"New Magic Wand" | |
---|---|
Song by Tyler, the Creator | |
from the album Igor | |
Released | May 17, 2019 |
Genre | |
Length | 3:15 |
Label | Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | Tyler Okonma |
Producer(s) | Tyler, the Creator |
Music video | |
"New Magic Wand" on YouTube |
"New Magic Wand" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper Tyler, the Creator from his sixth studio album Igor (2019). It incorporates elements of "Vsichni Praznj" by Siluetes 61 and features background vocals from American singer Santigold. It went viral on social media in 2024 with videos posted about spooky things happening around them.
Composition and lyrics
Jon Caramanica of The New York Times regarded the song to be "like an industrial-funk reimagining of Miami bass music."[1] The beat contains a mixture of synthesizer, which has been described as "harsh hitting", "bassy",[2] "shuddering"[3] and "spooky",[4] a "staticky, low-thrumming bass"[3] and "dizzying percussions".[2] It also switches at one point.[5] The production also uses "candied keys" and "harmonizing vocals".[4] Tyler also described the song as "a perfected version" of "French!" from his debut mixtape Bastard (2009).[6]
The lyrics deal with unrequited love, as Tyler, the Creator expresses his love toward a former partner, whom he also resents for having chosen another person over him, as well as his jealous and possessive feelings.[2][7][8] He mentions seeing a photo of the couple while thinking "I need to get her out the picture / She's really fuckin' up my frame".[3][4][9] Later, Tyler performs in high-pitched vocals,[8] during which Tyler tells his romantic interest "Your other one evaporate, we celebrate / You under oath, now pick a side".[7][8] The song also features a brief spoken-word line from comedian Jerrod Carmichael.[3]
Critical reception
The song was well-received by music critics. Roisin O'Connor of The Independent considered it a standout from Igor.[3] Clash's Nick Rosebade wrote of the song, "This has the most abrasive and Tyler-esque [sic] vibes. Filthy beats and basslines remind us that he's still as devastating as before."[10] Sputnikmusic's Rowan5215 considered it among the album's "much superior retries of Cherry Bomb's industrial distortion-rap".[11] Daniel Spielberger of HipHopDX called the song a "dreary masterpiece".[12] Steven Edelstone of Paste described the song as particularly using a "heavier, more menacing" instrumental, before stating that the beat change "ranks as one of the best of the decade, rivaling that of Kendrick Lamar's frenzied conclusion to 'DNA.'"[5]
Music video
The music video was released on May 14, 2019. It sees Tyler, the Creator wearing an all-yellow outfit[13][14][15] and blonde wig in a bowl cut hairstyle,[13][14][15][16][17] and opens with him performing on a stage with a blue backdrop, starting from the song's repeating lyrics "Please don't leave me now".[15] Soon, the camera zooms out to reveal Tyler performing in a desert to an audience of five moshing people. He is then seen running off into the distance.[13][15][16][17]
Charts
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[18] | 53 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[19] | 73 |
US Billboard Hot 100[20] | 70 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] | 34 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[22] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[23] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[25] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (June 7, 2019). "Tyler, the Creator and Kevin Abstract, Self-Invented Hip-Hop Confessionalists". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Jahmal, Karlton (May 19, 2019). "Tyler, The Creator Enlists A$AP Rocky & Santigold For "New Magic Wand"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e O'Connor, Roisin (May 17, 2019). "Tyler, the Creator review, IGOR: His best work to date". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c Strauss, Matthew (May 20, 2019). "Tyler, the Creator: IGOR". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ a b Edelstone, Steven (May 24, 2019). "Tyler, the Creator: IGOR". Paste. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Hamilton, Xavier. "Tyler, the Creator Looks Back on 'Bastard' Ten Years After Its Release". Complex. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
- ^ a b Schwartz, Danny (May 20, 2019). "Tyler the Creator's Surreal, Summery 'IGOR'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c Kellman, Andy. "IGOR – Tyler, The Creator". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Murphy, John (June 21, 2019). "Tyler, The Creator – Igor". MusicOMH. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Roseblade, Nick (May 17, 2019). "First Take: Tyler, The Creator – Igor". Clash. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Rowan5215 (May 21, 2019). "Review: Tyler the Creator – IGOR". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Spielberger, Daniel (May 20, 2019). "Review: Tyler, The Creator's 'IGOR' Is A Fantastic Continuation Of His Artistic Transformation". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c Caraan, Sophie (May 14, 2019). "Tyler, the Creator Previews Santigold Collaboration From 'IGOR'". Hypebeast. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ a b Sawyer, Jonathan (May 14, 2019). "Tyler, the Creator Teases New Santigold Collab From 'IGOR'". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d Rossignol, Derrick (May 14, 2019). "Tyler The Creator Shared Yet Another 'Igor' Teaser Video, This Time For 'New Magic Wand'". Uproxx. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ a b Maicki, Salvatore (May 14, 2019). "Tyler, the Creator teases new Santigold collaboration from IGOR". The Fader. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ a b A., Aron (May 14, 2019). "Tyler, The Creator Previews Santigold Collab Ahead Of "IGOR"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "Tyler, the Creator – New Magic Wand". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Tyler the Creator Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Tyler the Creator Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Tyler the Creator Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – New Magic Wand". Music Canada. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 11, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter New Magic Wand in the search box.
- ^ "British single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – New Magic Wand". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – New Magic Wand". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 8, 2024.