Right Above It
"Right Above It" | ||||
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Aubrey Graham | ||||
Producer(s) | Kane Beatz | |||
Lil Wayne singles chronology | ||||
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Drake singles chronology | ||||
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"Right Above It" is a hip hop song by American rapper
Upon its release, the song received generally positive reviews from critics, who complimented its confident, upbeat tone and the performances of both rappers, with many praising it as a highlight off the album.[1][2][3] The song was later certified 5× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of 5 million equivalent units.[4]
The song serves as the opening theme for the HBO series Ballers, starring Dwayne Johnson.
Background
Along with all of the other songs on I Am Not a Human Being, the song was recorded in 2010 prior to Wayne's nine-month prison term for criminal possession of a weapon. The song contains a vocal sample from the 2Pac song "Hail Mary": more specifically, it samples the line "I ain't a killer but don't push me".[5]
The song premiered on August 3, 2010, on the New York
A visualizer for the song was released on March 31, 2023.
Live performances
On December 31, 2010, Lil Wayne performed the song on
Reception
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic writer David Jefferies called the song "grand" stating that it "swaggers and struts like a free man cruising through the club".[1] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times described the song as "bombastic" and praised Lil Wayne's musical diversity, comparing the song to more recent hits ("I'm Single" and "No Love") and their different musical styles, stating "[his] successes in the last few months have been in different, and divergent, modes... diversity is Lil Wayne’s strength".[2] Despite describing the song as "generic", Los Angeles Times writer Jeff Weiss wrote positively of the song, stating that "[it] achieves a kind of bizarre solipsism". However, he also felt that "Wayne’s done this shtick better before".[7]
Chart performance
After experiencing strong digital sales on release, the song debuted at number 6 on the US
"Right Above It" also achieved modest international charting. The song debuted on the
Appearances
As of June 2015[update], the song is featured in the opening of the HBO television series Ballers. It was also used as the walkout song for former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier.
Credits and personnel
- Aubrey Graham, Daniel Johnson, Andrew Canton
- Production – Kane Beatz
Source:[10]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[26] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[27] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[4] | 5× Platinum | 5,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States[28] | August 17, 2010 | Digital download | Universal Motown
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United Kingdom[29] | August 23, 2010 | Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Island |
References
- ^ All Media Network. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ^ New York Times. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
- ^ Jones, Steve (2010-09-28). "Review: I Am Not a Human Being". USA Today. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Lil Wayne – Right Above It". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Wayne – Right Above It Lyrics". DirectLyrics. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- ^ "Lil Wayne Debuts New Single, 'Right Above It,' Featuring Drake". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ Weiss, Jeff (2010-10-12). "Review: I Am Not a Human Being". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
- ^ Trust, Gary (2010-08-26). "Weekly Chart Notes: Lil Wayne, Lady Antebellum, John Mellencamp". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ^ a b Caulfield, Keith (25 August 2010). "Eminem Won't Budge From No. 1 on Billboard 200, Lil Wayne Tops Digital Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
- Universal Motown.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 1074 (Week Commencing 27 September 2010)" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- Ultratip. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
- ^ "2010 Year End Charts – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "2010 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "2010 Year End Charts – Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "2011 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "2011 Year End Charts – Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Lil Wayne – Right Above It". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Right Above It (feat. Drake) – Single by Lil Wayne: Download on US iTunes". ITunes (US). Apple. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
- ^ "Right Above It (Explicit Version) – Single by Drake & Lil Wayne: Download on UK iTunes". ITunes (GB). Apple. Retrieved 2011-05-16.