Casper (song)
"Casper" is a song by American rapper Takeoff from his debut studio album The Last Rocket (2018). It was produced by Cassius Jay and Nonstop da Hitman.
"Casper" | |
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Song by Takeoff | |
from the album The Last Rocket | |
Released | November 2, 2018 |
Length | 3:17 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Music video | |
"Casper" on YouTube |
Content
In the song, Takeoff recounts his success as a rapper[1] and pays tribute to his late grandmother.[2]
Critical reception
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. Devin Ch of HotNewHipHop gave it a "Very Hottttt" rating and wrote, "he does make like a ghost, when in fact you may have thought he was only referencing the practice of exiting a moving vehicle, or an appreciable Rolls-Royce sitting pretty under umbrage."[3] Jonah Bromwick of Pitchfork wrote, "Takeoff is lyrically all over the place atop a gauzy beat from Nonstop Da Hitman. 'I want to look at the stars today,' he injects with childlike wonder into a hook that would otherwise seem rote. He shouts out his grandma and requests that those he share dinner with say grace. The cosmos, his elders, an abiding religiosity: These are recurring motifs for the rapper born Kirshnik Khari Ball, and this earnestness even makes the album's title seem like more than a cheap joke about his pseudonym."[2]
Music video
The official music video was released on November 27, 2018. Directed by Gabriel Hart, it finds Takeoff on an adventure in space, traveling in a white Rolls-Royce[4][5] and wearing a spacesuit.[6] After blasting off and going into orbit, he lands on the moon, where he spends time with models. He hovers over Earth with his rocket shoes and returns there, where he confronts an army of scientists in a neon orange long sleeve shirt and black, ripped jeans.[5]
Charts
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
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Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[7] | 87 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] | 32 |
US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 99 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 50 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA)[11] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- Moore, Sam (November 5, 2018). "Takeoff – 'The Last Rocket' review". NME. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- Bromwich, Jonah (November 7, 2018). "Takeof: The Last Rocket Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- Ch, Devin (November 3, 2018). "Takeoff Flies Under The Radar For The Very Last Time With "Casper"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- Slingerland, Calum (November 27, 2018). "Watch Takeoff's Spaced-Out Video for "Casper"". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- Centeno, Tony M. (November 27, 2018). "Takeoff "Casper" Video: Watch Rapper Cruise Through Space". XXL. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- Hussein, Wandera (November 27, 2018). "Takeoff shares "Casper" music video". The Fader. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- "Takeoff Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- "Takeoff Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- "Takeoff Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- "American single certifications – Takeoff – Casper". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 1, 2022.