"War" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by King Von | ||||
from the album What It Means to Be King | ||||
Released | March 2, 2022 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:40 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Chopsquad DJ | |||
King Von singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"King Von - War (Official Lyric Video)" on YouTube |
"War" is a posthumously released song by American rapper King Von, released on March 2, 2022, through Only the Family and Empire Distribution, as the third single from his second studio album What It Means to Be King (2022). The song was produced by Chopsquad DJ.
King Von previewed the song in 2020 on Instagram Live, before his passing later that year. The song gained traction via the social platform TikTok as well. [2] It was posthumously released on March 2, 2022. [1] [3]
"War" is the third single revealed from What It Means To Be King , following the 21 Savage-assisted track "Don't Play That", which debuted in February 2022. The release of "War" came just days after Von’s estate shared the album’s cover art, which features Von’s intense gaze and handwritten title, reminiscent of the aesthetic used for his debut album Welcome to O'Block .[ citation needed ]
"War" is a hard-hitting, street-oriented track that showcases King Von's signature raw and menacing storytelling. Produced by Chopsquad DJ, the song delivers a dark, ominous beat layered with a piano and led with 808s that matches with Von’s vivid tales of street life and with his emotional delivery and powerful lyricism. [4] In the lyrics, Von reflects on the violence he has faced and the choices he has made to protect himself. The chorus captures the grim realities of his upbringing: "War outside, niggas couldn’t even eat / I was 16 with a Carbon 15 / Motherfuckers gotta die and it ain’t gon’ be me." Von's delivery remains defiant as he recounts his experiences, likening his bullets to a fast Bugatti and referencing WWE wrestler Scotty 2 Hotty to emphasize the intensity of his violent encounters. The track also touches on Von's inner conflict, as he oscillates between glorifying violence and recognizing its toll on his life and psyche. [1] [2] [4] [5]
The release of "War" has been met with widespread acclaim, also confirmed by the fact that it reached the position number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 195 on the Billboard Global 200. [6] [7] Jon Powell of Revolt praised the track for its "no-frills, street-oriented subject matter" and the chilling way in which Von’s storytelling remains as potent as ever. Michael Saponara from HipHopDX emphasized the song's menacing tone and praised its vivid imagery, noting that Von's lyricism is filled with "sinister, yet introspective bars" that leave a lasting impact. [2] Mackenzie Cummings-Grady of Complex similarly highlighted the track's powerful and haunting nature, calling it a grim anthem for the late rapper’s fans and a continuation of his cemented reputation in the drill scene. [1]
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [8] | 195 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [9] | 73 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [10] | 23 |
Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known professionally as YoungBoy Never Broke Again or NBA YoungBoy, is an American rapper. From 2015 to 2017, he released eight independent mixtapes and garnered a regional following for his work. He signed with Atlantic Records and Artist Partner Group in the latter year to release the singles "Untouchable" and "No Smoke", both of which marked his first entries on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in January of the following year, his single "Outside Today" became his first to peak within the top 40 of the chart, and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It served as both his mainstream breakthrough and the lead single for his debut studio album, Until Death Call My Name (2018), which peaked at number seven on the US Billboard 200 despite mixed critical reception.
Michael Lamar White IV, known professionally as Trippie Redd, is an American rapper and singer. His debut mixtape, A Love Letter to You (2017) was released by Elliot Grainge's 10K Projects and entered the Billboard 200, while its lead single, "Love Scars" received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The following year, he released his debut studio album Life's a Trip (2018) and the mixtape's sequel; their singles, "Dark Knight Dummo", "Taking a Walk", and "Topanga" each entered the Billboard Hot 100. The album and its follow-up, ! (2019) both reached the top five of the Billboard 200, while his fourth mixtape, A Love Letter to You 4 (2019) topped the chart. His third and fourth albums Pegasus (2020) and Trip at Knight (2021), both peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. The latter's lead single, "Miss the Rage", peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song. White's fifth album, Mansion Musik (2023), peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, while his sixth mixtape, A Love Letter to You 5 (2024), peaked at number 13.
"Baby" is a song released by American record label Quality Control, performed by American rappers Lil Baby and DaBaby. The song was released through Quality Control Music, Motown, and Universal Music Group (UMG). It was produced by Wheezy and released on July 17, 2019, as a single off of QC's second studio album, Control the Streets, Volume 2 (2019). The song received acclaim from critics, with particular praise for DaBaby's verse. The song's official video features Lil Baby and DaBaby portraying characters from the movie Scarface.
Dayvon Daquan Bennett, known professionally as King Von, was an American rapper and gangster from Chicago, Illinois, who was affiliated with the Black Disciples gang. He was considered a preeminent figure in the drill genre.
Dion Marquise Hayes, known professionally as 42 Dugg, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He signed with Yo Gotti and Lil Baby's respective labels, Collective Music Group (CMG) and Glass Window Entertainment, through a joint venture with Interscope Records in 2019. He is best known for his collaborations with the latter, with whom he has released the hit songs "We Paid" and "Grace"; the former peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and received quintuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second mixtape, Young & Turnt 2 (2020) was met with critical acclaim and marked his debut on the Billboard 200. His 2021 singles, "4 Da Gang" and "Maybach" both received gold certifications and preceded his fourth mixtape Free Dem Boyz (2021), which peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200.
Fighting Demons is the fourth studio album by American rapper Juice Wrld. It was posthumously released by Grade A Productions and Interscope Records on December 10, 2021. The album features guest appearances from Justin Bieber, Polo G, Trippie Redd, and Suga of BTS. It serves as a tie-in for an HBO-produced documentary titled Juice Wrld: Into the Abyss, released on December 16, 2021.
Welcome to O'Block is the debut studio album by American rapper King Von, and the only one to be released during his lifetime. It was released on October 30, 2020 by Only the Family and Empire Distribution. Welcome to O'Block was released a week prior to King Von's murder on November 6, 2020, after the album's official release party. The project features chief production from Chopsquad DJ, and other producers including Hitmaka, Tay Keith and Wheezy; guest appearances include Polo G, Lil Durk, Dreezy, Moneybagg Yo, Fivio Foreign and Prince Dre.
"All These Niggas" is a song by American rapper King Von featuring American rapper Lil Durk. It was released on August 5, 2020 as the second single and ninth track from Von's debut studio album Welcome to O'Block (2020). The song was produced by Chopsquad DJ.
"Still Trappin'" is a song by American rappers Lil Durk and King Von. It was released on December 24, 2020, from the former's sixth studio album, The Voice. The song marks the sixth collaboration between the artists. Deemed a "menacing", "sinister" song, it finds the rappers detailing life in gangsterism.
Built for Whatever is the third studio album by American rapper Tee Grizzley. It was released through Atlantic Records and 300 Entertainment on May 7, 2021. The album features guest appearances from the late King Von, Quavo, Young Dolph, YNW Melly, Lil Durk, Lil Tjay, Grizzley's younger brother Baby Grizzley, G Herbo, Allstar Lee, Mu, and Big Sean. Production was handled by Chopsquad DJ, Hit-Boy, and Helluva.
"Mr. Jones" is a song by American rapper Pop Smoke featuring fellow American rapper Future from the former's second posthumous studio album, Faith (2021). It was released as the album's lead single the same day as the album's release. The song was written by the artists alongside producers CashMoneyAP, Foreign Teck, Los the Producer, and JW Lucas,. In the lyrics, Pop Smoke and Future rap about their lavish lifestyles.
Magic is the fourteenth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on December 24, 2021, through Mass Appeal Records. It serves as the third consecutive Nas album that is produced by Hit-Boy, following King's Disease and King's Disease II. The album features guest appearances from ASAP Rocky and DJ Premier.
What It Means to Be King is the second studio album by American rapper King Von. It was posthumously released through Empire Distribution and Only the Family on March 4, 2022. The album features guest appearances from G Herbo, 21 Savage, Fivio Foreign, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Durk, Tee Grizzley, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Dreezy, Boss Top, DqFrmDaO, and OMB Peezy. Production was handled by Chopsquad DJ, Hitmaka, Tee Romano, Kid Hazel, Touch of Trent, DJ Bandz, DJ FMCT, Glaazer, Diego Ave, Bankroll Got It, TM88, ATL Jacob, Geraldo Liive, CGM Beats, John Lam, and Raw Equity. The album marks Von's first posthumous project and serves as the follow-up to his previous album, Welcome to O'Block (2020).
"Don't Play That" is a song by American rapper King Von and British-American rapper 21 Savage. Written alongside producer Kid Hazel, it was released on February 4, 2022 through Only the Family and Empire Distribution as the second single from Von's second studio album, What It Means to Be King.
"Ahhh Ha" is a song by American rapper Lil Durk. It was released on February 22, 2022, as the third single from his seventh studio album, 7220. The song features subliminal disses towards rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who took shots at Durk's late Only the Family artist, King Von, on his single, "Bring the Hook", from his eighteenth mixtape, Colors (2022).
Better than You is a collaborative mixtape by American rappers DaBaby and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. It was released through record labels Atlantic Records, Interscope Records, South Coast Music Group, and Never Broke Again on March 4, 2022. The mixtape was supported by three singles: "Hit", "Neighborhood Superstar", and "Bestie". It includes production from Cardo, Johnny Juliano, Yung Exclusive, Cheese, BlakeSale, Leor, TnTXD, Ambezza, Uzoh, Kayothewizard, and Red Jon.
"True Love" is a song by American rappers Kanye West and XXXTentacion. The song, which is a posthumous release for the latter, was originally included on West's demo album, Donda 2 (2022). For its single version, it was trimmed down by a minute and released by Columbia Records on May 23, 2022 in promotion for XXXTentacion's posthumous compilation album, Look at Me: The Album—serving as its second single. A slow track that features synths, it finds West discussing his estrangement from his children, while XXXTentacion croons the hook. The song was written by its performers, while production was handled by West alongside Ojivolta, Mike Dean, and John Cunningham, each of whom are also credited as co-writers.
"Mad Max" is a song by American rapper Lil Durk and Future from American record label Only the Family and Durk's collaborative compilation album Loyal Bros 2 (2022). It was produced by HitmanAudio.
Grandson is the third studio album by American rapper King Von, and his second posthumous work, following the previous year's What It Means to Be King. It was released through labels Only the Family Entertainment/Empire on July 14, 2023. The production on the album was handled by various producers including ATL Jacob, Chopsquad DJ, David Morse, DJ Bandz, Ghostrage, IllaDaProducer, Mac Fly, Raw Equity, Scott Storch, Southside, Tahj Money, Twysted Genius, Wheezy; most of which had already collaborated with Bennett on previous albums. It features guest appearances from G Herbo, Polo G, Lil Durk, Tee Grizzley, BreezyLyn, Tink, 42 Dugg, Moneybagg Yo, and Hotboii.
"I Am What I Am" is a song by American rapper King Von featuring a guest appearance from New York rapper Fivio Foreign it is the fourth single extracted from his debut studio album Welcome to O'Block released in 2020. The song was released through OTF and Empire labels on October 9, 2020. It extablishes connection between the Chicago and New York drill worlds as never seen before