The Illest

"The Illest"
Single by Far East Movement featuring Riff Raff
from the album KTown Riot
Released July 2, 2013
Format Digital download
Recorded 2013
Genre Hip hop, hip house
Length 3:40
Label Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records
Writer(s) Jae Choung, Virman Coquia, Kevin Nishimura, Horst Simco, A. Schuller
Producer(s) Ricky Reed[1]
Far East Movement singles chronology
"Get Up (Rattle)"
(2012)
"The Illest"
(2013)
Riff Raff singles chronology
"Dolce and Gabbana"
(2013)
"The Illest"
(2013)
"Mr. Popular"
(2013)

"The Illest" is a song by Asian-American hip hop group Far East Movement. It was released on July 2, 2013 as the lead single from their upcoming fifth studio album KTown Riot. "The Illest" was produced by pop-rap band Wallpaper's Ricky Reed and features a guest appearance from American rapper Riff Raff. The song has since peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs. It was used as the theme song for Turbo.

Background

"The Illest" was originally featured on Far East Movement released a mixtape titled GRZZLY that was released on May 29, 2013. Then a few days later the group released a new version of the song, now featuring rapper Riff Raff.[2] On July 2, 2013, the new version was released for digital download as a single by Cherrytree Records and Interscope Records.[3][4] Far East Movement then created a Tumblr titled FuckYeahIllest to help promote the song.[5] The song was then featured on their EP Murder Was the Bass, which was released on December 9, 2013.[6] They also have said the song would be featured on their upcoming fifth studio album.[7]

Music video

The music video was directed by Mike Clattenburg and filmed at Los Angeles Center Studios. It was released on July 23, 2013.[5] It features a blindingly dull office getting raided and destroyed by Far East Movement and Riff Raff, in a manner that nods to Office Space and Workaholics.[8] Additionally the music video features cameo appearances from Lil Debbie, Dumbfoundead, Jeffree Star, Nice Peter among other popular YouTube personalities.[5][9]

Remix

On March 4, 2014, the official remix, mixed by DJ Eman, was released. The remix features guest appearances by Schoolboy Q and B.o.B, as well as Riff Raff's verse from the original.[10][11] On April 16, 2014, an alternate version of the song, featuring a slightly altered arrangement and vocals from Schoolboy Q, was released as a digital download.[12][13]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "The Illest" (featuring Riff Raff)Jae Choung, Virman Coquia, Kevin Nishimura, Horst Simco, A. SchullerWallpaper. 3:40

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Germany (Deutsche Black Charts)[14] 20
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[15] 7
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[16] 18
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[17] 21

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States July 2, 2013 Digital download[3] Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records
February 4, 2014[18] Rhythmic contemporary radio

References

  1. "Far East Movement Wreak Havoc on Office in ‘The Illest’ Music Video « New Music, Music News, Concerts, Gossip – 97.1 AMP RADIO". Amp.cbslocal.com. 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  2. "Far East Movement x Riff Raff - The Illest | Stream". DJBooth.net. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "iTunes - Music - The Illest (feat. Riff Raff) - Single by Far East Movement". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  4. "The Illest [feat. Riff Raff] [Explicit]: Far East Movement: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Far East Movement f/ Riff Raff "The Illest"". Complex. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  6. "Far East Movement's 'Murder Was The Bass' EP Steps Up The BPMs". Vibe. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  7. "Far East Movement and Riff Raff on 'The Illest' Music Video Set | Watch the video - Yahoo Celebrity". Celebrity.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  8. "Watch RiFF RaFF and Far East Movement Update 'Office Space' in 'The Illest' Video | SPIN | Videos". SPIN. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  9. "Far East Movement ft. Riff Raff: The Illest (Music Video)". BallerStatus.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  10. "Far East Movement f. RiFF RaFF, ScHoolboy Q & B.o.B - "The Illest (Remix)"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  11. http://www.vibe.com/article/new-music-far-east-movement-feat-riff-raff-schoolboy-q-and-bob-illest-remix-dj-eman
  12. http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/far-east-movement-feat-schoolboy-q-the-illest-alternate-mix/
  13. "iTunes - Music - The Illest (feat. Schoolboy Q) - Single by Far East Movement". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  14. "Deutsche Black Charts: KW 17". Trendcharts. Media Control. Archived from the original on May 10, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  15. "Far East Movement Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for Far East Movement.
  16. "Far East Movement Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for Far East Movement.
  17. "Far East Movement Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Far East Movement. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  18. "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2014-03-04.