Crawl (Childish Gambino song)

"Crawl" (stylized as "I. Crawl") is a song by American rapper Childish Gambino and features additional vocals from Kai and background vocals from Mystikal from his second studio album Because the Internet. The song was released on February 7, 2014 as the second official single from the album. It was produced by production duo Christian Rich and Gambino himself. The song has since peaked at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Crawl"
Single by Childish Gambino featuring Kai
from the album Because the Internet
ReleasedFebruary 7, 2014 (2014-02-07)
Recorded2013
GenreAlternative hip hop
Length3:29
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Childish Gambino singles chronology
"3005"
(2013)		 "Crawl"
(2014)		 "Sweatpants"
(2014)
Kai singles chronology
"Need Your Heart"
(2012)		 "Crawl"
(2013)		 "Never Be like You"
(2016)

Background and composition

On November 22, 2013, Childish Gambino premiered "Crawl" during a performance at College Station, Texas.[1] "Crawl" is an experimental song produced by production duo Christian Rich and Childish Gambino.[2] "Crawl" opens with slasher flick samples.[3] The song has an energetic vibe, featuring a mellow interval with backing vocals from Kai and Mystikal, along with some "Kanye-esque strings."[1][4] In his verses, Gambino raps referential punchlines inspired by internet memes, such as; "ain't nobody got time for that, ain't nobody gotta rhyme with that," and "hashtag, niggas be like."[5]

Release and promotion

On December 10, 2013, Gambino performed "Crawl" along with the album's first single "3005" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[6][7][8][9] "Crawl" was originally released as a promotional single leading up to the album's release, then on February 7, 2014, it was serviced to urban contemporary radio in the United Kingdom as the album's second official single.[10] Also in early February 2014, Gambino performed "Crawl and "3005" on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show.[11] The song is featured in the video game Far Cry 4.

Critical reception

"Crawl" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Drew Blackburn, writing for Paste, said, "'Crawl' borrows production cues from the Kanye and Friends eras of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Cruel Summer. Sonically, it's a grandiose tableau of decadence crumbling with force. Gambino is comfortable here, spewing referential punchlines."[5] Emmanuel C.M. of XXL said, "'Crawl' is a head pounding record that kind of feels like the beginning of a Calvin Harris record, yet it feels like you're about to go on a wild ride."[12] August Brown of Los Angeles Times compared the musical sound of "Crawl" to alternative hip hop group Odd Future.[13] Joe Goggins of The Line of The Best Fit praised the song's production.[14]

Charts
Chart (2013) Peak
position
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[15] 150
UK R&B (OCC)[16] 23
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 86
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] 28

Release history
Country Date Format Country
United Kingdom December 2, 2013 Urban contemporary radio[10]
March 24, 2014 Contemporary hit radio[19]

References
  1. "Childish Gambino Debuts New Song "The Crawl" in Texas". MissInfo.tv. November 22, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  2. "Childish Gambino Performs '3005,' 'Crawl' on 'Jimmy Kimmel'". Theboombox.com. December 11, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  3. Lizzie Plaugic. "Childish Gambino - Because The Internet | Album Reviews". CMJ. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  4. David Jeffries (December 10, 2013). "Because the Internet - Childish Gambino | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  5. "Childish Gambino: Because The Internet :: Music :: Reviews :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. December 13, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  6. "Childish Gambino "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Performances". Complex. December 11, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  7. "Childish Gambino Brings '3005' & 'Crawl' To 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'". Vibe. December 11, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  8. Kaye, Ben (December 11, 2013). "Video: Childish Gambino performs on Kimmel". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  9. "Watch Childish Gambino Throw Down "3005" & "Crawl" On Jimmy Kimmel Live!". TheSource. December 11, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  10. "BBC Radio 1Xtra Playlist". Archived from the original on February 12, 2014.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. Emmanuel C.M. (December 16, 2013). "Childish Gambino Shows His Growth On 'Because The Internet' - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  13. Brown, August (December 9, 2013). "Review: Childish Gambino's 'Because the Internet' plugs tech life". latimes.com. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  14. Goggins, Joe (December 11, 2013). "Album Review: Childish Gambino - Because the Internet". The Line Of Best Fit. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  15. Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK". Zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  16. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  17. "Childish Gambino Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  18. "Childish Gambino Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  19. Lane, Daniel (March 24, 2014). "This Week's New Releases 24-03-2014". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
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