Hard in da Paint

"Hard in da Paint"
Single by Waka Flocka Flame
from the album Flockaveli
Released May 13, 2010
Format Digital download
Recorded 2008
Genre Gangsta Rap, Hardcore Hip Hop, Trap
Length 4:03
Label 1017 Brick Squad, Warner Bros., Asylum
Writer(s) Juaquin Malphurs, Lexus Arnel Lewis
Producer(s) Lex Luger
Certification 2x Platinum (RIAA)
Waka Flocka Flame singles chronology
"Bingo"
(2010)		 "Hard in da Paint"
(2010)		 "No Hands"
(2010)

"Hard in da Paint" is the second single from American rapper Waka Flocka Flame's first studio album, Flockaveli.[1]

Background

"Hard in da Paint", like "O Let's Do It", was originally a mixtape track.[2] The song was produced by then up and coming producer Lex Luger.[3][4]

Music video

The music video was released on July 19, 2010. During the music video the production was shut down by gang activity and police presence.[2] The music video was directed by Benny Boom.[2] It was shot in Baldwin Village, Los Angeles, also known as the Jungles, a neighborhood made infamous courtesy of the Denzel Washington movie "Training Day." [2]

Remixes

The official remix features R&B singer Ciara and American rapper Gucci Mane.[4] There's also a remix with rapper French Montana.

Rick Ross released a freestyle over the production, as well as We the Best Music Group's artist Vado, Lil Flip, Haystak, Young Jeezy, Tyga, Lil Chuckee, Curren$y, Jay Rock, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Meek Mill and Slim Thug.

There is also a remix performed by drummer Travis Barker.

2 Chainz, Young Jeezy and Pusha T made version titled "Hard in the Kitchen".[5] UK rapper Giggs also made his own version.

Canadian jazz/instrumental hip hop band, BADBADNOTGOOD did an arrangement of the song.[6]

Metalcore band Of Mice & Men includes excerpts of Hard In Da Paint in the Warped Tour remix of their single OG Loko.

Reception

Pitchfork listed the track #41 on their 200 Best Songs of the 2010's decade so far in 2015. [7]

Alterations

A popular video parody of "Hard in da Paint" was posted on YouTube, with Barack Obama as the subject of the song. The "Baracka Flacka Flames: Head of the State" video has gained over 11.3 million views as of 2014.

A remix by The Hood Internet which contains Waka Flocka's lyrics over a Flock of Seagulls, called "Waka Flocka Seagulls" has also been made[8]

Miscelleanous artists use Hard in da Paint's beat for their own songs, for instance Californian rapper Tyga in his freestyle track Hard in the Paint and German hip hop group Zugezogen Maskulin in their song Undercut, Tumblrblog.

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Heatseekers Songs[9] 14
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[9] 28
U.S. Billboard Rap Songs[9] 20
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100[10] 11

References

  1. ↑ "Connecting to the iTunes Store". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Rodriguez, Jayson (19 July 2010). "Waka Flocka Flame 'Hard In Da Paint' Video Premieres". MTV.com. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  3. ↑ Luger, Lex (22 July 2010). "WAKA FLOCKA FLAME - HARD IN DA PAINT PRODUCED BY LEX LUGER". YouTube.com. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Waka Flocka Flame Got Crunk And Earned A 'Hottest Breakthrough MCs Of 2010' Nod". MTV.comuydjyt. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  5. ↑ "Tity Boi f. Young Jeezy & Pusha T - Hard In the Kitchen Rmx | New Hip Hop Music & All The New Rap Songs 2011". HipHop DX. 2011-02-11. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  6. ↑ http://badbadnotgood.bandcamp.com/album/bbngsingle
  7. ↑ http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/9466-the-top-200-tracks-of-2010-2014/8/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ "Waka Flocka Seagulls". Youtube.com. 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Hard in Da Paint". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  10. ↑ "WebCite query". Webcitation.org. Retrieved 2012-07-31.