Squabble Up

Last updated

"Squabble Up"
Single by Kendrick Lamar
from the album GNX
ReleasedNovember 26, 2024 (2024-11-26)
Genre
Length2:37
Label
Songwriter(s) Kendrick Duckworth
Producer(s)
Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
"Not Like Us"
(2024)		"Squabble Up"
(2024)		"Luther"
(2024)
Music video
"Squabble Up" on YouTube

"Squabble Up" (stylized in lowercase) is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar from his sixth studio album, GNX , released by pgLang and Interscope Records on November 26, 2024 as the lead single from the album. Initially teased in the music video for Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us", released on July 4, 2024, a 15-second snippet of the song appeared as Lamar walked through a dark hallway. Lamar produced the song with Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, and Bridgeway, with additional production by M-Tech. The track gained additional attention after being featured in promotional material for Mercedes AMG's Formula One campaign and during an NBA broadcast, eventually going viral on TikTok.

Contents

"Squabble Up" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song for its layered production and homage to various musical styles. The West Coast hip hop track samples Debbie Deb's 1984 freestyle hit "When I Hear Music" and blends G-funk and hyphy with mariachi influences. The song debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was accompanied by a music video, released on November 25, 2024, it was sent to rhythmic crossover radio the following day on November 26, 2024 as a single. [1]

Background and promotion

On July 4, 2024, Lamar released the music video of his diss track aimed at Canadian rapper Drake, titled "Not Like Us". He started out the video by adding a 15-second snippet of a then-untitled song, [2] as he makes his way down a dark hallway. [3] Due to the usage of the word, the song became subsequently known as "Broccoli" or "Broccoli (Reincarnated)". [4] [5] [6] On October 13, the Formula One team of Mercedes AMG used the song to promote the forthcoming racing season. Only ten days later, the song was played during an NBA broadcast of a Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves game. All instances prompted the song to go viral on TikTok with fans asking for it to be released soon. [5] The track was eventually released as the second track of Lamar's surprise-release sixth studio album GNX on November 22, 2024. [7]

Composition

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Squabble Up"
The first 24 seconds sample of "Squabble Up" that showcases the hyphy-style beat along with lyrics of growth and renewal.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Pitchfork commented that "Squabble Up" borrows a "funky bassline" from the 1984 "classic '80s techno" freestyle song "When I Hear Music" by American singer-songwriter Debbie Deb. [4] It sees the rapper channeling "elements of his California rap heritage", fusing "G-funk, hyphy, and even mariachi". His vocal performance includes using "myriad voices, octave changes, and shrieks". [8] Lamar accuses other rappers of being fake without name-dropping any artist in particular. [7] It observes themes of personal evolution, criticism from within the music industry as well as cultural commentary. In reference to his admiration for his work, Lamar mentions saxophonist Kamasi Washington, whom he collaborated with for GNX as well as To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). [9]

Critical reception

In a track review for Pitchfork , Matthew Ritchie praised Lamar for turning the sample into a "'90s club hit" and thought his "lyrical hatred" on the track was "far-reaching", making for a "fun" listen. [8] Zachary Horvath of HotNewHipHop argued that "Squabble Up" possesses "the most mainstream appeal" out of all the songs on the album and noted the use of "great wordplay, slick flows, and some great personality". [10]

Music video

A screenshot from the music video Kendrick Lamar Squabble Up music video screenshot.jpg
A screenshot from the music video

A music video directed by Calmatic, was released on November 25, 2024. The set and cinematography pays homage to the music video of "The Next Movement", from the Roots' album Things Fall Apart (1999). It contains multiple symbolism and Easter eggs, while also celebrates and pays homage to both the culture and music of California, the West Coast hip hop, the G-funk, the hyphy music, and the Chicano rap, the African-American culture, the Californios and the Chicano movement, through multiple references, such as the African-American Flag, the Black Panther Party, the Compton Christmas Parade, the late rappers Nate Dogg and Mac Dre, the TV show Soul Train (1971–2006), the film Menace II Society (1993), the album covers of Isaac Hayes' album Black Moses (1971), Ice-T's album Power (1988) and E-40's album In a Major Way (1995), the "Jesus Saves Gangsters Too!" initiative by the Gangster Ministries movement, recognizing their work in the Crenshaw District in South Central, and their involvement against community violence and their fight for social justice, and, as well as a custom lowrider of the limited-production Buick Grand National Experimental (GNX) and people riding scraper bikes, among many other elements featured throughout the music video. Lamar appears rapping the song and dances to it, at one point he sits reading a book with the title, "How to Be More Like Kendrick for Dummies", and he re-enacts visiting a memorial of an unknown deceased. [11]

It also features choreographed dance numbers by Charm La'Donna, and cameo appearances from artist Taz "Tisa" Arnold (who previously collaborated with Lamar on his 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly ) of the music group Sa-Ra Creative Partners from Los Angeles, as well as various artists who previously performed at Lamar's concert The Pop Out: Ken & Friends during the first set by DJ Hed, titled the Act I – DJ Hed & Friends, including RJMrLA, G Perico and Cuzzos. [12] [13]

Charts

Chart performance for "Squabble Up"
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [14] 9
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA) [15] 2
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [16] 3
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [17] 93
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [18] 46
France (SNEP) [19] 53
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [20] 3
Ireland (IRMA) [21] 3
Italy (FIMI) [22] 63
Latvia (LaIPA) [23] 2
Lithuania (AGATA) [24] 7
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [25] 19
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [26] 16
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [27] 4
Norway (VG-lista) [28] 25
Singapore (RIAS) [29] 30
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [30] 53
South Africa ( Billboard ) [31] 4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [32] 26
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [33] 17
UK Singles (OCC) [34] 4
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [35] 1
US Billboard Hot 100 [36] 1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [37] 1
US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [38] 29

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Squabble Up"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesNovember 26, 2024 Rhythmic crossover [39]

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References

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  2. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (July 5, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Went Ahead And Shared Part Of A New Song In His "Not Like Us" Video". Uproxx . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  3. ↑ Cho, Regina (July 5, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Shares Snippet Of Unreleased Song In "Not Like Us" Music Video". Vibe . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Saponara, Michael (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Returns With Surprise Drop of New Album GNX: Listen". Billboard Canada . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Coleman II., C. Vernon (October 24, 2024). "5 signs that Kendrick Lamar might be dropping his viral unreleased track soon". XXL . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  6. ↑ "How "Broccoli (Reincarnated) *snippet" by Kendrick Lamar was made". Im A Music Mogul®. July 19, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
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  8. 1 2 Ritchie, Matthew (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar: "Squabble Up" Track Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar "Squabble Up" Lyrics Explained". Royalty Exchange . November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  10. ↑ Horvath, Zachary (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Is Ready To "Squabble Up" On GNX Cut". HotNewHipHop . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  11. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (November 25, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar References Ice-T, 'Menace II Society' and Nate Dogg in 'Squabble Up' Music Video". Variety. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  12. ↑ Mier, Tomás (November 25, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Packs His 'Squabble Up' Video With West Coast References". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  13. ↑ Saponara, Michael (November 25, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Reps Compton & Says 'Jesus Saves Gangsters Too' in 'Squabble Up' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  14. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. December 2, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  15. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. December 2, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
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  35. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
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  37. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Crossover". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
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