Strange Clouds (song)

"Strange Clouds"
Single by B.o.B featuring Lil Wayne
from the album Strange Clouds
Released September 27, 2011
Format Digital download
Recorded 2011
Genre Hip hop, dubstep
Length 3:46
Label Grand Hustle, Atlantic
Writer(s) Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., Dwayne Carter, Jr., Lukasz Gottwald, Henry Walter
Producer(s) Dr. Luke, Cirkut
B.o.B singles chronology
"I'll Be in the Sky"
(2011)		 "Strange Clouds"
(2011)		 "Play the Guitar"
(2011)
Lil Wayne singles chronology
"Y.U. Mad"
(2011)		 "Strange Clouds"
(2011)		 "Mirror"
(2011)
Music video
"Strange Clouds" on YouTube

"Strange Clouds" is a song by American hip hop recording artist B.o.B, featuring fellow American rapper Lil Wayne and produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut. The song was announced by Atlantic Records to be released on iTunes on September 27, 2011.[1] The song serves as the lead single from his second studio album of the same name. In its first week, it sold 197,000 digital copies,[2] debuting at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] The song has sold over 1.3 million digital copies worldwide.

Background

Before the song's release B.o.B. performed the song at concert on three different occasions. He debuted the song at Colorado in late August 2011, then performed the track again in Syracuse, New York on September 13, 2011 and on September 20, 2011, at Tennessee Tech University. On September 23, 2011, B.o.B released a trailer through his official website, depicting him in the studio playing the song.[4] The song was written by Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., Dwayne Carter, Lukasz Gottwald and Henry Walter and was produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut. It contains elements of dubstep and electro-hop. The official cover art for the single was released on September 26, 2011, on B.o.B's official website. The cover depicts an open grassy landscape on the bottom portion of the cover and a large open sky with a central mystical entity that resembles a nebula centered in the sky above.[5] B.o.B included the song on his eighth mixtape, E.P.I.C (Every Play Is Crucial).

Critical reception

Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone gave the song three out of five stars, saying that "Wayne drops a wink-nudge verse about getting blitzed, but it’s B.o.B who lights up with a charming, tenacious flow."[6]

Remix

The official remix to "Strange Clouds" was released 12 January 2012 and features fellow Atlanta rappers T.I. and Young Jeezy. The remix maintains the original production from Dr. Luke, however B.o.B performs a new verse and a slightly modified chorus.

The second official remix will feature rappers Tech N9ne and Kid Cudi. It was mentioned on February 6, 2012 by Tech N9ne through his official blog & a tweet he responded to a fan on his Twitter account.[7][8] It was later confirmed on April 5, 2012 by B.o.B through a tweet he responded to a fan on his Twitter account.[9] The song was almost performed live during a January, 2012 concert in Australia where Tech N9ne and Kid Cudi were both performing, but the performance never happened due to a stalker threatening Tech N9ne during the show. Although the remix has been recorded, it has not yet been released. It is not clear as to if the remix will ever see the light of day.

Remix video

The official music video for the remix to "Strange Clouds" was released on February 1, 2012. The video, directed by 1st Impressions, premiered on B.o.B's YouTube page on January 31, 2012.[10]

Chart performance

On the week of October 10, 2011 the song debuted at number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 making it the "Hot Shot Debut" of the week. In the first week of the song's release it sold 197,000 digital copies debuting at number three on the U.S. Hot Digital Songs. "Strange Clouds" marks his best debut sales week for a single, previously held by the 137,000 launch of "Airplanes" on May 1, 2010.[11] As of February 9, 2012, "Strange Clouds" has been certified platinum by the RIAA.[12]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2011–12) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 69
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 26
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 39
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] 47
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[16] 72
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 7
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] 43
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[19] 16
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[20] 16

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
United States (RIAA)[21] 2× Platinum 2,000,000double-dagger

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release

Country Date Format Label Ref
United States September 27, 2011 Digital download Atlantic Records [22]

References

  1. ↑ "Twitter: Atlantic Records". Atlantic Records. 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  2. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/466817/j-cole-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-blink-182-snags-no-2
  3. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/275499/bob/chart?f=379
  4. ↑ Strange Clouds ft. Lil Wayne Trailer
  5. ↑ "Strange Clouds". Bobatl.com. 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  6. ↑ Ganz, Caryn (12 October 2011). "Song Review, "Strange Clouds"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  7. ↑ http://blog.therealtechn9ne.com/2012/02/tech-n9ne/strange-clouds-remix-feature-with-bob/
  8. ↑ https://twitter.com/TechN9ne/status/166590795523162113
  9. ↑ https://twitter.com/bobatl/status/187944350733447171
  10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cZJLA_z2OU
  11. ↑ "J. Cole Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Blink-182 Snags No. 2". Billboard, Keith Caulfield, L.A. 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  12. ↑ ""Strange Clouds" is Platinum". bobatl.com. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 10th October 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – B.o.B – Strange Clouds". Top 40 Singles.
  15. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – B.o.B – Strange Clouds". Swiss Singles Chart.
  16. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-10-09" UK Singles Chart.
  17. ↑ "B.o.B – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for B.o.B.
  18. ↑ "B.o.B – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for B.o.B.
  19. ↑ "B.o.B – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for B.o.B.
  20. ↑ "B.o.B – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for B.o.B.
  21. ↑ "American single certifications – B.o.B – Strange Clouds". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  22. ↑ . iTunes.com. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
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