Crazy Kids

"Crazy Kids"

Single cover (will.i.am version)
Single by Kesha featuring will.i.am or Juicy J[1]
from the album Warrior
Released April 30, 2013
Format Digital download
Recorded June 2012
Genre Technopop, hip hop
Length 3:49
Label Kemosabe, RCA
Writer(s) Kesha, Lukasz Gottwald, William Adams, Jordan Houston, Henry Walter, Benjamin Levin
Producer(s) Dr. Luke, Cirkut, Benny Blanco
Kesha singles chronology
"C'Mon"
(2013)		 "Crazy Kids"
(2013)		 "Timber"
(2013)
will.i.am singles chronology
"#thatPower"
(2013)		 "Crazy Kids"
(2013)		 "Bang Bang"
(2013)
Juicy J singles chronology
"Pour It Up (Remix)"
(2013)		 "Crazy Kids"
(2013)		 "Bounce It"
(2013)

"Crazy Kids" is a song by American recording artist Kesha. It was released as the third single for her second studio album Warrior (2012), with will.i.am or Juicy J as a featured artist,[1] depending on the version. An additional remix surfaced online featuring Pitbull. The lyrics were written by Kesha with assistance with Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Cirkut, who also helmed production of the track. Each featured artist wrote their own contribution. The remix with Juicy J was featured on Now That's What I Call Music! 47.

Featuring whistling, the song is of the technopop and hip hop genres. While the album version of the song was praised for the acoustic guitar refrains and electronic and hip hop verses, the rap vocals by will.i.am were ubiquitously met with unfavorable reviews. A music video for the track premiered on MTV on 28 May 2013, followed by the finale of her television documentary, Kesha: My Crazy Beautiful Life. Negative reviews emerged from critics regarding will.i.am's addition to the song, while positive remarks regarding the video, Kesha's outfit in the video, followed; accompanied by comparisons between her Riff Raff and Brooke Candy.

Worldwide, the song has reached moderate success. In the United Kingdom, the record peaked at 27 in the Official Chart.[2] In the United States, the song entered the Hot 100 at number 59 and peaked at number 40 and entered the Mainstream Top 40 at number 22, eventually peaking at number 19. In Australia, the song obtained gold certification with digital sales of over 35,000 units. Crazy Kids" reached the top 10 of the Belgian Ultratip charts; peaking at 5 and 8 in Flanders and Wallonia respectively. The record reached 14 in the charts in both Ireland and Lebano. The track reached its highest peak in South Korea, reaching number 2.

Background and remixes

will.i.am, Pitbull, and Juicy J each contributed separate verses for three separate remixes

The song was recorded for Kesha's second album, Warrior. Kesha stated that the track is this album's version of her 2010 single "We R Who We R".[3] She recorded the song in June 2012.

will.i.am was in a nearby recording studio when he heard Luke, Blanco and Cirkut working with Kesha on the track, and immediately wanted to get involved. He co-wrote the album version and later wrote and recorded a new verse for himself, hoping he would be the featured artist in the song. Initially the record label decided not to include his verse; however, later his verse was included in the single/remix version of the song. In this remix, Kesha's second verse is omitted completely in favor of Will.i.am's verse. It officially impacted Top 40/Mainstream radio on April 29, 2013 and Rhythmic radio on May 7, 2013. It was made available for purchase as a digital download on April 30, 2013. will.i.am produced two other tracks whilst working with Luke, Blanco and Cirkut; they appear on will.i.am's album #willpower.[4]

The second official remix, which features rapper Pitbull, follows the same formula as the will.i.am remix. As with the first remix, the song's second verse removed in favor of Pitbull's new verse and also includes Pitbull speaking during the intro. The third remix, featuring rapper Juicy J, was sent to U.S. Rhythmic radio and became available for purchase as a digital download on May 21, 2013.[5][6] Rap-Up called the Juicy J remix "raucous".[7]

Composition

"Crazy Kids" combines the genres technopop,[8] rap,[9] and hip hop[8] into what VIBE called "hip-pop".[10] Lyrically, "Crazy Kids" was said to establish dualistic personalities for Kesha. The A.V. Club writer Annie Zaleski said: "On the acoustic guitar-driven choruses, she's sweet and melancholy as she reveals her insanity; on the electronic-dipped verses, she unloads snappy hip-hop boasts ("I'm no virgin or no Virgo / I'm crazy that's my word, though") to assert herself."[8][11] Over hip hop dub beats, Kesha raps "coochie" with "Gucci", drops several f-bombs, and contributes her famous sing-rap style vocals in addition to traditional singing.[9] The song prominently features whistling in several areas.[11][12]

Music video

Background and synopsis

In the video, Kesha wore cornrows similar to the ones pictured. Critics congratulated the style-shift, comparing it to her hip hop peers, Riff Raff and Brooke Candy.

The official music video for "Crazy Kids" was filmed on May 9, 2013. The music video was released on May 28, 2013 and was uploaded in her YouTube Vevo account in May 29, 2013.[13]

In the video Kesha wore large platform shoes and gold-rimmed sunglasses, as well as golden heart-shaped earrings.[14] The video contains a scene where Kesha is flanked by chocolate-colored pit bulls, which Liza Darwin of MTV compared to the opening scene of the video for Lana Del Rey's song "Born to Die".[15] In that video, Del Rey is situated between two Bengal tigers.[15] Darwin also commented on Kesha's grill, comparing it to similar attire worn by Iggy Azalea.[15]

Critical reception

The Huffington Post stated that: "in addition to sporting pastel cornrows, [Kesha] wore an outfit that could only be described as ...interesting... her light pink corset under a plaid shirt, [along with] denim hot [daisy dukes] paired with white thigh-high stockings evokes a Christina Aguilera in her 'Your Body'" video, meets James Franco in 'Spring Breakers' vibe".[16] About the video, the rapper tweeted the following: "Just wait until you see what these super sweet biker dudes are doing in my video".[17] PopCrush blogged about the video, saying: "clearly, Kesha, who is quite pretty, is going for the dork look, like Katy Perry did in her 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)' video. But instead of a headgear-and-braces-wearing nerd, she's more of a gangsta geek".[18] Calling the video "an invitation to a lazy-Sunday house party", Canada's MuchMusic wrote that Kesha's "ghetto fabulous" hair and the Hells Angels bikers make the video complete, and that they "loved it".[13] MTV called Kesha's look "eye-popping couture", suggesting the sunglasses as being inspired by Elton John and the braids by fellow rappers Riff Raff[19] and Brooke Candy.[15] Fashion writer Mickey Woods of Glamour affirmed the Brooke Candy comparison.[20] New York magazine' music blog, Vulture, documented a high volume of occult symbolism, specifically that which is conventionally associated with modern perceptions of the Bavarian Illuminati.[21] Amanda Dobbins, the reviewer, toyed with the possibility of Kesha being a whistleblower for the cult, displaying the symbols such as the all-seeing eye tattooed on the rapper's palm, both overtly and excessively in the "Crazy Kids" video.[21] Dobbins wrote: "She keeps waving it around, too, just to make sure that you see it and get mildly anxious about her Illuminati associations." Conversely, Dobbins suggested Kesha is serving consumers the Illuminati angle to snag more views,[21] as Billboard and other mainstream music critics reported with the music video for "Die Young".[22][23][24][25] MTV reported a similar position, noticing a trend with the singer and ocular-themed accessories, namely nail art.[26] Paper blogger Abby Schreiber said: "Never one for subtlety, Ke$ha rocks...an Illuminati tattoo on her hand...."[27]

Reception

Critical response

During their critique of Warrior, Billboard said 'Crazy Kids' displayed Kesha at "her most take-it-or-leave it" and called the beats "grimy".[9] Considering her vocals on "Crazy Kids" as some of the singer's best, Billboard called the chorus a "sing-a-long".[9] Critics compared the track to "Like a G6" by the Far East Movement.[12]

Critics unfavorably reviewed will.i.am's addition to the song. Spin's Mark Hogan said will.i.am's verse delivers "cheap crassness," but praised Kesha's solo version, stating that her "charisma is enough for you to keep from flipping the dial."[28] Hogan also added that while "Crazy Kids" was inferior to will's Britney Spears' collaboration, "Scream & Shout", the song was destined for mainstream top 40 success.[28]

Fans of Kesha were critical towards the addition of will.i.am. The Honesty Hour ran an article stating that the original was "fine" without the additional verse, but that will.i.am can "only help the song" commercially.[29]

Commercial performance

"Crazy Kids" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at 59, and rose to a peak of 40.[30] It also peaked at 19 on the Billboard Pop Songs Chart, becoming her second solo single not to reach the top ten.[31] As of August 2013, the song has sold over 623,000 copies in the U.S. alone. It and "C'Mon" have so far been her only singles to not sell over two million copies.

In the UK, "Crazy Kids" peaked at 27.[2] In Australia the song peaked at 32 on the ARIA charts, obtaining a gold certification with digital sales of over 35,000 units.

Track listing

  1. "Crazy Kids" (featuring will.i.am) — 3:49
  1. "Crazy Kids" (featuring Juicy J) — 3:49
  1. "Crazy Kids" (featuring will.i.am) (Squeaky Clean Radio Edit) — 3:49
  2. "Crazy Kids" (featuring will.i.am) (Radio Edit) — 3:49
  3. "Crazy Kids" (Album version) — 3:49
  1. "Crazy Kids" (featuring will.i.am) — 3:49
  2. "Crazy Kids" (featuring Juicy J) — 3:49
  3. "Crazy Kids" — 3:50
  4. "Crazy Kids" (Instrumental Version) — 3:48
  5. "Crazy Kids" (Video) — 3:47

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 32
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[37] 58
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[38] 5
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[39] 8
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[40] 47
Germany (Official German Charts)[41] 56
Ireland (IRMA)[42] 14
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[43] 14
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[44] 22
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[45] 32
South Korea (GAON)[46] 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[2] 27
US Billboard Hot 100[1] 40
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[47] 32
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[48] 19

Year-end charts

Year Chart Position
2012 South Korea (Gaon International Chart) 198[49]
2013 134[49]

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Venezuela[50] Gold 5,000^
Australia (ARIA)[51] Gold 35,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release history

Country Date Format Version
United States April 29, 2013 Contemporary Hit Radio will.i.am remix
April 30, 2013 Digital download[52]
Australia May 2, 2013 Contemporary hit radio
United States May 7, 2013 Rhythmic radio
May 21, 2013 Rhythmic crossover radio[5] Juicy J Remix
Digital download[6]
United Kingdom June 7, 2013 Digital download will.i.am remix

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ke$ha – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Ke$ha.
  2. 1 2 3 "Official Charts Company archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Massive Beats, Wild Nights and Crazy Tattoos: Kesha rocks out on new album". Rolling Stone.
  4. ↑ "Ke$ha: 'New album is coming soon'". 2012-08-01.
  5. 1 2 "Available for Airplay: June - July". FMQB. May 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  6. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - Crazy Kids (feat. Juicy J) - Single by Ke$ha". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "New Music: Ke$ha f/ Juicy J – 'Crazy Kids (Remix)'". Rap-Up. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 Zaleski, Annie (4 December 2012). "Ke$ha: Warrior - Review". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Ke$ha, 'Warrior': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "New Music: Ke$ha "Crazy Kids"". VIBE. Vibe Media. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  11. 1 2 Rogulewski, Charley (25 November 2012). "NEW MUSIC: Ke$ha -- "Crazy Kids"". VIBE. Vibe magazine. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  12. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (24 November 2012). "Ke$ha's 'Crazy Kids' Hits The Web: Listen". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Ke$ha is a Crazy Kid in new video". MuchMusic. Bell Media. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "Ke$ha Shows Off Dramatic New Look For 'Crazy Kids' Music Video". Capital FM. Global Radio. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Darwin, Liza (28 May 2013). "Ke$ha's 'Crazy Kids Ft. Will.i.am' Music Video: Look By Look". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "Ke$ha Films 'Crazy Kids' Video Looking Like A Thrift Store Threw Up On Her (PHOTOS)". The Huffington Post. AOL. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  17. ↑ Johnson, Zach (10 May 2013). "Ke$ha Rocks Cornrows, Kooky Glasses on "Crazy Kids" Music Video Set". Us Weekly. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  18. ↑ Sciarretto, Amy (10 May 2013). "Kesha Nerds Out in Glasses + Cornrows on Set of ‘Crazy Kids’ Video". PopCrush. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  19. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (30 May 2013). "Ke$ha Borrowed Riff Raff's 'Gangsta' Cornrows For 'Crazy Kids'". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  20. ↑ Woods, Mickey (30 May 2013). "6 Predictably Crazy Things to Love About Ke$ha's New "Crazy Kids" Video". Glamour. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  21. 1 2 3 Dobbins, Amanda (29 May 2013). "'Crazy Kids' Video: Ke$ha Still Working the Illuminati Angle". Vulture. 'New York. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  22. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason. "Ke$ha Shouts-Out Illuminati in 'Die Young' Video: Watch". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  23. ↑ Warner, Kara (8 November 2012). "Ke$ha's 'Die Young' Vid: Wolves, Golden Tooth, Illuminati Galore!". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  24. ↑ Blair, Kevin (8 November 2012). "Ke$ha's 'Die Young' Video Is Full Of Occult Symbolism, Groping And A Touch Of Evil". Star. American Media, Inc. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  25. ↑ Anitai, Tamar (8 November 2012). "9 Extremely Illuminati GIFs From Ke$ha's 'Die Young' Video". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  26. ↑ Flitsch, Byron. "Ke$ha's Awesome Eyeball Nails Look Pretty Illuminati To Us". MTV Buzzworthy. Viacom. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  27. ↑ Schreiber, Abby. "Ke$ha Shows Off Her Illuminati Tattoos, Will.i.am Wears a Holographic Space Suit in "Crazy Kids"". Paper. Paper Publishing Inc. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  28. 1 2 "Ke$ha and will.i.am's Whistling, Whispering 'Crazy Kids' Is All Too Sane" (Web). SPIN. SPIN Media. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  29. ↑ New Music: Ke$ha - 'Crazy Kids (feat. Will I Am)' | The Honesty Hour
  30. ↑ "Ke$ha - Chart history - Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  31. ↑ "Ke$ha - Chart history - Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "iTunes - music - Crazy Kids (feat. will.i.am) - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Crazy Kids (feat. Juicy J) - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  34. ↑ rock'n'soul Ltd. "Ke$ha 3trk PROMO CD Crazy Kids WILL.I.AM KESHA". eBay. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  35. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/crazy-kids-remixes-ep/id658280045
  36. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Ke$ha feat. will.i.am – Crazy Kids". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Ke$ha feat. will.i.am – Crazy Kids" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  38. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ke$ha feat. will.i.am – Crazy Kids" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ke$ha feat. will.i.am – Crazy Kids" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Ke$ha – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Ke$ha.
  41. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Ke$ha feat. will.i.am – Crazy Kids". GfK Entertainment.
  42. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 24, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
  43. ↑ The Official Lebanese Top 20 – Kesha
  44. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2013-07-20". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  45. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201324 into search.
  46. ↑ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Gaon Chart". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  47. ↑ "Ke$ha – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Ke$ha.
  48. ↑ "Ke$ha – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Ke$ha.
  49. 1 2 "GAON DIGITAL CHART : 2012" (in Korean). gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  50. ↑ APFV (November 30, 2013). "Certificaciones De Venezuela Del 2013" (PDF) (in Spanish). APFV. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  51. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  52. ↑ "Amazon.com: Crazy Kids: Ke$ha featuring will.i.am". Amazon.com. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.

External links

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