Prblms
"Prblms" (a disemvoweling of "problems" and stylized in all caps) is a single by American singer 6lack. It was released on September 23, 2016, by LoveRenaissance and Interscope Records.[2] The track was produced by NOVA.[3] The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 23, 2017.
"Prblms" | ||||
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Single by 6lack | ||||
from the album Free 6lack | ||||
Released | September 23, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2016 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:06 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | NOVA | |||
6lack singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"PRBLMS" on YouTube |
Background and release
6lack originally released "Prblms" onto SoundCloud on April 14, 2016.[4] His manager connected with Apple Music's R&B curator, and eventually the song appeared on 10 playlists through the service.[4] In June, media personality Kylie Jenner lip-synced to the song during on of her Snapchat videos, which boosted the popularity of it.[5] 6lack said Jenner's shout-out was a great experience, and it showed him that he was "doing something right."[6] The song was later re-released officially in September of that year.[6]
Lyrically, the song is about a failing relationship.[7] 6lack wrote the song after having a fight with the woman he was seeing at the time; one of the lines from the song is a text that he received from her the night he was writing the song.[6]
Music video
The music video for "Prblms" was released on October 14, 2016 on 6lack's Vevo account.[8]
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2017) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 72 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 34 |
Year-end charts
Chart (2017) | Position |
---|---|
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] | 96 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[12] | 2× Platinum | 160,000 |
United Kingdom (BPI)[13] | Silver | 200,000 |
United States (RIAA)[14] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000 |
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- "Street Hymns, 9 Grand". SoundCloud. 1 April 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- "PRBLMS". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
- Slavik, Nathan (July 14, 2016). "How Apple Music Blew Up 6LACK's "Problems"". DJ Booth.
- Horowitz, Steven J. (January 10, 2017). "How Kylie Jenner's Snapchat Turns Songs Into Hits". Genius.
- Skipper, Clay (March 30, 2017). "How 6LACK Went From Sleeping in a Recording Studio to Touring with The Weeknd". GQ.
- Nostro, Lauren (January 31, 2017). "6LACK Breaks Down "PRBLMS" On Genius' Video Series 'Verified'". Genius.
- "6LACK - Prblms (Official Video)". YouTube. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
- "6LACK Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- "6LACK Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- "Canadian single certifications – 6lack – Prblms". Music Canada.
- "British single certifications – 6Lack – Prblms". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 27, 2020. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Prblms in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "American single certifications – 6LACK". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 17, 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.