Trenches (Monica and Lil Baby song)
"Trenches" is a song by American singer Monica and rapper Lil Baby. It was written by both musicians along with Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams from The Neptunes for Monica's upcoming same-titled ninth studio album, while production was helmed by the latter two.[1] The song was released as the album's first single on August 31, 2020,[2] coinciding with Monica and Brandy's appearances on the webcast battle series Verzuz.[3] "Trenches" has since reached number 32 on the US Billboard Digital Song Sales.[4]
"Trenches" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Monica featuring Lil Baby | ||||
from the album Trenches | ||||
Released | August 31, 2020 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 3:35 | |||
Label | Mondeenise | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | The Neptunes | |||
Monica singles chronology | ||||
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Critical reception
Variety put "Trenches" on their Best Songs of the Week listing. Editor Jem Aswad wrote: "We’ve gotta say this song snared us when Monica premiered it the other night on her Verzuz battle with Brandy — and while the beat and the Lil Baby cameo are both hot, what’s really shining through on this song is the gorgeous melody, which is intricate and tricky to sing, but of course Monica delivers with confidence and ease, dropping in some life lessons along the way."[5]
Chart performance
Upon release, "Trenches" debuted at number 32 on Billboard's Hot 100 component Digital Song Sales, becoming Monica's first entry on the chart since 2008's "Still Standing."[4] The song also opened at number 2 on the R&B Digital Song Sales, number 10 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and number 14 on the Hot R&B Songs.[4] It has since peaked at number 12 on the latter chart.[6]
Music video
A music video for "Trenches" was filmed by The Rite Brothers, consisting of director Colin Quinn and first assistant director Sam Green.[7] In the "simplistic visual,"[8] Lil Baby portrays a "street heavyweight" with whom Monica catches up in an abandoned warehouse.[8] The video premiered online on November 25, 2020.[8]
Charts
Chart (2020–21) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[9] | 30 |
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[4] | 32 |
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[6] | 12 |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | August 31, 2020 | Mondeenise | [2] |
References
- "Monica Returns with New Single 'Trenches' Featuring Lil Baby". Rap-Up. August 31, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- "Trenches – Single". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- Cordero, Rosy (August 23, 2020). "Brandy and Monica announce epic Verzuz battle: 'Get ready for the queens!'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- "Monica Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- Aswad, Jem (September 4, 2020). "SZA, Monica, Sofia Reyes and More in the Best Songs of the Week". Variety. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- "Monica Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- Cho, Regina (November 26, 2020). "Lil Baby assists Monica in new "Trenches" visual". Revolt. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- Folk, Antwane (November 25, 2020). "Monica Switches Into Goonica Mode for 'Trenches' Video". Revolt. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- "Monica Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
External links
- Monica.com – official website