rapper in search for self-acceptance". The Guardian . Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  6. ↑ Yeung, Neil Z. "Swimming – Mac Miller". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  7. ↑ St. Félix, Doreen (September 9, 2018). "The Tragic Death of Mac Miller, a Musician Who Never Stopped Evolving". The New Yorker . Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  8. ↑ Pearce, Sheldon (July 13, 2018). ""Self Care" by Mac Miller review". Pitchfork . Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  9. ↑ Cantor, Brian (July 24, 2018). "Wiz Khalifa, Childish Gambino, Mitchell Tenpenny, More Score Debuts On Bubbling Under Hot 100". Headlineplanet.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Mac Miller: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  11. ↑ Zellner, Xander (September 18, 2018). "Mac Miller Charts Three Songs on Billboard Hot 100, Led by 'Self Care' in Top 40". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Mac Miller – Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  13. 1 2 "ARIA Chart Watch #490". auspOp. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  14. 1 2 3 "Mac Miller Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  15. 1 2 "Mac Miller". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  16. ↑ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 20, 2020. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  17. 1 2 "American single certifications – Mac Miller – Self Care". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Credits / Swimming / Mac Miller". Warner Bros. Records . Retrieved March 14, 2019– via Tidal.
  19. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 17, 2018. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 37, 2018" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Mac Miller Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Mac Miller Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Mac Miller Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  25. ↑ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 13, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Self Care in the search box.
  26. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Mac Miller – Self Care" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  27. ↑ "British single certifications – Mac Miller – Self Care". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 21, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.