ATM Jam

"ATM Jam" is a song by American rapper Azealia Banks, featuring vocals from Pharrell Williams. The track was released in 2013, originally serving as the second single from Banks' debut studio album, Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). The track debuted on June 29, 2013 as part of the rapper's set at Glastonbury Festival 2013,[1] with New York radio station Hot 97 premiering the clean, shortened version of the studio recording three days later on July 2.[2] On July 11, 2013, the full studio version of "ATM Jam" was officially released for radio airplay on BBC Radio 1.[3] On November 9, 2013, Azealia tweeted that she would be taking "ATM Jam" off the album and that the song was meant to be a "passing chapter" and not a single.[4]

"ATM Jam"
Promotional single by Azealia Banks featuring Pharrell
Released	August 30, 2013
Recorded	2013
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:53
Label	Interscope Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Azealia Banks Jonathan Harris Pharrell Williams
Producer(s)	Pharrell Williams
Music video
"ATM Jam" on YouTube
Remix video
"ATM Jam" (Kaytranada remix) on YouTube

Background

During an interview with BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe—which was broadcast on July 16, 2013[5]—Banks revealed that "ATM Jam" was originally meant for singer Beyoncé Knowles.[6] Explaining how the track then came to be recorded by herself, Banks commented, "She wanted to rap or something and wanted me to write a song, and I could't come up with anything that I thought would be appropriate for her just because I'm so raunchy, but I wrote the song. I wrote like some verses on it and Pharrell was just like 'you should just keep it'".[6]

Years later in an interview with XXL Magazine, Banks discussed her disappointment with the single and its surrounding release. Banks stated that the track was originally a leftover Pharrell sent to late rapper Mac Miller and that her record label, Polydor Records, pushed for the song's release, despite Banks wanting to release "Miss Amor" as the first single from Broke with Expensive Taste. Banks also expressed her frustration at collaborator Pharrell and his lack of promotion regarding the single and further stated that after "ATM Jam" was released, "everything fell apart", Consequently, Banks later exited her record deal with Polydor.[7]

Critical reception

"ATM Jam" received mixed reviews from critics. In a positive review of the single, Josiah Hughes of Exclaim! complimented Banks' collaboration with Pharrell Williams, stating that the two sounded "remarkably good together."[8] Chris Martins of Spin favorably compared Banks' performance to that of fellow rappers Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliott, noting her "crisp delivery and occasional foray into the English accent."[9] In addition, Jordan Sargent of the same publication called "ATM Jam" Banks' "best shot at pop relevancy in the States."[10] In a negative review of the single, Fact criticized Pharrell's performance, calling the hook "flaccid" and stating that, "overall, no one sounds that excited to be on the track."[11]

Music video

Banks originally announced that the video for "ATM Jam" was shot in New York City on July 29, 2013 with director Clarence Fuller.[12] However, the video with Fuller was later scrapped for unknown reasons and re-shot with director Rony Alwin, premiering on October 21, 2013.[13]

Charts

Chart (2013)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[14]	55
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders Urban)[14]	37
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15]	169

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)
Australia[16]	August 30, 2013	Digital download
Finland[17]
Germany[18]
United States[19]	September 3, 2013
United Kingdom[20]	September 27, 2013

References

1. "Azealia Banks Debuts 'ATM Jam' at Glastonbury". Rap-Up. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
2. Mr. North (2 July 2013). "New Music: Azealia Banks Feat. Pharrell "#ATMJAM"". Miss Info. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
3. "NEW MUSIC: AZEALIA BANKS F/ PHARRELL – '#ATMJAM' [FULL]". Rap-Up. July 11, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
4. "Azealia Banks". Twitter. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
5. "Jay-Z Part 2". BBC Radio 1. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
6. "Azealia Banks' Pharrell Williams track 'ATM Jam' was meant for Beyonce". Gigwise. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
7. Weinstein, Max. "Azealia Banks Keeps It Real About Being Shut Out of the Music Industry - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
8. Hughes, Josiah (July 2, 2013). "Azealia Banks "ATM Jam" (ft. Pharrell)". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
9. Martins, Chris (July 2, 2013). "Azealia Banks and Pharrell Rap About Thongs on 'ATM JAM'". Spin. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
10. Sargent, Jordan (July 1, 2013). "Azealia Banks Debuts Jittery, Pharrell-Assisted 'ATM JAM' at Glastonbury". Spin. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
11. "LISTEN TO AZEALIA BANKS' 'ATM JAM', PRODUCED BY AND FEATURING PHARRELL". Fact. July 2, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
12. Banks, Azealia (July 26, 2013). "Twitter / AZEALIABANKS". Twitter. Retrieved July 26, 2013. Shooting the #ATMJAM video in NY on Monday with Clarence Fuller!
13. Rogulewski, Charley (October 20, 2013). "New Video: Azealia Banks feat. Pharrell – 'ATM Jam'". Vibe. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
14. "Ultratop.be – Azealia Banks feat. Pharrell – ATM Jam" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
15. Zywietz, Tobias. "CHART: CLUK Update 12.10.2013 (wk40)". Zobbel. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
16. "ATM Jam (feat. Pharrell) – Single by Azealia Banks". iTunes Store Australia. Apple. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013.
17. "ATM Jam (feat. Pharrell) – Single by Azealia Banks". iTunes Store Finland. Apple. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013.
18. "ATM Jam (feat. Pharrell) – Single by Azealia Banks". iTunes Store Germany. Apple. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
19. "ATM Jam (feat. Pharrell) – Single by Azealia Banks". iTunes Store United States. Apple. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
20. "ATM Jam (feat. Pharrell) – Single by Azealia Banks". iTunes Store United Kingdom. Apple. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013.