Racks in the Middle

"Racks in the Middle" is a song by American rapper Nipsey Hussle featuring American rapper Roddy Ricch and record producer Hit-Boy, released on February 15, 2019, through All Money In and Atlantic Records. It is the last single Hussle released during his lifetime, as he was shot dead on March 31, 2019.[1] The song received nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, winning the latter. The award marked Hussle's first Grammy win, with his family and his partner Lauren London accepting the award on his behalf.[2]

"Racks in the Middle"
Single by Nipsey Hussle featuring Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy
ReleasedFebruary 15, 2019 (2019-02-15)
Recorded2018
GenreWest Coast hip hop
Length3:53
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Hit-Boy
Nipsey Hussle singles chronology
"Perfect Timing"
(2018)		 "Racks in the Middle"
(2019)		 "Higher"
(2019)
Roddy Ricch singles chronology
"Project Dreams"
(2018)		 "Racks in the Middle"
(2019)		 "How It Is"
(2019)
Music video
"Racks In The Middle (feat. Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy)" on YouTube

Background

In an interview, Roddy Ricch said the song was initially only a collaboration between him and the song's producer Hit-Boy.[3] He said Nipsey Hussle then heard the song and said he wanted it. Ricch recalls not liking the song at first, but putting his trust in Hussle who later claimed that "the streets are going to feel that shit".[3]

Critical reception

Rolling Stone called the track atypical of Hussle's discography, saying his collaboration with Ricch and Hit-Boy resulted in a "more radio-friendly sound", but with "radical honesty" in its lyrics, which detail Hussle speaking to a dead friend.[1]

Music video

The music video was released to Hussle's YouTube channel on February 22, 2019, a week after the song's release, and features Hussle and Ricch rapping in front of luxury cars. Billboard described the video as "lavish".[4]

Commercial performance

Following Hussle's death, his music sales increased by close to 3,000% and his streams increased by 1,773% in the United States, with "Racks in the Middle" accumulating 3,000 units, or 11.8 million streams.[5][6] This led to the song being one of four songs by the rapper to posthumously debut on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Racks in the Middle" becoming his highest-charting as a lead artist.[7]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16] Platinum 80,000
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Fitzgerald, Kiana (April 1, 2019). "10 Nipsey Hussle Songs You Need to Know". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  2. Cowen, Trace William (January 27, 2020). "Nipsey Hussle's Family Accepts Posthumous Grammy Award for "Racks in the Middle"". Complex. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  3. Roberts, Randall (December 5, 2019). "For Nipsey Hussle friend Roddy Ricch, Grammy recognition is bittersweet". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  4. Saponara, Michael (February 22, 2019). "Nipsey Hussle & Roddy Ricch Ride Around in Luxury for New 'Racks in the Middle' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  5. "Nipsey Hussle's Music Sales Surge Nearly 3,000 Percent Since Passing". The Source. April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  6. Espinoza, Joshua (April 4, 2019). "Nipsey Hussle Music Streams Increased 1,773% Following His Death". Complex. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  7. "Nipsey Hussle Posthumously Debuts Four Songs On Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  8. "Nipsey Husle Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  9. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Nipsey Hussle". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  10. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  11. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201915 into search. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  13. "Nipsey Husle Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  14. "Nipsey Husle Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  15. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  16. "Canadian single certifications – Nipsey Hussle – Racks in the Middle". Music Canada.
  17. "American single certifications – Nipsey Hussle – Racks in the Middle". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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