Big Energy

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"Big Energy"
Latto - Big Energy.png
Single by Latto
from the album 777
ReleasedSeptember 24, 2021 (2021-09-24)
Recorded2021
GenrePop[1]
Length2:54
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Latto singles chronology
"The Biggest"
(2021) 		"Big Energy"
(2021) 		"Soufside"
(2021)
Mariah Carey singles chronology
"Fall in Love at Christmas"
(2021) 		"Big Energy (Remix)"
(2022)
DJ Khaled singles chronology
"Amazing"
(2021) 		"Big Energy (Remix)"
(2022)
Music video
"Big Energy" on YouTube

"Big Energy" is a song by American rapper Latto, released through Streamcut and RCA Records on September 24, 2021.[2] It was released as the lead single from Latto's second studio album, 777 (2022). It was written by Latto, A1 LaFlare, Jaucquez Lowe, Randall Hammers, Theron Thomas, and producers Lukasz Gottwald, Vaughn Oliver, while Adrian Belew, Chris Frantz, Steven Stanley, and Tina Weymouth are credited for the sample of Tom Tom Club's 1981 song "Genius of Love".

"Big Energy" became Latto's highest-charting song on the US Billboard Hot 100, so far peaking at number 14. It also reached the top 20 in Canada and New Zealand. A remix with American singer Mariah Carey featuring DJ Khaled will be released on March 28, 2022.

Background and release[]

Original[]

In May 2021, Latto released the song "The Biggest" following the announcement of her stage name changing from Mulatto to Latto.[3] "Big Energy" was first premiered at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, where Latto performed three songs in short segments throughout the show.[4] Latto also promoted the song with performances at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards[5] and on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[6]

Remix[]

On March 25, 2022, Latto revealed that singer Mariah Carey and record producer DJ Khaled will be featured on her "Big Energy" remix, set to be released Monday, 28, 2022. This announcement came days after speculation on who was to be featured on the song's remix grew as Latto released her album's tracklist, blurring the featured artist's name. A few days later, on March 25, Latto ultimately revealed through the single cover art that the blurred artist would be Mariah Carey, after a Twitter exchange between the two artists, which further increased speculation.[7][8]

Recording and production[]

Latto told Billboard that in the lyrics she took the "masculine, trendy 'big dick energy' quote" from social media and made it a concept that all genders can have and take it deeper than just a sexual aspect. Latto added, "I wanted it to be empowering. It's an aura that you carry and a confidence. It’s just an overall vibe and when you walk in the room, you have 'big energy' and no one can tell you otherwise".[8] Her A&R team first played her the beat during a studio session in Los Angeles, which she felt keen on but perceived it as musically different and "out of [her] comfort zone". Latto described the writing process as a dynamic collaborative effort, collecting different opinions with "people in the room [to] bounce ideas off of each other... talking out loud, playing the beat out loud. It wasn't a sit-down-and-write type of thing... and I was asking the girls in the room, 'What does big energy mean to you?'[9]

The song was produced by Dr. Luke and Vaughn Oliver. It heavily samples the 1981 single, "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club, one of the most sampled rhythm tracks of the 1980s, particularly within the hip hop and R&B genre.[10] Notable sample uses of that single include Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde's "Genius Rap" in 1981; Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "It's Nasty" in 1982; Mariah Carey's "Fantasy" in 1995; and The X-Ecutioners' "Genius of Love 2002" in 2002. Latto stated that the sample was a new sound for her that "might cause controversy", but felt confident that its catchiness would bring a new audience and wider fanbase to her career.[9]

Critical reception[]

Melinda Fakuade of Rolling Stone wrote about Latto experimenting with the pop sound, saying it is "a conscious attempt of a creative risk" and feels "hyper-curated for the TikTok generation".[1] In Clash, Ana Lamond said that the "playful" single channels "colourful nostalgia with a lush, groovy finish," that welcomes a "pop-centric commercial appeal" on the album.[11] Jordan Bassett from NME wrote that the song is "a dumb, fun summer anthem wrapped up in a squelchy sample" that is "the feel-good highpoint" of the album.[12]

Commercial performance[]

"Big Energy" debuted at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100, for the week dated November 24, 2021, becoming Latto's highest-charting song on the chart since "Bitch from da Souf", which peaked at number 95 in 2020. The song has since peaked at number 14, becoming Latto's first top 20 entry.[13] The song also reached number one on the US Rhythmic airplay chart.[14]

Music video[]

The song's video was directed by Arrad. It was released alongside the song. According to Complex, the video "capitalizes on the theme of chance", as the clip's leading man gives it a try at the lottery, while Latto is dancing and singing against a "casino backdrop", and the man gets struck "by what seems to be Cupid's arrow".[15] The video features a scene of Latto wearing an attire in the colors of a lady beetle, represented in the cover art for the single.[2]

Charts[]

Chart performance for "Big Energy"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[16] 82
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] 17
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[18] 3
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[19] 37
Global 200 (Billboard)[20] 140
Israel (Media Forest)[21] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[22] 19
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 14
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[23] 32
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[24] 2
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[25] 6
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[14] 1

Certifications[]

Certifications for "Big Energy"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[26] Gold 15,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[27] Gold 500,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[]

Release history for "Big Energy"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various September 24, 2021
Original
United States October 12, 2021 Rhythmic radio [28]
Urban adult contemporary radio [29]
Various March 28, 2022
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Remix [8]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Fakuade, Melinda (2022-02-03). "Latto: Atlanta Rapper Talks 'Big Energy,' New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  2. ^ a b "Latto Pays Homage To This Major Throwback Hit With New Single, "Big Energy"". Essence. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  3. ^ "Rapper Mulatto Changes Name To Latto". Stereogum. May 21, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  4. ^ Inman, DeMicia (September 13, 2021). "Latto Debuts "Big Energy" During MTV VMAs Extended Stage Performance". Vibe. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  5. ^ Inman, DeMicia (October 5, 2021). "Latto Brings "Big Energy" To The 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards Stage". Vibe. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  6. ^ "Latto Makes Her Late Night Debut With Seth Meyers". iHeartRadio. November 19, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  7. ^ Starsky, Seeka (2022-03-22). "Latto's About To Drop Big News — Who's The Surprise Feature On The "Big Energy" Remix?". SOHH.com. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  8. ^ a b c Aniftos, Rania (2022-03-26). "Mariah Carey & DJ Khaled to Join Latto on 'Big Energy' Remix". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  9. ^ a b Aniftos, Rania (2022-11-24). "Why Latto Believes Her Latest Hit 'Big Energy' Was Her 'Fate'". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  10. ^ Vincent, Rickey (2004). "Hip-Hop and Black Noise: Raising Hell". In Forman, Murray; Neal, Mark Anthony (eds.). That's the Joint!: The Hip-Hop Studies Reader. London, England: Routledge. p. 559. ISBN 0-203-64219-8.
  11. ^ Lamond, Ana (March 25, 2022). "Latto - 777". Clash. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  12. ^ Bassett, Jordan (March 25, 2022). "Latto – '777' review: 'Queen of da Souf' digs deeper with soul-searching second album". NME. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "The Hot 100: Week Ending March 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Rhythmic Airplay: Week Ending January 1, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  15. ^ "Watch Latto's Video for New Track "Big Energy"". Complex. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  16. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 21 March 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1672. Australian Recording Industry Association. March 21, 2022. p. 4.
  17. ^ "Canadian Hot 100: Week Ending March 26, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "Canada CHR/Top 40: Week of March 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  19. ^ "Canada Hot AC: Week of March 26, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  20. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of March 12, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  21. ^ "Media Forest charts". 9. Media Forest. 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  22. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  23. ^ "Adult Pop Airplay: Week of March 26, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  24. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week Ending March 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  25. ^ "Pop Airplay: Week Ending March 26, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  26. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Latto – Big Energy". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  27. ^ "American single certifications – Latto – Big Energy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  29. ^ "Urban/R&B Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
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