Friends with Benefits (song)

"Friends with Benefits" (commonly abbreviated to its initials "FWB") is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI and Dutch production trio MNDM from the former's second extended play (EP), Jump Around (2016). The song was released for digital download and streaming on 29 July 2016 by Island Records as the second single from the EP. The song's lyrics are about engaging in a no-strings-attached relationship.

"Friends with Benefits"
Single by KSI and MNDM
from the EP Jump Around
Released29 July 2016 (2016-07-29)
Genre
Length2:46
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • MNDM
  • Sway
  • DJ Turkish
  • Faried Jhauw
  • Charlie Cook
KSI singles chronology
"Goes Off"
(2016)		 "Friends with Benefits"
(2016)		 "Jump Around"
(2016)
Music video
"Friends with Benefits" on YouTube

"Friends with Benefits" charted at number 69 in the United Kingdom. An accompanying music video was released on 5 August 2016. The video stars KSI alongside his no-strings-attached ladyfriend, dressing up as various characters in reference to the song's lyrics.

Writing and production

"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]

Music and lyrics

"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]

Release and promotion

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]

Commercial performance

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]

Music video

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 and personnel

Credits adpated from Promonews.[2]

  • Harrison Boyce – director
  • Missy Galanida – executive producer
  • Isaac Rice – executive producer
  • Jamme Ranta – producer
  • Caroline Clayton – commissioner
  • Hound Content – production company

Credits and personnel

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

Charts
Chart performance for "Friends with Benefits"
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[15] 43
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 69
UK Download (OCC)[17] 45
UK R&B (OCC)[9] 12

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Friends with Benefits"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 29 July 2016
[18]

References
  1. "Amsterdam Music Trip". 27 February 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016 – via YouTube.
  2. Velez, Cat (4 October 2020). "KSI & MNDM 'Friends With Benefits' by Harrison Boyce". Promonews. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  3. MNDM (5 August 2016). "VIDEO IS ONLINE NOW!! CHECK IT OUT, LINK IN BIO! @KSI VS @OFFICIALMNDM - FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS #FWB #KSI #NETFLIXANTHEM". Retrieved 5 August 2016 – via Instagram.
  4. Rickett, Oscar (29 September 2015). "How 'Netflix and chill' became code for casual sex". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  5. MNDM (18 July 2016). "#Repost @ksi with @repostapp ・・・ 29th July..." Retrieved 29 July 2016 – via Instagram.
  6. MNDM (25 July 2016). "#Repost @ksi with @repostapp ・・・ This Friday..." Retrieved 29 July 2016 – via Instagram.
  7. "Jump Around ‒ EP by KSI". Apple Music. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  8. "KSI | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  9. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  10. "KSI & MNDM - FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (FWB) OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO". 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016 – via YouTube.
  11. Spangler, Todd (25 July 2016). "Raunchy Comedy 'Laid in America' With YouTube Stars KSI, Caspar Lee Gets Release Dates". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  12. "Check Out KSI's Music Video For 'Friends With Benefits (FWB)' HERE". MTV. 5 August 2016. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  13. Trendell, Andrew (3 October 2016). "KSI unveils video for 'Jump Around' featuring Waka Flocka Flame". NME. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  14. "KSI vs MNDM / Friends With Benefits / Credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  17. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  18. Releases for "Friends With Benefits":
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