Friends with Benefits (song)

"Friends with Benefits" was written, recorded and produced during a recording studio session in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in February 2016, as documented in KSI's vlog titled "Amsterdam Music Trip", released to YouTube on 27 February 2016.[1]

"Friends with Benefits" is a hip hop track, with elements of electronic music. Constructed in verse–chorus form, the song runs for 2 minutes and 46 seconds (2:46). The song's lyrics are about engaging in a no-strings-attached relationship.[2] The song has been dubbed a "Netflix anthem" due to its use of the term "Netflix and chill"[3] ‒ a slang euphemism for engagement in casual sex.[4]

On 18 July 2016, KSI shared the song's title, cover art and release date via his social media pages.[5][6] "Friends with Benefits" was released for digital download and streaming on 29 July 2016 at 00:00 (UTC) by Island Records and Universal as the second single from KSI's second extended play (EP), Jump Around (2016).[7]

In the United Kingdom, "Friends with Benefits" debuted at number 69 on the UK Singles Chart.[8] The song dropped to number 78 the following week, before dropping out of the chart.[8] "Friends with Benefits" debuted at number 12 on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart and spent seven weeks on the chart.[9]

The music video for "Friends with Benefits" was directed by Harrison Boyce.[2] The music video was filmed in Los Angeles, United States. The music video was released to KSI's YouTube channel one week after the release of the song on 5 August 2016.[10]

The music video opens with KSI and several of his Laid in America co-stars, including Caspar Lee, Alex Wassabi and Gerry Bednob, exiting a limousine upon arrival at a premiere of their film, before walking down a red carpet.[11] The rest of the music video stars KSI alongside American model Jena Frumes, who plays the role of his no-strings-attached ladyfriend, dressing up as various characters to illustrate some choice lyrics from the song.[2] Scenes include the pair dressing up as penguins, a bride and a groom, and a pimp and his girl, as well as KSI dressing up as an old man, Tony Montana from Scarface, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix and Kendrick Lamar.[2][12] At the end of the video, there is a 15 seconds-long snippet of the music video for KSI's upcoming single "Jump Around", featuring American rapper Waka Flocka Flame, which was later released on 3 October 2016.[13]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[14]

• KSI – songwriter, vocals
• MNDM – producers
• Sway – producer, songwriter
• DJ Turkish – producer, songwriter, mixer, masterer
• Faried Jhauw – producer, songwriter, drums, recording engineer
• Charlie Cook – additional producer, songwriter
• Kris Coutinho – songwriter, drums, recording engineer
• Rutti Cruise – recording engineer
• Denise Kroes – additional vocals
• Gia Re Lodge-O'Meally – additional vocals