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If You Know You Know

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This article is about the Pusha T song. For the slang term, see Iykyk.
"If You Know You Know"
Song by Pusha T
from the album Daytona
ReleasedMay 25, 2018
GenreHip hop
Length3:22
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)West
Music video
"If You Know You Know" on YouTube

"If You Know You Know" is a song by American rapper Pusha T from his fifth studio album Daytona (2018). Produced by Kanye West, it contains a sample of "Twelve O' Clock Santanial" by the 1970s Michigan hard rock band Air.

Composition

[edit]

In the beginning of the song, Pusha T raps over a light snare,[1] alluding to his criminal past[2] and criticizing rappers who pretend to be involved in illegal drug trade[1][2] while referencing Pink Floyd, Trugoy the Dove, "Niggas in Paris", Hit-Boy, "Throw Some D's" and Rich Boy,[2][3] before the beat drops.[1][2] The main production contains ticking hi-hats,[4] as well as snippets of ragga chants and a digital dancehall rhythm which are sampled from "Twelve O' Clock Santanial".[5] Lyrically, Pusha T references his history of dealing drugs;[5][6] he imagines being part of a "fraternity of drug dealers" who have reformed,[2][6] takes credit for "showing rappers how to stand on the front lines when trappers started throwing bands",[7] and implies that only those who are or have participated in drug dealing will fully comprehend his lyrics ("If you know, you know").[8]

Critical reception

[edit]

The song was well-received by music critics. Ben Devlin of MusicOMH stated, "Pusha T's subject matter is well worn by now, his drug kingpin boasts familiar to anyone with an interest in American rap. His wordplay makes it, the hook of opening track If You Know You Know being a prime example".[9] William Ketchum III of HipHopDX was favorable of Kanye West's influence, commenting that the song "shows off Ye's expert vocal chops".[7] Gary Suarez of Consequence of Sound wrote "The flawless opening lines of 'If You Know You Know' capture everything America has come to love about capitalist rap, that by-any-means braggadocio of self-made men and their flashy trophies."[10] Reviewing Daytona for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica wrote "On songs like 'If You Know You Know,' he sometimes raps so crisply and sparsely — 'A rapper turned trapper can't morph into us / But a trapper turned rapper can morph into Puff' — that he almost feels disconnected from the song's rhythm."[11] Anthony Henderson of The Quietus called the song "sonically dense" and described it as "an energised, low-key banger which works with an appealingly teasing premise: no matter what, certain (read: most) of the population will never be able to totally unpack his coded language."[8] Matthew St. Cyr of RapReviews praised Pusha T "showing the rest of us mortals how to flip a drug metaphor like a professional".[1]

Live performances

[edit]

Pusha T performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 1, 2018.[12]

Music video

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The music video premiered on June 13, 2018 exclusively on Spotify in vertical format, before an expanded and official version in horizontal format was released on June 20, 2018. Directed by Shomi Patwary, it sees Pusha T driving in a white[13][14][15] Ferrari[13][16] through a desert road[13][17][18] in Joshua Tree National Park[19][20] at sunset[14] and rapping.[15][16][17] He is pulled over by a police officer,[15][17][18][21] who calls for backup. Soon, there are three police cars at the scene along with a dog and drone.[14][15][17] A group of officers corner and hold Pusha T at gunpoint,[14][15][17][22] preparing to interrogate him.[20] As he steps out of the car with his hands behind his head, lightning flashes across the sky and dogs snarl.[14] Nevertheless, Pusha remains calm and collected without fear,[14][17] and raps amid red and blue siren lights.[13]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[23] 92
New Zealand Heatseeker Singles (RMNZ)[24] 7
UK Singles (OCC)[25] 93
US Billboard Hot 100[26] 73
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[27] 35

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[28] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d St. Cyr, Matthew (October 9, 2018). "Pusha T :: Daytona :: GOOD Music/Def Jam Records". RapReviews. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Brydon, Grant (May 25, 2018). "Pusha T – Daytona". Clash. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  3. ^ Chintaluri, Narsimha (June 1, 2018). "Pusha T "DAYTONA" Review". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  4. ^ Purdom, Clayton (May 25, 2018). "The bracing, brilliant Daytona is uncut Pusha T". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Reeves, Mosi (May 29, 2018). "Review: Pusha-T and Producer Kanye West Thrillingly Sharp on 'Daytona'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Glaysher, Scott (June 13, 2018). "Pusha-T's Coke Raps Reach New Highs on 'Daytona' Album". XXL. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b Ketchum III, William (May 25, 2018). "Review: Pusha T's "DAYTONA" Is Predictable But Potent". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Henderson, Anthony (June 21, 2018). "Pusha T - Daytona". The Quietus. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  9. ^ Devlin, Ben (May 21, 2018). "Pusha T – Daytona". MusicOMH. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  10. ^ Suarez, Gary (May 30, 2018). "Pusha-T Adds to His Weighty Legacy on DAYTONA". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  11. ^ Caramanica, Jon (May 30, 2018). "Pusha-T, a Lecturer Seeking a Target, Finds One". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Pusha T - If You Know You Know (Live From Jimmy Kimmel Live!)". YouTube. June 1, 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d Slingerland, Calum (June 19, 2018). "Pusha-T Shares Official Video for "If You Know You Know"". Exclaim!. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Madden, Sidney (June 20, 2018). "Facing Police, Pusha T Remains Stoic In 'If You Know You Know' Video". NPR. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e Jones, Jiggy (June 22, 2018). "Pusha T Drops the Music Video for 'If You Know You Know'". The Source. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  16. ^ a b Hahn, Bryan (June 20, 2018). "Pusha T Releases Official "If You Know You Know" Video". HipHopDX. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Griffin, Noemi (June 20, 2018). "Watch Pusha T Get Surrounded by Cops in "If You Know You Know" Video". Paste. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b Cook-Wilson, Winston (June 20, 2018). "Watch a New Expanded Version of Pusha T's "If You Know You Know" Video". Spin. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  19. ^ Giulione, Bianca (June 20, 2018). "Watch Pusha-T's "If You Know You Know" Video". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  20. ^ a b Maicki, Salvatore (June 20, 2018). "Watch Pusha-T's new video for "If You Know You Know"". The Fader. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  21. ^ Penrose, Nerisha (June 13, 2018). "Pusha T Has a Run-In With a Cop in 'If You Know You Know' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  22. ^ Ross, Alex Robert (June 13, 2018). "PUSHA-T Gets Harassed by Cops in the New "If You Know You Know" Video". Vice. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Pusha T Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  24. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  26. ^ "Pusha T Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "Pusha T Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  28. ^ "American single certifications – Pusha T – If You Know You Know". Recording Industry Association of America.
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