"Clappers" is a song by Wale featuring Juicy J and Nicki Minaj. It appears as the ninth track on his third studio album, The Gifted, released on June 25, 2013. The song was later released as the albums fourth and final single on September 3, 2013. A music video was shot on June 18, and premiered on September 3.
Background[]
A snippet of the song was posted by Wale on May 22, 2013.[1] It was not confirmed if Minaj was on the song at that time but it sounded like her, and the song was rumored to be called "Clappin'." On May 17, Wale previewed the album at Atlantic Records/Warner Bros. New York City, where "Clappers" was confirmed to appear on the album featuring Minaj and Juicy J, but it was unknown until May 23.[2] Wale planned to release the song the week of June 17-23,[3][4] if he has Minaj's approval to do so.[5][6] He teased the release of the song to be June 18,[7] and release it online that day.[8]
Composition[]
The song was produced by Mark Henry Beats[9], No Credit, and Juicy J, and it samples "Da Butt," from the go-go band E.U. (Experienced Unlimited), featuring live drums.[2]
Critical reception[]
"Clappers" received positive reviews by music critics, who complimented Minaj's verse as the best of the track. Jeff Rosenthal from Rolling Stone enjoyed the song and praised Juicy J and Minaj's verses, specially Minaj's one, commenting: "Juicy J does a Juicy J-ish verse, but the real star of this song is Nicki, who steals the show." He also said that the song "feels like driving on potholes," but "more pleasurable."[2] Trent Fitzgerald from TheDrop.fm called the song and Minaj's verse "the perfect twerking jam for the summer" and "standout," respectively.[10] Brad Wete from Billboard commented that the song is "begging to be played at strip clubs."[11]
Music Video[]
Wale announced that there will be a music video, on June 4, 2013, to be shoot by director Benny Boom at New York and Washington D.C.[12] The video was planned to be shot on June 10,[13] but was rescheduled to June 18.[14] It premiered on World StarHipHop on September 3, and on Wale's Youtube account the next day.
Behind the Scenes[]
On June 20, 2013, Nicki announced that there would be a BTS video of the shoot. Later that day, Wale confirmed that it would be released on June 24.
Charts[]
| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 37 |
Lyrics[]
[Hook: Wale]
Shawty got a big ol' butt, oh yeah! (Bounce, bounce, bounce...)
Shawty got a big ol' butt, oh yeah! (Bounce, bounce, bounce...)
Clappers to the front, front, front, front
Clappers to the front, front, front, front
Shawty got a big ol' butt
Oh Yeah!
[Verse 1: Wale]
Bounce, bounce, bounce, fool - I put the city on
Bounce, bounce, bounce, fool - then I put my n***** on
Bounce, bounce, bounce, fool - I ain't gotta say too much
It's rap anticipation keeping radiant stadium
Rap fool, see that from a block away
I ain't pessimistic but I dropped a couple not today
OOOOH - Bet she call you not today
I told 'em all my lot is out
I know the thing like scarlatine
Ooooh - I wonder if she shot up
I just know her favorite song is "Started from the Bottom"
And I ain't hating mama, fact I wanna take your number
Said you save yo bread from Magic something happened then went Wala!
[Hook: Wale]
Shawty got a big ol' butt, oh yeah! (Bounce, bounce, bounce...)
Shawty got a big ol' butt, oh yeah! (Bounce, bounce, bounce...)
Clappers to the front, front, front, front
Clappers to the front, front, front, front
Shawty got a big ol' butt
Oh Yeah!
[Verse 2: Juicy J]
Shawty come shake that ass for me
Let a trippy n**** see what you working with
Can you clap that ass, do a handstand, girl
Make you do a wiggle, do a perfect split
She got the fattest ass, she got the perfect tits
I wanna get some head, come on work your lips
I'm high in the clouds ain't coming down
I'm so turned up I can't find the ground
Supersonic n**** got me smoking weed by the pound
Make it flip with the wool won't-wont got my ground (?)
Juicy got chips like Frito-Lay
And im fucking these chicks out of D.O.A.
I'm so dopeboy fresh that you think that I' selling blow tape
Your chick to be, I be a getting her pregnant in her throat
[Bridge: Juicy J]
Shawty bust it open for me, I might throw this cash
Shawty throw that ass like a Hail Mary pass
I'm fucking me a new chick every night
Make that ass clap, I don't care about that cellulite
[Hook: Wale]
Shawty got a big ol' butt, oh yeah! (Bounce, bounce, bounce...)
Shawty got a big ol' butt, oh yeah! (Bounce, bounce, bounce...)
Clappers to the front, front, front, front
Clappers to the front, front, front, front
Shawty got a big ol' butt
Oh Yeah!
[Verse 3: Wale]
Clappers to the front, got a backwood full of skunk
Got a white boy with the funnel gentrifying uglies up!
Clappers to the front, all you n***** got is scum
Now she finna bust it loose, screaming rest in peace to Chuck
It's that DMV, at the KOD
And I can CC you these CC's
But don't be OC
[Verse 4: Nicki Minaj]
Shout out to that cellulite
Got a real bad bitch that'll sell ya white
Got another bad bitch that'll sex ya right
Got a couple hoodrats on section 8
Make a n***** cum, don't procrastinate
Ass on 5-0, come crack the case
Got ass for days, come activate
This ass on fire, evacuate
Throw that ass in the air, evaporate
Where ya money? Let a bitch evaluate
If you bout big money, elaborate
Imma shake this ass till I graduate (n****)
[Hook: Wale]
Shawty got a big ol' butt, oh yeah! (Bounce, bounce, bounce...)
Shawty got a big ol' butt, oh yeah! (Bounce, bounce, bounce...)
Clappers to the front, front, front, front
Clappers to the front, front, front, front
Shawty got a big ol' butt
Oh Yeah!
[Outro: Wale]
Bounce bounce bounce bounce…
Bounce bounce bounce bounce…
Sayin rest in peace for cha yea yea
Sayin rest in peace for cha yea yea
Sayin rest in peace for cha yea yea
And in that city I’m the one, yea
Let’s go
East street, D street, Rose got a hoe goin
So she callin
Put it out
Count to 10
1 full, 1 fire
Ride through, Garfield
Come by, by 2 fill
Can’t roll, I been about
The separate city, separate city, separate city
Shawty got a big ol butt
Oh yea
Shawty got a big ol butt
Oh yea
References[]
- ↑ (TRUE TEA?) Another Nicki Minaj feature? Wale... Retrieved May 23, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rolling Stone: Wale Teams With Rihanna, Nicki Minaj on 'The Gifted' by Jeff Rosenthal. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
- ↑ Twitter: Next week RT @MalikkLamar: @Wale What happen to clappers tho? Retrieved June 14, 2013.
- ↑ Twitter: Next week. i want it to be special . i have a plan RT @lettuceminaj: @Wale dick nobody cares we want Clappers Retrieved June 14, 2013.
- ↑ Twitter: I would but ya mova said chill till i get her correct change RT @TMTURKEY: @Wale drop Clappers skank Retrieved June 14, 2013.
- ↑ Twitter: Next week if nicki wants RT @BRAZILIANROMAN: @Wale Will u launch Clappers this week or next? Retrieved June 14, 2013.
- ↑ Twitter: Im enjoyin what we created. wait tll tmrw 😎RT @NICKIMINAJ: If i see one more raggedy vine of u dancin to clappers, sir.. LOL, I can't @Wale Retrieved June 18, 2013.
- ↑ Rap-Up.com New Music: Wale f/ Nicki Minaj & Juicy J – ‘Clappers’ Retrieved June 18, 2013.
- ↑ Wale - Clappers Retrieved June 23, 2013.
- ↑ Wale Releases ‘Clappers’ with Nicki Minaj and Juicy J Review by Trent Fitzgerald from TheDrop.fm. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ Billboard: Wale Previews 'The Gifted' Album In NYC: First Listen by Brad Wete. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ↑ Twitter: Looking for some special type of women for "clappers" video. Shootin in DC and NY Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ↑ Twitter: Clappers video Monday 👀 Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ Twitter: No that shoot will be the 18th RT @ShyLuvMinaj: @Wale yass y'all shoot Clappers tomorrow Retrieved June 12, 2013.