Painting Pictures (song)

"Painting Pictures" is a song by American rapper Superstar Pride from his EP 5lbs of Pressure, released on October 19, 2022. The song contains a sample of "Soon as I Get Home" by Faith Evans and was produced by StunnaMade and Global Knockz. The song went viral through the video-sharing platform TikTok in 2023, following which it became Superstar Pride's breakout hit and first song to enter the Billboard Hot 100. It was released as his debut single on March 15, 2023.

"Painting Pictures"
Single by Superstar Pride
from the album 5lbs of Pressure
ReleasedMarch 15, 2023
Recorded2022
Length2:02
Songwriter(s)Cadarrius Pride
Producer(s)
  • StunnaMade
  • Global Knockz
Music video
"Painting Pictures" on YouTube

Composition

In the song, Superstar Pride primarily raps about his family history and connection to street life, as he praises his mother for the way she raised him ("Mama, don't worry, you raised a gangster, I'm a survivor"). He also criticizes a woman who claims he impregnated her.[1][2]

Release and promotion

First released independently in October 2022,[3] "Painting Pictures" received widespread exposure through TikTok, beginning when Superstar Pride posted a clip of himself performing it and also sporting a distinct haircut, in February 2023. The song has since soundtracked in many TikTok videos which recreate his performance and poke fun at his haircut;[1] Superstar has said he finds them "hilarious".[2] In February, having been used in over 38,000 videos on TikTok and reached over four million official streams in the United States, the song began to chart, soon becoming Superstar's first Top 25 hit in March 2023.[1][3] At the height of its popularity, it was briefly removed from streaming services due to sample clearance issues.[1] According to Steve Stoute, the CEO of the Translation marketing agency, rapper and Bad Boy Records founder Sean Combs, who co-wrote and co-produced "Soon as I Get Home", met Superstar, "loved him" and subsequently cleared up the sample, allowing it to return to streaming platforms.[4] The song was then released as the lead single from 5lbs of Pressure on March 15, 2023[5] along with a music video.[6]

Chart performance

"Painting Pictures" debuted on Billboard Hot 100 at number 99 on February 22, 2023, concurrently with a peak of number 38 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[3] It ascended to number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week dated March 11, 2023.[1][2] The song has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[7]

Music video

The official music video was directed by GlobalKnockz, one of the producers of the song. It shows Superstar Pride surrounded by pictures, some of which he has framed himself, and painting ones as well.[6]

Charts
Chart performance for "Painting Pictures"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 20
Canadian Hot 100 (Billboard)[9] 28
Global 200 (Billboard)[10] 30
Ireland (IRMA)[11] 19
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 87
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 6
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[14] 14
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] 50
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 33
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[17] 20
US Billboard Hot 100 (Billboard)[18] 25
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] 9
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[20] 29

Certifications
Certifications for "Painting Pictures"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Ahmed, Insanul (March 9, 2023). "Independent Rapper Superstar Pride's 'Painting Pictures' Removed From Streaming Services After Becoming Billboard Top 25 Hit". XXL. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. Coleman II, C. Vernon (March 10, 2023). "Superstar Pride's 'Painting Pictures' Back on Streaming Services After Clearing Faith Evans Sample". XXL. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  3. Zellner, Xander (February 22, 2023). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Superstar Pride Makes a Splash With 'Painting Pictures'". Billboard. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  4. Rys, Dan (March 14, 2023). "Superstar Pride Stays Independent, as 'Painting Pictures' Sample Issue Clears Up". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  5. "Painting Pictures". Spotify. March 15, 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  6. Callwood, Brett (March 21, 2023). "Superstar Pride Paints Pictures". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  7. "American single certifications – Superstar Pride – Painting Pictures". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  8. "Superstar Pride – Painting Pictures". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  9. "Canadian Hot 100: Week of March 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  10. "Billboard Global 200: Week of March 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  11. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Superstar Pride". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  12. "Superstar Pride – Painting Pictures" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  13. "Superstar Pride – Painting Pictures". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  14. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 9". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  15. "Superstar Pride – Painting Pictures". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  17. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  18. "Billboard Hot 100: Week of March 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  19. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of March 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  20. "Rhythmic Airplay: Week of May 27, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
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