Norf Norf

"Norf Norf" is a song recorded by American rapper Vince Staples for his debut double studio album, Summertime '06. It was produced by Clams Casino, and released on June 22, 2015 by ARTium Recordings and Def Jam Recordings. It did not peak in any major chart. It received widespread acclaim by critics and was placed on several year-end lists. In March 2023, the song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

"Norf Norf"
Single by Vince Staples
from the album Summertime '06
ReleasedJune 22, 2015 (2015-06-22)
GenreHip hop
Length3:03[1]
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Clams Casino[4]
Vince Staples singles chronology
"Get Paid"
(2015)		 "Norf Norf"
(2015)		 "Smoke & Retribution"
(2016)
Music video
"Norf Norf" on YouTube

Composition

"Norf Norf" is a hip hop song. It was described as "sonically grim",[5] built over a "drone-like" section similar to a "monophonic guitar feedback".[6][7]

Reception

Critical reception

The song received widespread acclaim by critics. The song was placed in several year-end lists, with Pitchfork placing it at number 19;[8] Complex, at number 46;[9] and The Fader, at number 20.[10] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone named it his 12th favorite song of 2015.[11] Paul Schrodt of Complex called it the best Vince Staples song.[12]

Controversy

The song received criticism from a woman, who heard the song on the radio with her 11-year-old daughter,[13] and released a viral 11-minute video on the internet criticizing the song.[14][15][16] In the video, she recited the song's lyrics,[17] called the song "crap" and "filth", and criticized the song's chorus, "I ain't never run from nothing but the police".[16] The video attracted backlash, which led Staples to defend the woman: "No person needs to be attacked for their opinion on what they see to be appropriate for their children";[14][16][18] he also said she was "clearly confused on the context of the song" and "emotionally unstable".[19]

Music video

The song's music video was released on July 17, 2015. It was filmed in black and white,[20] and shows Staples with "an unfazed expression as he's taken on a seemingly routine trip from the back of a cop car",[5] and "gets his mugshot taken, gets roughed up by cops, and gets thrown in a cell".[21]

Eric Ducker of Rolling Stone named it the second best music video of 2015,[22] and USA Today named it the seventh best.[23]

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[24] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Norf Norf [Explicit]". Amazon. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  2. "Vince Staples - Norf Norf". Google Play Music. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  3. "Norf Norf - Vince Staples - Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  4. "Vince Staples - Summertime '06 [Credits]". Genius. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  5. Martin, Paley (July 17, 2015). "Vince Staples Isn't Running From the Police in 'Norf Norf' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  6. "Vince Staples Doesn't Hold Back on Debut Album 'Summertime 06′". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  7. "Review: Vince Staples' 'Summertime '06' Is No Picnic, And Gloriously So". Spin.com. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  8. Rytlewski, Evan. "The 100 Best Tracks of 2015". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  9. Charity, Justin. "The Best Songs of 2015". Complex. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  10. "The 107 Best Songs of 2015". The Fader. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  11. Sheffield, Rob. "Rob Sheffield's Top 25 Songs of 2015". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  12. Schrodt, Paul (June 22, 2017). ""Norf Norf" - The Best Vince Staples Songs". Complex. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  13. "Extremely Concerned White Woman Recites Vince Staples's "Norf Norf" Through Tears". Noisey. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  14. Goodman, Jessica (October 6, 2016). "Vince Staples on viral 'Norf Norf Rant' video: 'No person needs to be attacked'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  15. Josephs, Brian (October 6, 2016). "Vince Staples Is a Nice Guy, Defends Mother Upset Over "Norf Norf" Lyrics". Spin. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  16. Bromwich, Jonah Engel (October 6, 2016). "A Mother Criticizes Vince Staples, and the Rapper Defends Her". The New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  17. Renshaw, David. "Vince Staples Defends Christian Mother From The Viral "Norf Norf Rant" Video". The Fader.
  18. Gonzalez, Bansky (April 3, 2017). "Vince Staples Is Still Defending That Mom Who Went Off About 'Norf Norf'". Uproxx. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  19. Evans, Gavin (April 3, 2017). "Vince Staples Calls Out People Who Criticized Mother Behind "Norf Norf" Rant: 'You're Worse Than Her'". Complex. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  20. Brodsky, Rachel (July 17, 2015). "Vince Staples Spends a Rough Night in Jail in 'Norf Norf' Video". Spin. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  21. Strauss, Matthew (July 17, 2015). "Vince Staples Gets Locked Up in His "Norf Norf" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  22. Ducker, Eric (December 22, 2015). "Vince Staples, "Norf Norf" - 10 Best Music Videos of 2015". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  23. Scott, Nate; Peters, Micah (December 28, 2015). "The 10 best music videos of 2015". USA Today. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  24. "American single certifications – Vince Staples – Norf Norf". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
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