Nobody Speak

"Nobody Speak" is a song by American hip hop producer DJ Shadow, featuring rap verses from American rap duo Run the Jewels. The song was first a part of Run the Jewels' Record Store Day release, which was a virtual reality cardboard viewer that included a digital download code for the song. It also acted as the lead single from Shadow's fifth studio album, The Mountain Will Fall (2016). A music video for the song was released on August 24, 2016.

"Nobody Speak"
Vinyl release cover art
Single by DJ Shadow featuring Run the Jewels
from the album The Mountain Will Fall
B-side"Instrumental and acapella versions"
ReleasedApril 16, 2016 (2016-04-16)
Recorded2015
GenreHip hop
Length3:16
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow singles chronology
"Ghost Town"
(2014)		 "Nobody Speak"
(2016)		 "Rocket Fuel"
(2019)
Run the Jewels singles chronology
"Rubble Kings (Dynamite on the Street)"
(2015)		 "Nobody Speak"
(2016)		 "Talk to Me"
(2016)
Music video
"Nobody Speak" on YouTube

Composition

"Nobody Speak" features rap verses from El-P and Killer Mike of rap duo Run the Jewels, who were credited as the song's writers alongside DJ Shadow. It contains a musical sample of "Ol' Man River" by Caterina Valente, and a lyrical sample from "Top Billin'" (from Audio Two's 1987 album What More Can I Say?).[1]

The instrumental features a funk-like bass and drum groove, brass horns, as well as guitar loops. Shadow chose El-P and Killer Mike as collaborators due to their vocal style fitting the song's instrumental the most.[2][3]

Release

"Nobody Speak" was first made available through the Run the Jewels Record Store Day release. It consisted of a special virtual reality cardboard viewer, which held a code that granted the purchaser to a free digital download of the song.[2] The song was eventually made available for a paid download through Mass Appeal Records.[4] The song was later released as a limited edition 12" vinyl single on August 24, 2016 through Mass Appeal and Liquid Amber.[5]

Music video

A music video for "Nobody Speak" was released on August 24, 2016. The video, which has been described as "brutal [and] politically charged",[6] features political representatives in a meeting. The leaders of the groups begin a rap battle against each other, which after around 90 seconds turns into an all-out brawl involving virtually everyone in the meeting room. The video finishes with one leader preparing to impale his counterpart with an American flag.[6][7]

The leaders of the groups are played by Igor Tsyshkevych and Ian Bailey.[7] Shadow commented on the video, saying that they wanted to make a "positive, life-affirming video that captures politicians at their election-year best. We got this instead."[8] Killer Mike also commented on the video, saying that "It's such a dope video ... it's what I really wish Trump and Hillary would just do and get it over with."[9]

The video was directed by Sam Pilling and features cameo appearances of Shadow, El-P, and Killer Mike.[10] It was filmed at the "Ukrainian Dim" (Ukrainian House) exhibition center in Kyiv, Ukraine.[11]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Nobody Speak" (featuring Run the Jewels)3:16
  • Mass Appeal / Liquid Amber — MSAP0036LP — 12" vinyl single[5]
Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Nobody Speak" (featuring Run the Jewels)3:16
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Nobody Speak" (Instrumental)3:16
2."Nobody Speak" (Acapella)3:16

Personnel

Personnel adapted from The Mountain Will Fall liner notes.[13]

  • Tim Burns – trombone
  • DJ Shadow – arrangement, composing, mixing, production, programming
  • El-P – composing, vocals
  • Mikael Eldridge – mixing
  • Killer Mike – composing, vocals
  • Graham Pike – trumpet
  • Jake Telford – baritone and tenor saxophone

Charts
Chart (2016–2017) Peak
position
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[14] 33
US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard)[15] 13
US Rap Digital Songs (Billboard)[15] 40

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "DJ Shadow feat. Run the Jewels's 'Nobody Speak' sample of Audio Two's 'Top Billin'". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  2. Blistein, Jon (April 14, 2016). "DJ Shadow Taps Run the Jewels For Brassy, Bruising 'Nobody Speak'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  3. "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Web Exclusive: "How I Wrote That Song: DJ Shadow & Run The Jewels 'Nobody Speak'"". The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on YouTube. June 16, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  4. "DJ Shadow – Nobody Speak (File)". Discogs. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  5. "DJ Shadow – Nobody Speak (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  6. Geslani, Michelle (August 24, 2016). "DJ Shadow and Run the Jewels share brutal, politically charged "Nobody Speak" video — watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  7. Leight, Elias (August 24, 2016). "See DJ Shadow, Run the Jewels' 'Nobody Speak' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  8. Pearce, Sheldon; Monroe, Jazz (August 24, 2016). "Watch Politicians Brawl in DJ Shadow and Run the Jewels' New "Nobody Speak" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  9. Josephs, Brian (August 24, 2016). "DJ Shadow and Run the Jewels Soundtrack Politicians' Battle Royale in 'Nobody Speak' Video". Spin. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  10. Breihan, Tom (August 24, 2016). "DJ Shadow – "Nobody Speak" (Feat. Run The Jewels) Video". Stereogum. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  11. "Extreme Reach". app.extremereach.com. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  12. "DJ Shadow Feat. Run The Jewels – Nobody Speak (CD-R)". Discogs. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  13. The Mountain Will Fall (album liner notes). DJ Shadow. Mass Appeal Records / Liquid Amber. 2016.CS1 maint: others (link)
  14. "DJ Shadow Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  15. "DJ Shadow Chart search". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  16. "American single certifications – DJ Shadow – Nobody Speak". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 27, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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