"Snapbacks & Tattoos" is the debut single by American rapper Driicky Graham, released on March 20, 2012.[1] The song was produced by Yung Berg and Arch Tha Boss. It is Graham's most successful song and appears on the soundtrack of the 2013 film Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain.
| "Snapbacks & Tattoos" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Driicky Graham | ||||
| Released | March 20, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:29 | |||
| Label | eOne | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Driicky Graham singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Snapbacks & Tattoos" on YouTube | ||||
| Remix cover | ||||
.jpg) Cover art of the official remix. | ||||
Background edit
In an interview with BET, Driicky Graham stated the song came from him being inspired by his first tattoo, which was of his babysitter who had died. He added, "And, of course, snapbacks is just fashion that I see everybody wearing. It's not something even new — you can look at a movie like Juice or something like that and just see that snapbacks were in even back then. It's just something that's a part of our culture in general."[2] With regard to the production, Yung Berg told AllHipHop:
The "Snapbacks and Tattoos" beat, I originally thought Big Sean should have had the record. We changed the beat like seven different times. The thing was, I didn't know what to do with it. I cut a mixtape verse to it – I didn't like it. So, I played it on my TV for Driicky when he was in Miami, and the rest is history. He left with the beat.
Berg also stated he did not have a chance to mix the record.[3]
Critical reception edit
Deen of Passion of the Weiss gave a favorable review of the song, writing "this is an excellent piece of pop rap genius. It's just catchy as all the fucks. The hook is great and so is the rapping (even if Driicky over reaches a bit on technique near the end of the first verse. Just chill bruh, you ain't got it like that yet). But the star of the show is really the beat. The production probably owes major debts to the shit Diplo did for Chris Brown and Bangladesh's crazed 808 experiments ('A Milli' et al.), but that's irrelevant. This shit is great. A little Swizzy, oops I meant busy at points, but I'd have a lot of difficulty resisting this shit after about 8 beers and in the presence of tits."[4]
Complex included the song in their list "The 10 Worst Songs About Tattoos".[5]
Remixes edit
A remix of the song featuring American rapper Soulja Boy was released on June 8, 2012,[6] which sees him boasting about his wealthy lifestyle involving traveling and women.[7] The official remix was released on August 8, 2012, and features American rappers Roscoe Dash, French Montana and Cash Out.[8][9][10][11] Rapper Bow Wow was planned to also appear on the remix, but his verse was cut.[11]
Charts edit
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 73 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] | 23 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[14] | 12 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ "Snapbacks & Tattoos - Single". Apple Music. March 20, 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ Gale, Alex (May 30, 2012). "Driicky Graham Talks Label Deal, New Mixtape". BET. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ T, Mikey (August 7, 2012). "EXCLUSIVE: Yung Berg Details Creation Of "Snapbacks & Tattoos"; Soulja Boy Remix On The Way". AllHipHop. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "The MobbDeen Song of the Day: Driicky Graham – Snapbacks & Tattoos…". Passion of the Weiss. April 19, 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ Schonberger, Nick (August 11, 2012). "The 10 Worst Songs About Tattoos". Complex. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ Ill Will, DJ (June 8, 2012). "Snapbacks & Tattoo's (Remix)". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "New Music: Soulja Boy - 'Snapbacks & Tattoos (Remix)'". Rap-Up. June 7, 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ Lilah, Rose (August 8, 2012). "Snap Backs & Tattoos (Remix)". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ Diep, Eric (August 9, 2012). "Listen: Driicky Graham f/ French Montana, Roscoe Dash, & Cash Out "Snapbacks & Tattoos (Remix)"". Complex. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "Driicky Graham ft. Roscoe Dash, French Montana & Ca$h Out – Snapbacks & Tattoos Remix". Uproxx. August 9, 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ a b "New Music: Driicky Graham f/ Roscoe Dash, French Montana, & Ca$h Out - 'Snapbacks & Tattoos (Remix)'". Rap-Up. August 9, 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of August 4, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of August 11, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "Hot Rap Songs: Week of August 11, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Driicky Graham – Snapbacks & Tattoos". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 25, 2023.