Killa Killa

"Killa Killa" (stylised as "Thrilla Thrilla" on the clean version) is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI from his debut studio album, Dissimulation (2020). The song features a guest appearance from British-American singer Aiyana-Lee. It was produced by Diego Ave and Yoshi. The song was released for digital download and streaming on 22 May 2020 by RBC Records and BMG. It was later released as the album's fifth single on 17 July 2020. It is an upbeat hip hop track with Caribbean and afrobeat influences. The song's lyrics are about how KSI is succeeding at his YouTube, music and boxing careers and how he is not be messed with.

For the similarly named Danganronpa manga series, see Killer Killer.

"Killa Killa"
Single by KSI featuring Aiyana-Lee
from the album Dissimulation
Released17 July 2020 (2020-07-17)
GenreHip hop
Length2:31
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Diego Ave
  • Yoshi
KSI singles chronology
"Houdini"
(2020)		 "Killa Killa"
(2020)		 "Lighter"
(2020)
Aiyana-Lee singles chronology
"Killa Killa"
(2020)		 "Inside My Sin"
(2020)
Music video
"Killa Killa" on YouTube

"Killa Killa" received positive reviews from music critics, who commonly praised Aiyana-Lee's catchy chorus and KSI's playful and confident verses. The song charted at number 27 in the United Kingdom and number 33 in Ireland. An accompanying music video was released on 17 July 2020. The video stars the two artists as criminals who commit a heist.

Music and lyrics

Musically, "Killa Killa" is an upbeat hip hop track with Caribbean and afrobeat influences.[1][2][3] Constructed in verse–chorus form, the song runs for 2 minutes and 31 seconds (2:31). The song's lyrics are about how KSI is killing the game in more ways than one and when he puts his mind to something, he normally succeeds. This song is a reminder that KSI quickly evolved from a YouTube sensation, to a boxing champion, to a bonafide, respected music artist.[4] Speaking about the song's lyrics, KSI explained, "This track is straight KSI! I'm like, 'Yo, I'm here killing everything that I'm doing. I'm killing music, boxing, YouTube. I'm killing all of that.' It's a track to show that I'm not to be messed with."[5]

Release and promotion

"Killa Killa" was released for digital download and streaming as the eighth track on KSI's debut studio album, Dissimulation, on 22 May 2020 at 00:00 (UTC) by RBC Records and BMG.[6] A lyric video for "Killa Killa", created by JustAGhost, was released to KSI's YouTube channel on 3 July 2020.[7][8] "Killa Killa" was released as the album's sixth single on 17 July 2020.[9] The single's cover art depicts KSI and Aiyana-Lee as cartoon characters, dressed in black clothing, in front of a black and red background.[10]

Critical reception

"Killa Killa" was met with positive reviews from music critics. In her review of Dissimulation for The Guardian, Kitty Empire called "Killa Killa" a "hit-in-waiting".[2] GRM Daily's Courtney Wynter called "Killa Killa" an "upbeat track with a fun energy". Wynter continued, "KSI creates a playful vibe, flexing during his verses, while Aiyana-Lee delivers a catchy chorus."[1] Sarah Akomanyi of Link Up TV said, "KSI’s confidence is hard to miss through [the song], which makes for clear and consistent verses." Akomanyi proclaimed, "A track like this is bound to go off when it comes to live shows."[7]

Music video

The music video for "Killa Killa" was co-directed by Troy Roscoe and Nayip Ramos.[1] The music video premiered on KSI's YouTube channel on 17 July 2020 at 15:00 (UTC).[10][11][12] The video stars KSI and Aiyana-Lee as a pair of criminals who commit a heist.[1] The video's plot continues in the music video for KSI's song "Domain", later released on 25 December 2020.[13]

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom, "Killa Killa" debuted at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart, with first week sales of 15,853 track-equivalent units.[14][15] The song spent the next three weeks on the chart at positions 80, 89 and 82, before dropping out of the chart.[15] Three weeks later, the song re-entered the chart at number 79 following the release of the song's lyric video, before dropping out, and then re-entering again the following week at number 64 following the release of the song's music video.[15] "Killa Killa" debuted at number 15 on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart and number 5 on the UK Independent Singles Chart.[16][17] In Ireland, "Killa Killa" debuted at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart and spent two weeks on the chart.[18][19]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[20]

  • KSI – songwriter, vocals
  • Aiyana-Lee – vocals
  • Diego Ave – producer, songwriter
  • Yoshi – producer, songwriter
  • Tiina Vainikainen – songwriter
  • William Rappaport – songwriter
  • Michalis Michael – mixer
  • Henkka Niemistö – masterer

Charts
Chart performance for "Killa Killa"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[21] 33
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 12
UK Singles (OCC)[23] 27
UK R&B (OCC)[16] 15
UK Indie (OCC)[17] 5

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Killa Killa"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 22 May 2020
[24]
United Kingdom 17 July 2020 Adult contemporary radio [25]

References
  1. Wynter, Courtney (17 July 2020). "KSI Gives Visual Treatment To 'Killa Killa' Featuring Aiyana-Lee". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  2. Empire, Kitty (24 May 2020). "KSI: Dissimulation review – a pugnacious debut". The Guardian. ISSN 0029-7712. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  3. Britton, Luke Morgan (1 June 2020). "KSI: 'A YouTuber doing music leaves a sour taste in people's mouths. They despise it'". NME. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  4. "KSI To Release Debut Album 'Dissimulation' on May 22nd". EIN News. 4 May 2020. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  5. "Dissimulation by KSI / Editors' notes". Apple Music. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  6. "KSI Releases Debut Album (Dissimulation) And New Music Video 'Cap' Featuring Offset". EIN News. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  7. Akomanyi, Sarah (4 July 2020). "KSI Drops Lyric Video For 'Killa Killa'". Link Up TV. Archived from the original on 22 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  8. "KSI – Killa Killa (feat. Aiyana-Lee) [Official Lyric Video]". 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  9. Silverman, Rose (17 July 2020). "KSI: 'I don't rap about killing people or doing drugs – I'm clean and work hard'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  10. "KSI Releases Visual For 'Killa Killa' Featuring Aiyana-Lee". EIN News. 17 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  11. Rashed, Ayana (19 July 2020). "KSI Releases Visual For 'Killa Killa' Featuring Aiyana Lee". Respect. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  12. "KSI – Killa Killa [Thrilla Thrilla] feat. Aiyana-Lee Official Music Video". 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  13. Wynter, Courtney (25 December 2020). "KSI Releases Action-Packed 'Domain' Visuals". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 25 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  14. Paine, Andre (29 May 2020). "Inside the big chart battle between The 1975 and KSI". Music Week. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  15. "KSI | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  16. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  17. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  18. "Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande claim Number 1 on Official Irish Singles Chart, score biggest opening week of 2020 with Rain On Me". Official Charts Company. 29 May 2020. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  19. "Irish-charts.com – Discography KSI". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  20. "KSI / Dissimulation / Credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  21. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  22. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  23. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  24. "KSI Releases Debut Album (Dissimulation) And New Music Video "Cap" Featuring Offset". EIN News. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  25. "Capital XTRA Playlist". Capital XTRA. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
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