Special Education (song)

"Special Education" is a song performed by hip-hop group Goodie Mob featuring Janelle Monáe, from their 2013 studio album Age Against the Machine. It was released as the first single from the album on June 18, 2013. As part of promotion for the song, a music video directed by John Colombo was released, as well as a 7" vinyl single.[1]

"Special Education"
Single by Goodie Mob featuring Janelle Monáe
from the album Age Against the Machine
ReleasedJune 18, 2013 (2013-06-18)
RecordedWinter 2012
Portland, Jamaica
Genre
Length4:07
LabelThe Right Records, Primary Wave, Atlantic
Songwriter(s)Robert Barnett, Willie Knighton, Thomas Calloway, Cameron Gipp, Tramaine Winfrey
Producer(s)Young Fyre, Q Rock
Goodie Mob singles chronology
"Fight to Win"
(2012)		 "Special Education"
(2013)
Janelle Monáe singles chronology
"Q.U.E.E.N."
(2013)		 "Special Education"
(2013)		 "Dance Apocalyptic"
(2013)

Background

"Special Education" was recorded by the Goodie Mob featuring Janelle Monáe as the first single[2] of their studio album Age Against the Machine (2013) in around Winter 2012, in the Jamaican Geejam Studios.[3] Young Fyre and Q Rock produced the track.[4] It was officially released on June 18, 2013.[5]

Composition

"Special Education" is written to be a song advocating uniqueness,[6] as well as highlighting segregation and discrimination against those with lesser intellectual capabilities.[7]

Critical reception

Eric Black of Rolling Out found the track to be "dope", adding that it "[will] take you back to when being different was cool".[8] Chris Martins of Spin wrote that the song was "a step in the right direction", in comparison with Goodie Mob's "Fight to Win" (2012).[9]

Music video

The music video for "Special Education" was directed by John Colombo.[9] More than four minutes long,[10] it features members of the Goodie Mob singing the song with child actors portraying younger versions of them. There are also anti-bullying elements in the video.[6] Additionally, a lyric video was released.[11]

Live performances

"Special Education" was performed live by Goodie Mob on August 1, 2013, on the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon.[12] They sang it live again with group trainee V. Bozeman substituting Janelle Monaé on "The View" and was broadcast by ABC Television.[13] Other live performance locations included the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C.[14] and the Brooklyn Bowl in Long Island.[15]

Official versions
  • Album version – 4:07[16]
  • Instrumental version - 4:07[17]

References
  1. "On Sale! Goodie Mob "Special Education" 7" Vinyl Limited Edition Red Color Vinyl Official Merchandise at Control Industry". www.controlindustry.com/.
  2. "JetBlue's Live From T5 Concert Series Presents Pioneering Rap Group - Goodie Mob". News Watch. August 20, 2013.
  3. Hyman, Dan (August 22, 2013). "Cee Lo and Goodie Mob Return to Roots on New Album". Rolling Stone.
  4. "Goodie Mob (Big Gipp + Cee-Lo + Khujo + T-Mo) - 'Age Against The Machine' (Audio CD)".
  5. "iTunes - Music - Special Education (feat. Janelle Monáe) - Single by Goodie Mob". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  6. Johnson, Jr., Billy (August 15, 2013). "Goodie Mob Makes Anti Bullying Statement in 'Special Education'". Rolling Stone.
  7. Baker, Soren. "Goodie Mob Laments Lost Eminem Collaboration". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  8. Black, Eric (August 6, 2013). "'Special Education' Goodie Mob featuring Janelle Monae". Rolling Out.
  9. "Goodie Mob and Janelle Monae Head Back to School in 'Special Education' Video". Spin. August 16, 2013.
  10. "GOODIE MOB (feat. Janelle Monáe) - Special Education (Official Music Video)". Goodie Mob. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  11. "VIBE Premiere: Goodie Mob Feat. Janelle Monáe 'Special Education' Lyric Video". Vibe. July 22, 2013.
  12. Josephs, Brian (August 2, 2013). "Goodie Mob Performs "Special Education" on 'Jimmy Fallon'". Drop.fm.
  13. "Goodie Mob Performs "Special Education" on 'The View'". Rap-Up. August 7, 2013.
  14. Hahn, Fritz (August 20, 2013). "Nightlife Agenda: 'End of Summer' party, jazz and wine and a rap reunion". The Washington Post.
  15. Gamboa, Glenn (August 19, 2013). "Robin Thicke, Austin Mahone, Cheap Trick and more new music videos". Newsday.
  16. "Track listing". Allmusic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  17. "GOODIE MOB - RECORD STORE DAY". www.recordstoreday.com.
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