Ghostface Killers

Last updated
"Ghostface Killers"
Song by 21 Savage, Offset and Metro Boomin featuring Travis Scott
from the album Without Warning
ReleasedOctober 31, 2017
Length4:28
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Metro Boomin

"Ghostface Killers" is a song by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage, American rapper Offset, and American record producer Metro Boomin featuring fellow American rapper Travis Scott. It was released on October 31, 2017 as the opening track from the former three's collaborative studio album Without Warning . The title is a reference to Ghostface Killah of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan.

Contents

Composition

Over a "sinister" beat, the song begins with Offset rapping in the chorus and first verse about his diamond jewelry and having shooters by his side, while switching his flow and using his signature triplet rhyme scheme. [1] In the second verse, 21 Savage immediately compares himself to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a joke, while rapping about how he is still hanging out with the "killers" and "gorillas" with guns. [1] [2] The third verse finds Travis Scott in Auto-Tune laced vocals, referencing his drug use and being a "Nike" boy. [1]

Gary Suarez of Consequence Of Sound wrote, "While less overtly villainous than his deadpan cohort, Offset lets Savage’s sinister sensibilities rub off on him at times, particularly on opener 'Ghostface Killers'." [3]

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews. Marshall Gu of Pretty Much Amazing wrote in a review of Without Warning, "And the best song comes early in 'Ghostface Killers', with an excellent rapped chorus from Offset that's been running through my head since the tape dropped and Travis Scott sounding excellent as always even if he doesn't say much anything at all." [4] Trent Clark of HipHopDX also considered "Ghostface Killers" the best track from Without Warning, adding that "The Travis Scott inclusion is an obvious draw but when you have a bridge, a chorus and layered instrumentation, it's not a coincidence the song quality can raise above mixtape level." [5]

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [6] 69
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [7] 14
Denmark (Tracklisten) [8] 37
Germany (Official German Charts) [9] 94
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [10] 95
Portugal (AFP) [11] 81
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [12] 76
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [13] 40
UK Singles (OCC) [14] 60
US Billboard Hot 100 [15] 35
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [16] 14

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [17] Gold35,000
Canada (Music Canada) [18] Platinum80,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [19] Gold45,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [20] Silver200,000
United States (RIAA) [21] Platinum1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known professionally as 21 Savage, is a British rapper currently based in the United States. Born in London and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he began his recording career in 2013 and released three independent mixtapes to regional acclaim. His breakout project—the collaborative extended play (EP) with record producer Metro Boomin titled Savage Mode (2016)—peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200. Its lead singles, "X" and "No Heart" both peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Later that year, he saw further recognition for his guest appearance on Drake's single "Sneakin'". He then signed a recording contract with Epic Records in January 2017.

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<i>Without Warning</i> (album) 2017 studio album by 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ric Flair Drip</span> 2017 single by Offset and Metro Boomin

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<i>Double or Nothing</i> (Big Sean and Metro Boomin album) 2017 studio album by Big Sean and Metro Boomin

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"Niagara Falls " is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin, American rapper Travis Scott, and British-American rapper 21 Savage, from Metro's second studio album Heroes & Villains (2022). It was written by the artists alongside Allen Ritter, My Best Friend Jacob, and Peter Lee Johnson, the latter three producing it with Metro.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Goddard, Kevin (October 31, 2017). "21 Savage & Offset Call On Travis Scott For New Metro Boomin-Produced Intro "Ghostface Killers"". HotNewHipHop . Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  2. Bromfield, Daniel (November 6, 2017). "Savage/Offset/Metro Boomin: Without Warning". Spectrum Culture. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  3. Suarez, Gary (November 6, 2017). "21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin – Without Warning". Consequence . Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  4. Gu, Marshall (November 15, 2017). "Reviews: Metro Boomin". Pretty Much Amazing. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  5. Clark, Trent (November 7, 2017). "21 Savage, Offset, & Metro Boomin Without Warning Album Review". HipHopDX . Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  6. "ARIA Chart Watch #448". auspOp. November 11, 2017. Archived from the original on November 11, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
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  14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
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  19. "Danish single certifications – 21 Savage, Offset & Metro Boomin – Ghostface Killers". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved April 8, 2023.
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  21. "American single certifications – 21 Savage – Ghostface Killers". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 14, 2023.