War (Pop Smoke song)

"War" is a song by American rapper Pop Smoke, featuring rapper and singer Lil Tjay. The song was written by Pop Smoke, also known as Bashar Jackson, alongside Lil Tjay, who has the real name of Tione Merritt, Ellis Newton, and 808Melo, who has the real name of Andre Loblack and solely handled production. It was released by Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records as a standalone single on October 4, 2019. The song was later included as a bonus track on Pop Smoke's second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2 (2020).

"War"
Single by Pop Smoke featuring Lil Tjay
ReleasedOctober 4, 2019
Genre
Length3:43
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)808Melo
Pop Smoke singles chronology
"Flexin"
(2019)		 "War"
(2019)		 "Fire in the Booth, Pt. 1"
(2019)
Lil Tjay singles chronology
"Hold On"
(2019)		 "War"
(2019)		 "Go In"
(2020)

A drill and hip hop track, "War" sees Pop Smoke and Lil Tjay rap about intimidating people in the streets of New York. The song received positive reviews from music critics, with a number of them praising the lyrics. It peaked at number 100 on the Canadian Hot 100. A music video for the song was released on October 28, 2019, and was directed by JLShotThat. It features Pop Smoke and Lil Tjay rapping in a huge mansion, riding on street bikes, performing live, and interrupting a show.

Background and composition

The song was written by Pop Smoke, known as Bashar Jackson, alongside Lil Tjay, who has the real name of Tione Merritt, Ellis Newton, and 808Melo, who has the real name of Andre Loblack. 808Melo handled the song's production and programming. Colin Leonard mastered the song, while Fabian Marasciullo handled mixing alongside Thomas McLaren, who was credited as an assistant mixer.[1] "War" was released as a standalone single by Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records on October 4, 2019.[2] It was later added as a bonus track on Pop Smoke's second mixtape Meet the Woo 2 on February 7, 2020.[3][4][5]

Musically, "War" is a drill and hip hop song.[6] Writing for Billboard magazine, Michael Saponara stated that the song has Pop Smoke rap with "croaky rhymes", that are mixed with Lil Tjay's "high-pitched croon". He continued, saying Pop Smoke "stays intimidating to his detractors by calmly saying one call can have them disposed of".[7] Naimah Archibald-Powell of GRM Daily commented that the song "houses Pop Smoke's unique ad-libs, a catchy chrous and assertive bars".[6] According to Legend of OnSMASH, the two rappers "flex in the darkness of the New York block, making sure folks know what time it is when they come through".[8]

Reception

"War" has been met with mainly positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Spin magazine, Emily Tan called the song a "stream-worthy single".[9] The staff of XXL magazine described the song as "ominous".[10] Aron A. of HotNewHipHop stated that "Pop Smoke's deep, raspy voice contrasts Lil Tjay's more honeyed melodies", and said it "keeps things exciting throughout the track".[2] Saponara praised the song, saying Pop Smoke "stays war-ready", while opining that his chemistry with Lil Tjay "makes for an explosive combination".[7] Dhruva Balram of NME said that "Pop [Smoke's] croak perfectly complements Lil Tjay's rapid-fire rhymes, making for a frenzied combination".[11] After Pop Smoke was murdered at the age of 20, "War" debuted at number 100 on the Canadian Hot 100 for the issue dated March 6, 2020, and lasted one week on the chart.[12]

Music video

A music video for "War" was released on October 28, 2019, and was directed by JLShotThat.[13][14] The visual was shot in black and white, with it featuring Pop Smoke and Lil Tjay rapping their verses in a huge mansion, as scenes switch between them on street bikes, performing live, and shutting down a show.[6][13] Torsten Ingvaldsen of Hypebeast mentioned the visual is "lightly edited", and commented that its "only hint of color are the various flame details that mark transitions throughout".[13] Archibald-Powell opined that the video is "sweet and simple".[6] The staff of SOHH commented that Pop Smoke and Lil Tjay "premiered their new 'War' music video to the masses".[15]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[1]

  • Bashar Jackson – vocals, songwriter
  • Tione Merritt – vocals, songwriter
  • Andre Loblack – producer, songwriter, programming
  • Ellis Newton – songwriter
  • Colin Leonard – mastering engineer
  • Fabian Marasciullo – mixing engineer
  • Thomas McLaren – assistant mixing engineer

Charts
Weekly chart performance for "War"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 100

References
  1. "Credits / War / Pop Smoke". Tidal. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. A., Aron (October 4, 2019). "Pop Smoke & Lil Tjay Team Up For New Banger 'War'". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  3. Jackson, Reed (February 13, 2020). "Pop Smoke Meet the Woo Vol. 2". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  4. Breihan, Tom (February 7, 2020). "Stream Pop Smoke's New Mixtape Meet The Woo 2". Stereogum. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  5. Renshaw, David (February 7, 2020). "Pop Smoke drops Meet The Woo, Vol. 2". The Fader. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  6. Archibald-Powell, Naimah (October 29, 2019). "Pop Smoke And Lil Tjay Ready For 'War' In New Visuals". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  7. Saponara, Michael (February 19, 2020). "Meet the Woo: 8 Songs to Remember Pop Smoke By". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  8. Legend (October 9, 2019). "Pop Smoke – War (feat. Lil Tjay)". OnSMASH. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  9. Tan, Emily (February 19, 2020). "Pop Smoke Dies at 20". Spin. Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  10. "How Pop Smoke Went From Hoop Dreams To Becoming One Of New York's Hottest Rappers". XXL. February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  11. Balram, Dhruva (February 20, 2020). "Pay tribute to the late, great Pop Smoke with his 10 best tracks". NME. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  12. "Pop Smoke Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  13. Ingvaldsen, Torsten (October 29, 2019). "Pop Smoke & Lil Tjay Reconnect for Official 'War' Music Video". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  14. "Latest English Song 'War' Sung By Pop Smoke". The Times of India. March 20, 2020. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  15. "Watch: Pop Smoke + Lil Tjay Go To War In New Video". SOHH. October 28, 2019. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
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