Super Gremlin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Super Gremlin"
Single by Kodak Black
from the album Sniper Gang Presents Syko Bob & Snapkatt: Nightmare Babies & Back For Everything
ReleasedOctober 30, 2021 (2021-10-30)
Length3:21
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • ATL Jacob
  • Jambo
Kodak Black singles chronology
"Love & War"
(2021) 		"Super Gremlin"
(2021)
Music video
"Super Gremlin" on YouTube

"Super Gremlin" is a song by American rapper Kodak Black, released on October 30, 2021, as the lead single from the Sniper Gang label compilation Sniper Gang Presents Syko Bob & Snapkatt: Nightmare Babies, a Halloween-themed project. It impacted US urban contemporary radio on January 11, 2022, and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is also included on Kodak's fourth studio album, Back for Everything.

Background[]

The song is taken from Sniper Gang rappers Syko Bob and Snapkatt's album, Sniper Gang Presents Syko Bob & Snapkatt: Nightmare Babies, an 11-track project, of which Kodak appears on eight tracks. The album cover was photographed by Ryan Rolo and Zac Schuss on October 21, 2021 in Miami, Florida. [1][2] HotNewHipHop's Aron A. noted how fans praised the song "as return to form" for Kodak.[3]

On December 3, 2021, YouTubers Zias and B. Lou released a video of Kodak joining them for a reaction video of "Super Gremlin". Portions of the video went viral due to Kodak's "peculiar", "odd" behavior. This led to Kodak responding to people accusing him of being on drugs, tweeting "Lol I B Fakin Like I'm Sleepy, Ion B High Guys I Get Drug Tested Consistently".[4][5]

The vocal sample featured in the beginning and during the choruses is taken from a song called "Errror" by German indie rock band How to Loot Brazil.[6]

Lyrical interpretation[]

The song sees Kodak Black rapping about "lost bonds and betrayal", as he reflects on his time with a former close friend and how they dreamt of being "superstars" together, but he laments that the person has now "switched".[7] Some commentators analyzed that the song is about Kodak's months-long beef with Florida rapper Jackboy, whom Kodak grew up with in the same neighborhood; the two had often showed respect for each other. Their relationship reportedly soured in mid-2021, with the two posting subliminal tweets about each other, one of which saw Kodak tweeting that he "made a million off Jackboy".[7] In June that year, Jackboy responded in an Instagram live, stating that he would not engage in public spats, and does not wish to "talk bad about my brother". He instead hoped for a personal conversation with Kodak to air their grievances out.[8] In November 2021, Kodak took to Instagram live, explaining that he wants to record a project with Jackboy, but implied that their issues stem from undisclosed legal matters and that Jackboy was suing him. He claimed Jackboy was trying to make him out to be the bad person, but stated that he forgives and misses him. Jackboy denied Kodak's claims.[9] "Super Gremlin" also finds Kodak proudly rapping about taking fake Percocets, something he mentioned in previous songs.[10]

Critical reception[]

Revolt's Jon Powell called the song a standout from Nightmare Babies.[11] In their listing of best hip hop producers of 2021, XXL's Kemet High commended producer ATL Jacob's work during the year, exclaiming: "Most importantly, Jacob helped Kodak Black score his latest hit with 'Super Gremlin', a song that has since erupted more than a bottle of Coca-Cola with a handful of Mentos dropped into it".[12]

Music video[]

The music video was released on November 1, 2021, and combines what appears to be a "lavish" and "reckless" lifestyle.[3] The visual sees Kodak embrace the dark themes of Halloween, as he is seen alternating between performing in front of bloodstained walls, wearing crime scene tape, getting energized in a padded cell, and laying with a woman whose dominatrix-like costume has her lips sewn.[1][3]

Other versions[]

American rapper Latto released "Super Gremlin Freestyle" on December 27, 2021, which she recorded in her Atlanta studio. It was accompanied by a video.[13]

Charts[]

Chart performance for "Super Gremlin"
Chart (2021–2022) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 24
Global 200 (Billboard)[15] 16
Ireland (IRMA)[16] 98
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[17] 27
South Africa (RISA)[18] 86
US Billboard Hot 100[19]
[20] 		3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] 1
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[22] 2

Certifications[]

Certifications for "Super Gremlin"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[23] Platinum 1,000,000double-dagger

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

Release history[]

Release history and formats for "Super Gremlin"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various December 3, 2021
Atlantic [24]
United States January 11, 2022 Urban contemporary radio [25]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Powell, Jon (November 1, 2021). "Kodak Black becomes a "Super Gremlin" in new visual". Revolt. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  2. ^ A., Aron (October 30, 2021). "Kodak Black's Sniper Gang Share "Sniper Gang Presents Syko Bob & Snapkatt: Nightmare Babies"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c A., Aron (November 2, 2021). "Kodak Black Shares "Super Gremlin" Music Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  4. ^ Colenan II, C. Vernon (December 7, 2021). "Awkward Kodak Black Interview Goes Viral – Watch - XXL". XXL. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  5. ^ BlackKingKofi (December 7, 2021). "Kodak Black Responds to Concerned Fans After Awkward Interview Goes Viral". The Source. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  6. ^ "Kodak Black: Mit diesem ikonischen Cover kündigt Kodak Black sein neues Album "Back for Everything" an". Warner Music Germany (in German). February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Peake, Amber (December 2021). "Who is Super Gremlin about and is it really the number 1 song in the world?". The Focus. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  8. ^ Marie, Erika (June 29, 2021). "Jackboy Refuses To Diss Kodak Black: "That's My Brother At The End Of The Day"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  9. ^ Price, Joe (November 19, 2021). "Kodak Black Wants to Make Music With Jackboy But Says Former Collaborator Is Suing Him, Jackboy Responds". Complex. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Alex, Zidel (December 20, 2021). "Kodak Black Is "Clean & Sober" After Getting Out Of Rehab". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Powell, Jon (December 28, 2021). "Latto drops off "Super Gremlin" freestyle". Revolt. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  12. ^ High, Kemet (December 15, 2021). "Best Hip-Hop Producers of 2021". XXL. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  13. ^ Zidel, Alex (December 27, 2021). "Latto Snaps On "Super Gremlin" Freestyle". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  14. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  15. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  16. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  17. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 04-2022". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  19. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  20. ^ https://twitter.com/billboardcharts/status/1503407415676608515
  21. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  22. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  23. ^ "American single certifications – Kodak Black – Super Gremlin". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  24. ^ "‎Super Gremlin by Sniper Gang on Apple Music". October 30, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  25. ^ "Urban/R&B Future Releases (archived)". All Access. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
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