Ric Flair Drip
"Ric Flair Drip" is a song by American rapper Offset and record producer Metro Boomin. It was included on their collaborative studio album with 21 Savage, Without Warning (2017). Upon the album's release, it charted at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] After its release as the lead single,[3] and a subsequent music video starring Ric Flair himself, it rose to number 13,[4] becoming both Metro Boomin and Offset's highest charting song as lead artists.[5][6] It is prominently featured in the WWE 2K19 soundtrack, particularly in the "Ric Flair Collector's Edition" version of the game.[7] As of July 2020, the song has amassed over 700 million streams on Spotify, making it the 240th most played song ever on the streaming service.[8] It is also the second most streamed song of all time on Spotify's influential RapCaviar playlist.[9] The song has been credited for popularizing the term "drip", a slang expression denoting one's fashionability and excess swagger.[10][11]
"Ric Flair Drip" | ||||
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Single by Offset and Metro Boomin | ||||
from the album Without Warning | ||||
Released | March 1, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2017 | |||
Studio | Sterling Sound, New York City | |||
Genre | Trap, hyphy[1] | |||
Length | 2:52 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Offset singles chronology | ||||
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Metro Boomin singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Ric Flair Drip" on YouTube |
Background
The song is the third track on 21 Savage, Offset and Metro Boomin's collaborative studio album Without Warning, which was released in October 2017.[12] It was ranked the 44th best song of 2017 by Complex Media.[13] It was the 10th most streamed track of 2018 on Apple Music.[14]
On February 4, 2018, the track was certified platinum before even being released as a single, marking Offset's first platinum song as a lead artist. Almost half a year after its initial release, the song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, following months of gradual ascension from its number 71 debut.[15] The song ultimately spent 31 total weeks on the Hot 100, and was ranked number 38th on Billboard's annual year end chart for 2018.[16][17] It has since been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA,[18] and is both the best-selling, and highest charting song from any solo Migos member as a lead artist.
Music video and legacy
In late February 2018, Ric Flair posted a photo to his personal Twitter account of himself and Offset in sequin robes reminiscent of those famously worn by Flair during his WWE career, suggesting that a music video was in the works.[19] A music video was released a week later on March 1, and was directed by Bengali-American videographer Shomi Patwary. It was published on 21 Savage's official Vevo channel despite him not being present on the audio of the song.
The visual primarily takes place in a luxury mansion and features appearances from song namesake Ric Flair, fellow Migos members Quavo and Takeoff as well as album-mates, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin.[20][21][22] Patwary described the video's flagrant portrayal of opulence as a parody of the "outlandish" nature of many contemporary hip-hop music videos.[23] The audio cuts midway for an interlude in which Flair delivers his signature "Limousine-Ridin', Jet-Flyin' Son of a Gun" WWE monologue.[24] Throughout the video, Offset can be seen wearing a chain based on Ric Flair's likeness. The $70,000 medallion was originally gifted to Offset by Quality Control Music CEO Pierre "Pee" Thomas for his 26th birthday, and was approved by Ric Flair himself.[25]
The music video was watched more than 1.5 million times on YouTube within the first 24 hours of its premiere,[26] and as of July 2020, it has exceeded 360 million views. XXL included it on their year-end list of the 50 best music videos of 2018.[27] Its "official audio" was uploaded to YouTube on October 31, 2018 to accompany the release of its parent album and has itself alone garnered over 140 million views.[28]
Ric Flair selected the song for the WWE 2K19 soundtrack,[29] and has used the track as his personal ringtone,[30] as well as entrance music for his own wedding.[31] Various "Ric Flair Drip"-inspired t-shirts and sweatshirts depicting lyrics were also made available for purchase on Ric Flair's official online merchandise shop.[32]
The video has spawned an unlikely friendship between Offset and Flair, as the two have made multiple public appearances together since its release and routinely interact on social media.[33][34] In April 2018, the visual was recreated live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a performance that featured a surprise appearance from Flair himself.[35] The two also made a joint appearance on an episode of WWE SmackDown in September 2019.[36]
Remix
On January 17, 2018, American rapper Tyga released his remix of the song titled "Dubai Drip", which he released on the WorldStarHipHop YouTube channel.[37]
Personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from Tidal.[38]
Musicians
- Leland Wayne – production, composer, songwriter
- Kiari Cephus – lead artist, songwriter, composer
Technical
- Bijan Amir – production, composer, programmer
- Joe LaPorta – master engineering
- Ethan Stevens – engineering, mixing
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[52] | Platinum | 70,000 |
Canada (Music Canada)[53] | 4× Platinum | 320,000 |
France (SNEP)[54] | Gold | 100,000 |
Italy (FIMI)[55] | Gold | 25,000 |
United Kingdom (BPI)[56] | Silver | 200,000 |
United States (RIAA)[57] | 6× Platinum | 6,000,000 |
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | October 31, 2017 | [58] | ||
United States | March 1, 2018 | Rhythmic contemporary | [59] |
References
- Peters, Micah (November 2, 2017). "Not Every Collab Is a Great Collab, and That's Fine". The Ringer.
- "Migos' Offset And Quavo Dominate The Hot 100, Together And Alone". Forbes. February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- "OffSet Earns First Solo Platinum Single". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- "Metro Boomin Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- "Offset Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- "WWE 2K19 $130 Ric Flair Collector's Edition Revealed".
- "Video". www.youtube.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- "5 Years of RapCaviar: Spotify's Carl Chery Breaks Down the Power of the Playlist". Billboard.
- "How "Drip" Became Hip-Hop's Most-Used Slang Term In 2018". Genius.
- "Without Warning by 21 Savage, Offset & Metro Boomin". Apple Music. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- "The Best Songs of 2017". Complex.
- Aswad, Jem (December 4, 2018). "Apple Music Unveils Its Top 100 Songs and Albums for 2018". Variety. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- "Metro Boomin Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- "Offset". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- "Offset Celebrates "Ric Flair Drip" Going 3X Platinum". HotNewHipHop.
- Gaca, Anna. "Video: Offset & Metro Booming – "Ric Flair Drip"". Spin. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- Lamarre, Carl. "Wrestling Legend Ric Flair Brings His Ageless Swagger to Offset & Metro Boomin's 'Ric Flair Drip' Video". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
- Cowen, Trace. "21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin Drop "Ric Flair Drip" Video". Complex. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
- India, Lindsey. "Offset, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin Flex With the Legend Himself in "Ric Flair Drip" Video". XXL. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
- "Director Shomi Patwary on Music Video Dreams, Nightmares and Nostalgia for Offset, Pusha T, and Ava Max". Studio Daily. March 1, 2019.
- Maglio, Tony. "Ric Flair Recreates Infamous "Limousine-Ridin', Jet-Flyin' Son of a Gun" Wrestling Promo for Rap Video". Yahoo. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- Boykins, Austin. "Offset Receives Elaborate $70,000 USD Ric Flair Chain". Hypebeast. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- Price, Mark. "Rap video featuring dancing Ric Flair explodes with 1.5 million views in a day". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- Coe, Kairi. "50 of the Best Hip-Hop Videos of 2018 - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- "Offset & Metro Boomin - "Ric Flair Drip" (Official Audio)". YouTube.
- "WWE Superstars Select The WWE 2K19 Soundtrack; Now Streaming on Apple Music". WWE2K. September 18, 2018.
- "Ric Flair's Ringtone Is Offset and Metro Boomin's "Ric Flair Drip": Video". XXL Mag.
- "Ric Flair Walks Down Aisle to Ric Flair Drip at His Wedding - XXL". XXL Mag.
- "Ric Flair Drip T-Shirt". The Ric Flair Shop.
- "Watch: Ric Flair, Rapper Offset Make Surprise Appearance During SmackDown Live". WWE.
- Dare, Angie (February 26, 2020). "Offset Puts Some Respect On Ric Flair's Birthday: "Go Woooo On A Bi¥#%"".
- "Watch Offset & Metro Boomin Perform "Ric Flair Drip" With the Actual Ric Flair". Highsnobiety. April 18, 2018.
- "Offset Channels Ric Flair During Appearance On WWE SmackDown Live: Watch". HotNewHipHop.
- "Tyga Flips Offset & Metro Boomin's "Ric Flair Drip" On "Dubai Drips"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- "Without Warning / 21 Savage, Offset, Metro Boomin on TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- "ARIA Chart Watch #464". auspOp. March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- "Metro Boomin Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- "Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- "Swisscharts.com – Offset & Metro Boomin – Ric Flair Drip". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- "Metro Boomin Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 200 Singles 2018" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
- "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "ARIA Chart Watch #470". auspOp. April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
- "Canadian single certifications – 21 Savage, Offset & Metro Boomin – Ric Flair Drip". Music Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- "French single certifications – 21 Savage & Offset & Metro Boomin – Ric Flair Drip" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- "Italian single certifications – Offset & Metro Boomin – Ric Flair Drip" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 12, 2018. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Ric Flair Drip" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
- "British single certifications – Offset & Metro Boomin – Ric Flair Drip". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 30, 2018. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Ric Flair Drip in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "American single certifications – Offset & Metro Boomin – Ric Flair Drip". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 25, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
- "Without Warning by 21 savage, Metro Boomin & Offset". Apple Music. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- "Offset & Metro Boomin's 'Ric Flair Drip' Joins Rhythmic Radio's Top 20". Headline Planet. March 4, 2018.