Check It Out (song)

Check It Out (song)
"Check It Out"
Single by will.i.am and Nicki Minaj
Released September 3, 2010 (2010-09-03)
(See release history)
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded 2010
Genre Hip hop, dance-pop
Length 4:11
Label will.i.am music
Writer(s) Onika Maraj, William Adams, Geoff Downes, Trevor Horn, Bruce Woolley
Producer will.i.am
will.i.am singles chronology
"OMG"
(2010)
"Check It Out"
(2010)
"Free"
(2011)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"2012 (It Ain't the End)"
(2010)
"Check It Out"
(2010)
"Monster"
(2010)

"Check It Out" is a song performed by American rapper will.i.am and Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj.[1] The song, written by will.i.am and Minaj, samples the 1979 hit single, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. After release, it debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 78 and number 48 on the Canadian Hot 100. It appears on Minaj's debut album, Pink Friday,[2] though it was not released in promotion of the album. The UK version also features additional vocals from will.i.am's close friend, British singer Cheryl Cole.[3]

Contents

Background

The song heavily samples The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star".

The song samples "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. Minaj stated in a past interview with Entertainment Weekly that she was working with producer will.i.am on her latest album, not hinting at whether it was a production or a featured help, stating; "Just something for my album that I’m really excited about.”[4][5] An unofficial mix of the song ended up leaking onto the internet August 27, 2010, two weeks before its official release.[6]

In an interview with MTV News Minaj commented on her collaboration with the producer will.i.am stating; "I worked with tons of producers on my album, shout out to all of them. Will’s the only producer that produced me. He really sat there and got this weird sound, and I was like, ‘What?’ It was so simple. He was sitting there and he made the beat on the spot."[7] She continued on saying that "I was sitting there, and it was like five minutes later, he finished the beat!"[8] The Buggles, the British band behind the original, performed the updated record "Check It Out" at shows at London’s Supperclub and The British Music Experience at the O2. Lead singer Trevor Horn commented on his song being sampled by the duo by stating “We’re very happy because it means we made a little bit of money for it.”[9]

Composition and critical reception

"Check It Out" features the nearly constant repetition of the piano and vocal hook from The Buggles' 1979 classic 'Video Killed the Radio Star,' which is famous for being the first video ever played on MTV.[10] The song received mixed reviews from critics. Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio Blog states that the "Incessant 'Oh-a oh's' pretty much bore a hole in your head, the duo verbally flip the bird to their haters while on their way into the hottest dance club in town."[10] Wilkening gave the songs lyrics a negative review stating "If you're looking for deep lyrical insights, jeez, are you at the wrong party."[10] Becky Bain of Idolator gave the song a positive review stating, "We almost want to cry foul for taking an extremely beloved 80s song (okay, the song was released in 1979 but the video debuted in 1981) and appropriating it for a modern-day hip-hop song, just because that’s become so commonplace it’s an uncreative, predictable way to get attention for your song. But… but… but… we can’t hate. We love this. We have no taste. It’s just too much fun—we can easily see this getting massive radio play like her other let’s-sample-another-popular-song-from-another-decade hit and make people's ears bleed, “Your Love”. What say you?"[11] Entertainment Weekly put the single as their #2 of "The Must List" stating, "The Black Eyed Peas front-man and hip-hop's reigning femme fatale make ingenious use of those famous coos from the 1979 Buggles hit "Video Killed the Radio Star" to create an irresistible party-starter."[12]

UK remix

Cheryl Cole was featured on the song's UK mix.

The UK version features Cheryl Cole, but both versions of the song were released in the UK for digital download on October 31, 2010 and CD on November 1, 2010. It is listed as the "Special Mix" on iTunes.[13] A new version of the music video was released on 11 November 2010. This music video was for the UK 'Special Mix' which features Cole. The video is mostly the same as the original with added new video clips that includes Cole.[14][15]

Music video

A music video for the single was shot over the weekend of September 26 in a studio in Los Angeles director Rich Lee.[7] In an interview with MTV News Will.i.am stated "You can expect to see a bunch of flyness as far as the outfits. When I say flyness, I’m talking about Nicki’s outfits. She’s looking super-duper fly and whatnot."[7] The video is a tribute to Japanese anime. Nicki also commented on the video shoot and its theme, stating "We’re doing almost like an ode to Japanese culture and Japanese anime. I’m obviously a big fan and I’ve joined forces with like the only boy that I know that’s also able to capture that culture."[7] A behind the scenes video was released along with the interview.[16] This is however in contrast to both the spoken introduction of the video and the words popping up during the video; the words are written in hangul, the Korean alphabet, and the intro is spoken in Korean language.

The music video for the single was released October 25, 2010.[17] The video starts on a simple soundstage. A gentleman introduces the pair to an audience of women similarly dressed in black and sporting boxy sunglasses. As the song begins playing from a boom box, Minaj — wearing a creatively shaped teal, cream and mauve hat, blond wig and tan outfit — raps to the camera that she's a "savage/ Haters you can kill yourself." When the chorus arrives, so do two will.i.ams dressed in white jackets, striped shirts and black pants. Then two dancers, clad in futuristic clothing and goggles, begin grooving and suddenly multiply into five more clones all executing the same moves. The scene flips back to the camera featuring Nicki, and there's now only one will.i.am and two Nicksters. When the beat slows down for the song's bridge, Minaj is in a new outfit, a pink and white bodysuit with a black wig. Then will.i.am, who received flack for performing during the VMAs in what many described as black face, appears in what one could call "white face." He becomes a black and white cartoon, whose face is white but hair is black, as he rhymes "step up to my level need to grow a little taller." The video ends with Minaj and Will striking poses.

Live performances

Minaj and will.i.am appeared together at the 2010 VMA's Pre-show, where the duo performed "Check It Out" as well as Minaj appearing alone to perform her single "Your Love".[18][19] Rap-Up magazine said the performance had eccentric dancing and pink escapades.[19] However a Chris Ryan from MTV Buzzworthy was less impressed with the duo appearing as The Jetsons. He said "The WTF? ... Look, we LOVE Nicki Minaj. We would fake-marry her if Drake hadn't already fake-married her. And one thing we really, really love about Nicki Minaj is the wild and crazy looks she breaks out. But given the flack he's taken in the last few days over his, um, unique choice in attire, she might have wanted to pregame with Will.i.am a little harder, regarding his stage fashion."[20] He later went on to say that Minaj's performance lived up to expectations. "And of course, Nicki more than delivered. Harajuku Barbie really brought the house down with "Check It Out", You have to see it to believe it."[21]

However will.i.am attracted negative media criticism for his choice of outfit, consisting of: "an all black leather outfit with matching all black make-up".[22] Sean Michaels of The Guardian said "It was a look more Max Headroom than Al Jolson, but never underestimate the Internet's capacity for righteous indignation",[23] while fans "comparing his makeup to the racist 19th century blackface minstrel shows."[22] "1st. just because I where [sic] all black including head mask as expression and emphasize my outfit, it shouldn’t be looked at as racial…, let go of the past. there are far more important things 2 bark about. (Jobs, health, education) not a black man wearing all black everything. Are you guys serious? my outfit set “black people back 100 yrs” choose your twits wisely. no education sets people back, no jobs, bad health."[22] Minaj agreed with Will.i.am's decision and attire in an interview with Hot 97’s Funkmaster Flex stating "You can’t expect him to make common folk happy."[24]

The duo also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman on October 4, 2010.[25] The performance recalled some of the elements of their VMA performance, including the two female back-up dancers and Minaj's hype man S.B. wearing a Pink Friday t-shirt.[26] Both later performed the single on the Live with Regis & Kelly show on October 11, 2010. Minaj performed in a blonde wig, kaleidoscopic Marc Bouwer couture dress, and Christian Louboutin ankle boots.[27]

The Buggles have performed the song twice, in 2010 and in 2011.

Personnel

Source:[28]

Track listing

  1. "Check It Out" – 4:11
  2. "Check It Out" [Special Mix] (featuring Cheryl Cole) – 4:11
  • Remixes download[30]
  1. "Check It Out" (Benny Benassi Remix) – 5:55
  2. "Check It Out" (Shameboy Remix) – 5:11

Charts

Chart (2010–11) Peak
positions
Australia (ARIA)[31] 21
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[32] 4
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[33] 2
Czech Republic (IFPI)[34] 52
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[35] 14
Denmark (IFPI Dance)[36] 40
European Hot 100 Singles[37] 36
Ireland (IRMA)[38] 14
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[39] 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[40] 27
Scotland (The Official Charts Company)[41] 12
Slovakia (IFPI)[42] 26
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[43] 11
US Billboard Hot 100[44] 24
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[45] 48
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[46] 100
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[47] 21
US Rap Songs (Billboard)[48] 14

Release history

Country Date Type
United States[49][50] September 3, 2010 Digital download
September 14, 2010[51] Mainstream radio
October 19, 2010[52] Urban radio
United Kingdom[53] October 31, 2010 Digital download
November 1, 2010 CD single

References

  1. ^ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/column-the-juice/nicki-minaj-will-i-am-become-superheroes-1004113141.story. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  2. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson; Marino, Kelly (2010-09-27). "will.i.am And Nicki Minaj's 'Check It Out' Video An 'Ode To Anime'". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1648826/20100927/minaj__nicki.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-09-28. 
  3. ^ James Barr. (2010-10-12). The James Barr Show. Galaxy FM (The Galaxy Network). Aired 2010-10-12
  4. ^ "Nicki Minaj Collaborates with will.i.am on Emotional Album". Rap-Up.com. 2010-07-24. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/07/24/nicki-minaj-collaborates-with-will-i-am-on-emotional-album/. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  5. ^ Pastorek, Whitney (2010-07-23). "Nicki Minaj drops new hints about her debut album (will.i.am!), needs someone to make her an Annie Lennox mixtape | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/07/23/nicki-minaj-debut-album-annie-lennox/. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  6. ^ "New Music: Nicki Minaj f/ will.i.am – ‘Check It Out’". Rap-Up.com. 2010-08-27. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/08/27/new-music-nicki-minaj-f-will-i-am-check-it-out/. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  7. ^ a b c d "NICKI MINAJ & WILL.I.AM GO BACK TO THE FUTURE IN ‘CHECK IT OUT’ VIDEO". Rap-Up.com. October 26th, 2010. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/09/27/nicki-minaj-will-i-am-go-back-to-the-future-in-check-it-out-video/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  8. ^ "will.i.am And Nicki Minaj Get Futuristic On 'Check It Out' Video Set". MTV. 9/28/10. http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/577182/william-and-nicki-minaj-get-futuristic-on-check-it-out-video-set.jhtml. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  9. ^ "VIDEO: THE BUGGLES COVER NICKI MINAJ & WILL.I.AM’S ‘CHECK IT OUT’". Rap-Up.com. October 1st, 2010. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/10/01/video-the-buggles-cover-nicki-minaj-will-i-ams-check-it-out/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  10. ^ a b c Posted on Sep 2nd 2010 12:09PM by Matthew Wilkening (2010-09-02). "Nicki Minaj & will.i.am, 'Check It Out' - New Song". AOL Radio Blog. http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/09/02/nicki-minaj-will-i-am-check-it-out/. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  11. ^ "Nicki Minaj And Will.i.am “Check It Out” In New 80s-Sampling Track | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. 2010-08-27. http://idolator.com/5608141/nicki-minaj-will-i-am-check-it-out. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  12. ^ Entertainment Weekly #1122 October 1, 2010 Page 15
  13. ^ "Check It Out" single iTunes Store. Retrieved on 9 November 2010.
  14. ^ "Cheryl Cole Official Website". Cheryl Cole. http://www.cherylcole.com/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  15. ^ Johnson, Chris (Nov 12, 2010). "Check It Out! Cheryl Cole plays it cheesy for cameo in Will.i.am video featuring hot new American export Nicki Minaj". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1328906/Cheryl-Cole-cameos-Will-video-featuring-Nicki-Minaj.html?ito=feeds-newsxml. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  16. ^ "will.i.am And Nicki Minaj Get Futuristic On 'Check It Out' Video Set". MTV. 9/28/10. http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/577182/nicki-minaj-and-william-get-futuristic-on-check-it-out-video-set.jhtml. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  17. ^ "Video: will.i.am x Nicki Minaj – ‘Check It Out’". Rap-Up.com. Oct 25, 2010. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/10/25/video-will-i-am-x-nicki-minaj-check-it-out/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  18. ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums. "Nicki Minaj, Will.i.am Perform Their Duet At VMAs - Billboard Underground". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/column-the-juice/nicki-minaj-will-i-am-perform-their-duet-1004114103.story#/column-the-juice/nicki-minaj-will-i-am-perform-their-duet-1004114103.story. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  19. ^ a b "Video: Nicki Minaj Performs at VMA Pre-Show". Rap-Up.com. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/09/12/video-nicki-minaj-performs-at-vma-pre-show/. Retrieved 2010-09-20. 
  20. ^ "2010 MTV VMAs Live Performances: The Bold, The Beautiful And The WTF?! » MTV Buzzworthy Blog". Buzzworthy.mtv.com. http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/09/14/2010-mtv-vmas-live-performances-the-bold-the-beautiful-and-the-wtf/. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  21. ^ "Check It Out! Watch Nicki Minaj And Will.i.am Perform At The 2010 MTV VMAs! » MTV Buzzworthy Blog". Buzzworthy.mtv.com. 2010-09-13. http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/09/13/nicki-minaj-2010-mtv-vma-performance-vide/. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  22. ^ a b c Wete, Brad (2010-09-13). "will.i.am attacked online for 'blackface' makeup at VMAs pre-show, hits Twitter to defend himself | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/09/13/will-i-am-vmas-pre-show-makeup/. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  23. ^ Sean Michaels. "Will.I.Am defends 'blackface' performance at MTV VMAs | Music | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/15/will-i-am-mtv-vmas. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  24. ^ "Nicki Minaj Gives Bieber Fever, Defends will.i.am’s Black Face". Rap-Up.com. 2010-09-23. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/09/23/nicki-minaj-gives-bieber-fever-defends-will-i-ams-black-face/. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  25. ^ "Nicki Minaj and will.i.am to Perform on 'Letterman'". Rap-Up.com. Oct 2, 2010. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/10/02/nicki-minaj-and-will-i-am-to-perform-on-letterman/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  26. ^ "Video: Nicki Minaj and will.i.am Perform on 'Letterman'". Rap-Up.com. Oct 4, 2010. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/10/04/video-nicki-minaj-and-will-i-am-perform-on-letterman/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  27. ^ "Video: Nicki Minaj and will.i.am Rock 'Regis and Kelly'". Rap-Up.com. Oct 11, 2010. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/10/11/video-nicki-minaj-and-will-i-am-rock-regis-and-kelly/. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  28. ^ (2010) Album notes for Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj. Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, Universal Motown Records.
  29. ^ "Amazon UK > Check It Out". Amazon UK. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0045C35CE. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  30. ^ "Check It Out! (The Remixes) - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/check-it-out-the-remixes-single/id403747418. Retrieved 2011-07-29. 
  31. ^ "Australian-charts.com – will.i.am & Nicki Minaj – Check It Out!". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  32. ^ "Ultratop.be – will.i.am & Nicki Minaj – Check It Out!" (in Dutch). Ultratip. ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  33. ^ "Ultratop.be – will.i.am & Nicki Minaj – Check It Out!" (in French). Ultratip. ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  34. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201106 into search. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
  35. ^ "will.i.am & Nicki Minaj Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for will.i.am & Nicki Minaj. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  36. ^ "Danish Dance Chart". M&I Service & IFPI. http://www.webcitation.org/5tWg5Jg09. Retrieved 16 October 2010. 
  37. ^ "Nicki Minaj feat. will.i.am Album & Song Chart History" European Hot 100 for Nicki Minaj feat. will.i.am. Prometheus Global Media.
  38. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association.
  39. ^ "Japan Hot 100: Week of March 05, 2011". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/japan-hot-100?chartDate=2011-03-05. Retrieved 2011-03-04. 
  40. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – will.i.am & Nicki Minaj search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  41. ^ "Archive Chart". Scottish Singles Top 40. The Official Charts Company.
  42. ^ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201101 into search.
  43. ^ "Archive Chart" UK Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company.
  44. ^ "will.i.am & Nicki Minaj Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for will.i.am & Nicki Minaj. Prometheus Global Media.
  45. ^ "will.i.am & Nicki Minaj Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play for will.i.am & Nicki Minaj. Prometheus Global Media.
  46. ^ "will.i.am Album & Song Chart History" Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for will.i.am. Prometheus Global Media.
  47. ^ "will.i.am Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for will.i.am. Prometheus Global Media.
  48. ^ "will.i.am & Nicki Minaj Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Rap Songs for will.i.am & Nicki Minaj. Prometheus Global Media.
  49. ^ "Check It Out - Single by will.i.am & Nicki Minaj - Download Check It Out - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-09-03. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/check-it-out-single/id391025074. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  50. ^ "Releases : Nicki Minaj". Mypinkfriday.com. http://mypinkfriday.com/releases. Retrieved 2010-09-23. 
  51. ^ "CHR/Top 40". R&R - Going For Adds. September 14, 2010. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=09/14/2010&Format=1. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  52. ^ "All Access > Urban > Future Releases". AllAccess.com. http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  53. ^ "Future Releases". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlereviews/. 

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