"INDUSTRY BABY" is a song by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow that was released as a single on July 23, 2021.[1] It was later re-released as the third track from Lil Nas X's debut studio album, MONTERO, on September 17, 2021, serving as the third single from the album.[2] The track features production from Kanye West and Take a Daytrip.[3]
The song earned a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, which it ironically lost to Kanye's own entry, "Hurricane".[4]
Background[]
The song was first created around August 2020, initially going by the title, "Tel Aviv".[5] It was soon renamed to "Industry Baby", and in 2021, Jozzy recorded a reference track for Jack Harlow's feature.
Not much was revealed about Ye's involvement in the project apart from prominent production credits, until Take a Daytrip revealed months after release that Ye gave the track an "overall finishing touch".[6]
"So he came in and helped layer some instruments and really helped beef up the production, and sent us all the parts back, and we were able to take all of those things and place them in, and finish it up with Nas."
Lil Nas X first teased the song on July 19, 2021, with a skit parodying his lawsuit with Nike regarding his Satan Shoes.[7] Prior to the skit's release, Lil Nas X claimed on TikTok that he had a court hearing scheduled on July 19. A few hours before the song released, Lil Nas X wrote a letter to his 20-year-old self, telling him to "keep going".[8]
Music video[]
The music video for "INDUSTRY BABY" was released on July 23, 2021, the same day as the song's release. It was directed by Christian Breslauer and produced by Andrew Lerios. The video features both Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow, along with several dances, and takes place inside a prison with scenes of Lil Nas X having sex with other prisoners. A supposed uncensored version was released on July 28, though it is nothing more than a troll.[9]
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Lil Nas X]
(D-D-Daytrip took it to ten, hey)
Baby back, ayy, couple racks, ayy
Couple Grammys on him, couple plaques, ayy
That's a fact, ayy, throw it back, ayy
Throw it back, ayy
[Pre-Chorus: Lil Nas X]
And this one is for the champions
I ain't lost since I began, yeah
Funny how you said it was the end, yeah
Then I went did it again, yeah
[Chorus: Lil Nas X]
I told you long ago on the road
I got what they waiting for
I don't run from nothing, dog
Get your soldiers, tell 'em I ain't layin' low
You was never really rooting for me anyway
When I'm back up at the top, I wanna hear you say
He don't run from nothin', dog
Get your soldiers, tell 'em that the break is over
[Verse 1: Lil Nas X]
Uh, need to, uh
Need to get this album done
Need a couple number ones
Need a plaque on every song
Need me like one with Nicki now
Tell a rap n*gga I don't see ya, hah
I'm a pop n*gga like Bieber, hah
I don't fuck bitches, I'm queer, hah
But these n*ggas bitches like Madea, yeah, yeah, yeah, ayy (Yeah)
Oh, let's do it
I ain't fall off, I just ain't release my new shit
I blew up, now everybody tryna sue me
You call me Nas, but the hood call me Doobie, yeah
[Pre-Chorus: Lil Nas X]
And this one is for the champions
I ain't lost since I began, yeah
Funny how you said it was the end, yeah
Then I went did it again, yeah
[Chorus: Lil Nas X]
I told you long ago on the road
I got what they waiting for (I got what they're waiting for)
I don't run from nothing, dog
Get your soldiers, tell 'em I ain't layin' low (Bitch, I ain't runnin' from nowhere)
You was never really rooting for me anyway (Ooh, ooh)
When I'm back up at the top, I wanna hear you say (Ooh, ooh)
He don't run from nothin', dog
Get your soldiers, tell 'em that the break is over (Yeah)
[Verse 2: Jack Harlow]
My track record so clean, they couldn't wait to just bash me
I must be gettin' too flashy, y'all shouldn't have let the world gas me (Woo)
It's too late 'cause I'm here to stay and these girls know that I'm nasty (Mmm)
I sent her back to her boyfriend with my handprint on her ass cheek
City talkin', we takin' notes
Tell 'em all to keep makin' posts
Wish he could, but he can't get close
OG so proud of me that he chokin' up while he makin' toasts
I'm the type that you can't control, said I would, then I made it so
I don't clear up rumors (Ayy), where's y'all sense of humor? (Ayy)
I'm done makin' jokes 'cause they got old like baby boomers
Turned my haters to consumers, I make vets feel like they juniors (Juniors)
Say your time is comin' soon, but just like Oklahoma (Mmm)
Mine is comin' sooner (Mmm), I'm just a late bloomer (Mmm)
I didn't peak in high school, I'm still out here gettin' cuter (Woo)
All these social networks and computers
Got these pussies walkin' 'round like they ain't losers
[Chorus: Lil Nas X]
I told you long ago on the road
I got what they waiting for (I got what they waiting for)
I don't run from nothing, dog
Get your soldiers, tell 'em I ain't layin' low (Bitch, I ain't runnin' from nowhere)
You was never really rooting for me anyway
When I'm back up at the top, I wanna hear you say
He don't run from nothin', dog
Get your soldiers, tell 'em that the break is over
[Outro: Lil Nas X]
Yeah
I'm the industry baby, mmm
I'm the industry baby
Yeah
Trivia[]
- This marks Ye's first collaboration with Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow.
- While Ye and Lil Nas X have never collaborated since, Ye and Jack collaborated again on the Donda 2 song, "Louie Bags".
References[]
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_Baby
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montero_(album)
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_Baby
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64th_Annual_Grammy_Awards
- ↑ https://genius.com/Lil-nas-x-tel-aviv-lyrics
- ↑ https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-wests-involvement-in-lil-nas-xs-industry-baby-finally-detailed-news.142276.html
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/07/19/how-lil-nas-x-used-satan-shoes-controversy-and-a-fake-court-date-to-promote-his-new-single/?sh=576443a8228e
- ↑ https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/lil-nas-x-letter-to-himself-industry-baby-9604957/
- ↑ https://www.papermag.com/lil-nas-x-industry-baby-uncensored-2654185607.html