Ay!
"Ay!" | ||||
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Single by Machine Gun Kelly and Lil Wayne | ||||
from the album Mainstream Sellout | ||||
Released | March 4, 2022 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:04 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Machine Gun Kelly singles chronology | ||||
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Lil Wayne singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Ay!" on YouTube |
"Ay!" (stylized in
Background
In February 2022, Machine Gun Kelly performed a snippet of the song at
Composition
"Ay!" is an emo rap[1] song that blends elements of pop punk and trap,[2] featuring "brooding but dreamy guitar loop with crisp hip-hop production". Machine Gun Kelly sings about sadness affecting his life, including "his preference for sad playlists, skipping meetings, and sleeping until 7 p.m."; he mentions cutting his hair and compares it to Britney Spears shaving her hair off in 2007 during her breakdown.[5] Lil Wayne's verse has a reference to Guns N' Roses.[1]
Reception
AllMusic said "the watery emo-trap track "Ay!" doesn't commit fully enough to any of its stylistic directions, giving Lil Wayne little to work with as he turns in a distracted, Auto-Tune-doused verse."[6] In a review of Mainstream Sellout, BrooklynVegan called the song, along with "Drug Dealer", "among its most forgettable" tracks.[7]
Music video
The music video was released alongside the single. It was filmed in Machine Gun Kelly's home from an iPhone, on the night before it was released.[8] It finds Kelly and four friends in a dressing room changing into different flashy outfits.[8][9] Lil Wayne does not physically appear, but a paper cutout of a drawn Wayne performs in the video.[5][9][10]
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] | 57 |
Global 200 (Billboard)[12] | 92 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[13] | 86 |
Ireland (IRMA)[14] | 92 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] | 7 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[16] | 88 |
80 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[18] | 82 |
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[19] | 8 |
Year-end charts
Chart (2022) | Position |
---|---|
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[20] | 40 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[21] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ a b c d e Shutler, Ali (March 4, 2022). "Machine Gun Kelly returns to his roots on Lil Wayne-featuring 'Ay'". NME.
- ^ a b Okon, Wongo (March 4, 2022). "Machine Gun Kelly And Lil Wayne Hope Their High Lasts A Lifetime On 'Ay'". Uproxx.
- ^ Cowen, Trace William (March 4, 2022). "Lil Wayne Joins Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker on New Song "Ay!"". Complex.
- ^ "Machine Gun Kelly ft. WILLOW: ay, maybe, emo girl", The Late Late Show with James Corden, February 25, 2022
- ^ a b c Blistein, Jon (2022-03-04). "Machine Gun Kelly Goes Back to Rapping on New Song With Lil Wayne, 'Ay!'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Thomas, Fred. "Mainstream Sellout - Machine Gun Kelly". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ Sacher, Aaron (March 28, 2022). "Machine Gun Kelly review – pop punk's 'Mainstream Sellout' doubles down on new LP". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ a b Jefferson, Devon (2022-03-04). "Lil Wayne Blesses Machine Gun Kelly With Guest Verse For His 'Mainstream Sellout' Album". HipHopDX.
- ^ a b Kelly, Dylan (2022-03-04). "Machine Gun Kelly Taps Lil Wayne for New Track and Video "ay!"". Hypebeast.
- ^ Marie, Erika (2022-03-04). "Machine Gun Kelly Calls On Lil Wayne For "Ay!"". HotNewHipHop.
- ^ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202213 into search. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Machine Gun Kelly". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202213 into search. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Machine Gun Kelly – Ay!". Music Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2023.