Traktor (song)

"Traktor"
Single by Wretch 32 featuring L
from the album Black and White
Released 16 January 2011
Format Digital Download
Recorded 2010
Genre Hip hop
Length 3:38
Label Ministry of Sound
Producer Yogi
Wretch 32 singles chronology
"Traktor"
(2011)		 "Unorthodox"
(2011)
L singles chronology
"Traktor"
(2011)

"Traktor" is a single from Tottenham-born rapper Wretch 32 that feqtured on his first album and features uncredited vocals from British singer L. The single was released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 16 January 2011 with a 12" vinyl released the following day. On 23 January 2011 the single debuted at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart[1]; also managing to reach number 2 on both the R&B chart and the independent releases chart[2][3].

"Traktor" was selected by Reggie Yates as The Weekend Anthem on BBC Radio 1 for 18 – 19 December 2010.[4]

Contents

Background

Speaking to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Assistant Editor of Blues & Soul - in December 2010 Wretch stated: "'Traktor' is actually about a dad talking to his child. Like on the intro the dad is saying 'Hey, go get a job' and basically telling his son to get outta the house. Then the chorus is actually the son explaining what's going on in his life. Like he's quit school; he hasn't got a job yet; his girl's upset 'cause she's pregnant and - though his daughter's on the way - he keeps on clubbing and raving... But yet through it all he knows that he rides the beat like a TRACTOR - that he's a great RAPPER! You know, though everything is so wild in his life he literally does know that he has got a talent and he wants to stick with it... So yeah, it's basically all about having a gift and taking a risk with the music and BELIEVING in it. Which is pretty much how it is for ME!" [5]

Critical reception

Nick Levine of Digital Spy Blog gave the song a positive review stating: "Though he sounds like a mere number from the Dickensian workhouse, there's nothing anonymous about this debut single."[6]

Track listing

Digital download
No. Title Length
1. "Traktor" (Radio Edit) 3:38
2. "Traktor" (Darwood & Preston Remix) 4:04
3. "Traktor" (Brooks Brothers Remix) 4:25
4. "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Remix) 4:42
5. "Traktor" (Friction Remix) 4:38
6. "Traktor" (Explicit Edit) 3:37
7. "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Go Harder Dub) 4:42
8. "Traktor (Music Version)"   3:51

Chart performance

"Traktor" first debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 23 January 2011 at number 5[1]; marking the week's third highest new entry behind Diddy-Dirty Money and Adele. The following week, the single fell two places to number 7; falling out of the top ten to number 12 on 6 February. The single spent a total of six weeks within the top 40, falling to number 44 on its seventh week on 6 March. The single also debuted at number 2 on the R&B singles chart[2] behind Diddy-Dirty Money and Skylar Grey's "Coming Home" and at number two on the independent releases chart[3] behind Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". The single also debuted in Ireland and Scotland at number 45 on 28 January[7]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of the single "Traktor" was first released on YouTube on 9 November 2010, directed by Ben Newman. The video lasts 3 minutes and 47 seconds long. The video opens with the digits '32' forming out of ice; before the song begins, in which Wretch 32, L and a female actress are all show in between the flashing of lights. The video takes place in an underground and empty car park and features Wretch 32 and L performing alongside with the song, while the female mimics the song by playing the drums; also dancing.[8]

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[7] 45
Scotland (The Official Charts Company)[9] 8
UK Indie (The Official Charts Company)[3] 2
UK R&B (The Official Charts Company)[2] 2
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[1] 5

Release history

Region Date Format
Ireland[10] 16 January 2011 Digital Download
United Kingdom[11] 16 January 2011
17 January 2011 Vinyl

References

  1. ^ a b c "Archive Chart" UK Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company.
  2. ^ a b c "Archive Chart" UK R&B Chart. The Official Charts Company.
  3. ^ a b c "Archive Chart" UK Indie Chart. The Official Charts Company.
  4. ^ BBC Radio 1 - Switch - 20 December 2010 - Tracklisting, Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  5. ^ Wretch 32 interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' January 2011
  6. ^ Music – Singles Review – Wretch 32: 'Traktor'. Digital Spy (2011-01-16). Retrieved on 2011-01-23.
  7. ^ a b "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association.
  8. ^ Wretch 32 - Traktor - Music Video, YouTube, Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  9. ^ "Archive Chart". Scottish Singles Top 40. The Official Charts Company.
  10. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/traktor-feat.-l/id403696975
  11. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/traktor-feat.-l/id403696975
Wretch 32
Studio albums
Wretchrospective (2008)  • Black and White (2011)
Singles
"Traktor" (with L)  • "Unorthodox" (with Example)  • "Don't Go" (with Josh Kumra)  • "Forgiveness" (with Etta Bond)
Featured singles
Other songs
Related articles