:Panda (song)
{{for|other songs with the same title|Panda (disambiguation)#Music}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Panda
| cover = DesiignerPanda.jpg
| alt = The head of a panda bear emerges from the blackness in a shower of falling sparks.
| type = single
| artist = Desiigner
| album = New English
| released = {{Start date|2015|12|15}}
| recorded = 2015
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = * Hip hop
| length = {{ubl|4:10 {{small|(album version)}}|3:46 {{small|(radio edit)}}}}
| label = {{hlist|GOOD|Def Jam}}
| writer = {{hlist|Sidney Selby III|Adnan Khan}}
| producer = Menace
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Champions
| next_year = 2016
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|E5ONTXHS2mM|"Panda"}}
}}
}}
"Panda" is the debut single by American rapper Desiigner. The song premiered in December 2015 and was released for digital download on the iTunes Store as a single, before being re-released on February 26, 2016.{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/panda-single/1088507971 | title=Panda - Single | work=iTunes Store (US) | date=26 February 2016 | access-date=April 18, 2016}} The song was written by Desiigner and the track's producer was Menace. "Panda" was heavily sampled by GOOD Music labelmate and founder Kanye West for "Pt. 2", a song on West's seventh studio album The Life of Pablo, and inspired a number of remixes. The single received a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. A music video was released on May 10, 2016. It was nominated for Best Hip Hop Video at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.
Composition
"Panda" is a hip hop and trap song.{{cite web|last=Pitchfork Staff|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9981-the-100-best-songs-of-2016/?page=5|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2016|work=Pitchfork|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2018}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7326380/panda-rapper-desiigner-on-working-with-kanye-west-panda-hit-single-upcoming-music |title='Panda' Rapper Desiigner on Why His Mind Operates in a 'Crazy' Way and Working With Kanye West |magazine=Billboard |date=April 12, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2016 |author=Peltz, Jonathan}} The hook was written about a white BMW X6, a luxury CUV which he likens to the appearance of a panda bear. The black X6 is compared to a phantom. "I'm just putting it in a greater way of how I say and the way I live."{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/desiigner-talks-about-the-success-of-panda-and-the-comparisons-to-future |title=Interview: Desiigner Talks About the Success of "Panda" and Comparisons to Future | work=Complex |date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=April 18, 2016}} Desiigner discovered the song's beat on YouTube, which was produced by up-and-coming Rochdale-based{{cite web |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/kanye-west-album-rochdale-menace-11094010 |title=Rochdale mobile phone shop worker features on Kanye West's new album (but it didn't pay that well) |work=Manchester Evening News |date=March 25, 2016 |access-date=February 6, 2017 |author=Richardson, Sam}} producer Menace.{{cite web|url=http://www.designntrend.com/articles/70759/20160223/who-is-desiigner-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-panda-rapper.htm|title=Who Is Desiigner? 5 Things You Didn't Know About The 'Panda' Rapper|date=February 23, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520092423/http://www.designntrend.com/articles/70759/20160223/who-is-desiigner-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-panda-rapper.htm|archive-date=May 20, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://djbooth.net/news/entry/2016-03-31-desiigner-panda-beat|title=Desiigner Bought the "Panda" Beat for $200 Off YouTube - DJBooth Article|date=31 March 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.datwav.com/did-designer-make-a-hit-out-of-a-future-type-beat-youtube-search/|title=Did Designer Make A Hit Out Of a "Future Type Beat" YouTube Search? - DatWAV.com|date=April 24, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618171859/http://www.datwav.com/did-designer-make-a-hit-out-of-a-future-type-beat-youtube-search/|archive-date=June 18, 2016|url-status=dead}} Menace has stated the track takes influence from the UK grime scene.{{cite web | url=http://www.vibe.com/2016/05/menace-panda-uk-grime-influence/ | title=Producer Menace Says UK Grime Scene Influenced "Panda" Sound, Not Future | work=Vibe | date=May 12, 2016 | access-date=February 6, 2017 | author=Thompson, Desire}}
Critical reception
Rolling Stone named "Panda" one of the 30 best songs of the first half of 2016, writing "The Future-esque rapping and menacing trap beat that underlies 'Panda'{{'}}s ridiculous repetition were already making Internet waves, but a prominent sample on Kanye West's The Life of Pablo made Desiigner a fixture everywhere from car stereos to Vogue shoots."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/30-best-songs-of-2016-so-far-20160622|title=30 Best Songs of 2016 So Far|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 23, 2016|access-date=June 23, 2016}} Billboard ranked "Panda" at number 24 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list: "Visions of a black-and-white BMW X6 sparked Desiigner's breakout joyride anthem 'Panda'. The Brooklyn upstart's spazzy, high-octane bars may have required a Genius.com lyric video to decipher, but the energy was so contagious that Kanye West had to tap the melodic G.O.O.D. Music MC's smash for his own zeitgeist-capturing album."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2016/7617635/billboard-top-100-pop-songs-of-2016|title=Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 12, 2016|date=December 12, 2016}} Pitchfork listed "Panda" on their ranking of the 100 best songs of 2016 at number 56.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9981-the-100-best-songs-of-2016/?page=10|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2016|publisher=Pitchfork Media|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=December 12, 2016}}
Commercial performance
"Panda" debuted at number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the chart issue dated March 12, 2016,{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2016-03-12 | title=The Hot 100 (March 12, 2016) | magazine=Billboard | access-date=April 18, 2016}} and reached the top five in its seventh week.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2016-04-23 | title=The Hot 100 (April 23, 2016) | magazine=Billboard | access-date=April 18, 2016}} On its ninth week, "Panda" reached number one on the Hot 100 for the chart dated May 7, 2016, ending the nine-week reign of "Work" by Rihanna featuring Drake. The feat ended a record-setting 41-week streak of non-Americans topping the chart. It stayed at number one for two weeks, until it was replaced by "One Dance" by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla on the chart issue dated May 21, 2016.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7341870/desiigner-panda-billboard-hot-100-number-1 | title=Desiigner's 'Panda' Claws to No. 1 on Hot 100, Bringing Americans Back to the Top | magazine=Billboard | date=April 25, 2016 | access-date=April 25, 2016 | author=Trust, Gary}} Desiigner is the first rapper to crown the Hot 100 with a debut chart entry since Iggy Azalea arrived with "Fancy" (featuring Charli XCX), which ruled for seven weeks beginning June 7, 2014.
At 18 years and 11 months old, Desiigner is the youngest artist to top the Hot 100 since Lorde, who was 16 years and 11 months old when "Royals" assumed the top spot (for nine weeks) on October 12, 2013. The song spent seventeen weeks in the top ten of the Hot 100 before dropping out. It also reached number one on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Among the Hot 100's component charts, "Panda" peaked at number 2 on Digital Songs and 10 on Radio Songs, and topped Streaming Songs.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6897402/desiigner/chart|title=Desiigner - Chart history - Billboard|magazine=Billboard}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7341870/desiigner-panda-billboard-hot-100-number-1|title=Desiigner's 'Panda' Claws to No. 1 on Hot 100, Bringing Americans Back to the Top|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 19, 2016}} As of December 2016, it has sold 1,524,000 copies in the United States.{{Cite news |url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/15-best-selling-singles-2016-slideshow-wp-023312395/photo-p-song-sold-1-763-photo-023312401.html |title=The Best-Selling Singles of 2016 |date=December 19, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016 |work=Yahoo! Music}} The song had the most on demand streams (audio and video combined) in the US in 2016 (791,000).{{cite web |title=Nielsen Music Year-End Report U.S. 2016 |url=https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/2016-year-end-music-report-us.pdf |website=Nielsen |access-date=10 January 2020}}
Remixes, samples and media usage
"Panda" has been unofficially remixed several times by various rappers, including T-Pain, Lil Mama, Uncle Murda, Montana of 300, Dave East, Lupe Fiasco, Futuristic, Meek Mill, Lil' Kim, Cupcakke, Maino, Kash Doll, Fabolous, Joyner Lucas and Fat Trel among others.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/04/desiigner-panda-remixes/|title=8 "Panda" Remixes You Need to Hear|work=XXL|date=April 6, 2016|access-date=April 13, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/04/21/desiigner-panda-tpain-remix/|title=T-Pain Hopped On Desiigner's "Panda"|work=Fader|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=April 21, 2016}}
A Spanish version was released by Puerto Rican Latin trap artist Almighty on the Miami-based label Carbon Fiber Music.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/7350276/desiigner-panda-almighty-chart-debut|title=Spanish Version of Desiigner's 'Panda' by Puerto Rican Rapper Almighty Debuts on Hot Latin Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=April 29, 2016}}
Borrowing the original version's beat, it features Farruko, owner of said label, while a subsequent remix adds Daddy Yankee and Cosculluela. Additionally, fellow Latin trap artist Anuel AA released a scathing diss track towards Almighty, entitled "RIP Panda", after being taken down from the remix.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1wSsq0Fcv0|title=Almighty - Al Grano Con El Guru (2da entrevista)|website=YouTube|date=12 December 2016 }}
Kanye West sampled the song for his song "Pt. 2" which appeared on his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). In an interview with Big Boy on June 3, 2016, Kanye West announced an official "15 minute" Panda remix, featuring verses from all GOOD Music artists.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/there-will-apparently-be-a-panda-remix-featuring-every-good-music-artist-news.22013.html|title=There Will Apparently Be A "Panda" Remix Featuring Every G.O.O.D. Music Artist|work=HotNewHipHop|date=June 3, 2016|access-date=June 3, 2016}} However, as of 2024, the remix has not seen any release.
"Panda" was used by NBA player Shaquille O'Neal as his WrestleMania 32 entrance music.{{cite web | url=http://hiphopdx.com/videos/id.22821/title.shaquille-oneal-walks-out-to-desiigners-panda-at-wrestlemania-32 | title=Shaquille O'Neal Walks Out To Desiigner's "Panda" At Wrestlemania 32 | work=HipHopDX | date=April 4, 2016 | access-date=April 18, 2016}}
The song is also heard in the television shows Empire, Rosewood, Black-ish, Son of Zorn, Skam,{{cite web|title=Skam|website=IMDb|date=2015-09-25|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5934500/?ref_=ttep_ep1|access-date=October 15, 2016}} and The Last Man on Earth.
The song is also heard in the films The Secret Life of Pets 2 (in which Kevin Hart briefly covers the track) and Baywatch.
Beyoncé used the song as part of a dance break during her song "Diva" in The Formation World Tour.
Music video
The song's official music video was released on May 10, 2016, through the subscription-based digital music streaming platform Tidal. The YouTube video came out on May 17 and has over half of a billion views as of 2023. The night time music video features an urban theme and close-ups of Desiigner himself, with a cameo appearance by Ye (formerly Kanye West).{{cite web|url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2016/05/desiigner-panda-video/|date=May 11, 2016| website=Pigeons and Planes|access-date=May 11, 2016|title=THE VIDEO FOR DESIIGNER's "PANDA" IS FINALLY HERE}} Desiigner carjacks a stopped black BMW X6 and cruises the streets; he then rides shotgun as he raps with Ye driving. At the end, he watches a white X6 doing donuts.
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2015–2016)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Australia|7|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=June 25, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|19|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=July 7, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|13|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=June 17, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia|31|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=July 1, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|4|artist=Desiigner|rowheader=true|access-date=April 26, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Denmark|10|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=June 19, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Finland|10|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=May 15, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|France|16|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2016}} |
|
{{single chart|Germany|13|songid=1532750|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=May 27, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Hungarydance|23|year=2017|week=2|rowheader=true|access-date=January 20, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|Hungarysingle|6|year=2016|week=34|rowheader=true|access-date=September 3, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland|16|year=2016|week=20|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Italy|25|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=July 4, 2016}} |
| scope="row"| Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20){{cite web|url=http://www.olt20.com/Desiigner#fragment-2|title=Desiigner Lebanese Chart Top 20 History|publisher=The Official Lebanese Top 20|access-date=July 31, 2016}}
| 16 |
| {{single chart|Dutch40|15|year=2016|week=24|rowheader=true|refname=dutch|access-date=June 11, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|8|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=May 27, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|4|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=May 6, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Norway|14|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=May 21, 2016}} |
| scope="row"| Portugal (AFP){{cite web|url=http://portuguesecharts.com/archive.asp?todo=show&woche=21&jahr=2016&sparte=s|title=Portuguesecharts.com - Singles (Week 21)|publisher=Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|access-date=June 4, 2016}}
| 9 |
| {{single chart|Scotland|24|date=2016-05-26|rowheader=true|access-date=May 20, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|South Africa|9|date=2016-07-26|access-date=August 9, 2016|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Spain|53|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|12|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=May 14, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|12|artist=Desiigner|song=Panda|rowheader=true|access-date=May 30, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|UKrandb|2|date=2016-05-26|rowheader=true|access-date=May 20, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|UK|7|date=2016-05-26|rowheader=true|access-date=May 20, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Desiigner|rowheader=true|access-date=April 26, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|1|artist=Desiigner|rowheader=true|access-date=April 26, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|21|artist=Desiigner|rowheader=true|access-date=May 17, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|2|artist=Desiigner|rowheader=true|access-date=July 2, 2016}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| Chart (2017)
! Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| Hungary (Dance Top 40){{cite web|url=http://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/dance/2017|title=Dance Top 100 - 2017
|access-date=April 10, 2020|publisher=Mahasz}} | 86 |
=Decade-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2010–2019)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/decade-end/hot-100|title=Decade-End Charts: Hot 100 Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 15, 2019}}
| 96 |
| scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/decade-end/hot-r-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Decade-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 4, 2019}}
| 39 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2022|relyear=2015|access-date=September 5, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2016|access-date=February 18, 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|access-date=February 6, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Platinum|number=4|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2017|access-date=April 27, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Platinum|number=2|id=13489|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|access-date=February 6, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Diamond|relyear=2016|certyear=2016|access-date=October 16, 2016|certref={{Cite news |url= https://twitter.com/snep/status/803645424619786240 |title=#PANDA @LifeOfDesiigner certifié SINGLE DIAMANT avec + de 35 millions Equivalent ventes #download + #streaming #Congrats|date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=January 19, 2017 |work=SNEP}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|title=Panda|artist=Desiigner|award=Platinum|relyear=2016|certyear=2017|access-date=February 3, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|certyear=2017|relyear=2016|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|id=4069|access-date=January 25, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|number=3|relyear=2016|certyear=2021|source=radioscope|access-date=December 25, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2021|certmonth=8|access-date=October 10, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2019|id=file_2020-03-31-16-40-51.pdf|access-date=October 3, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Gold|id=desiigner-panda|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2016|access-date=April 27, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2016|source=artist|access-date=April 27, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|certyear=2022|relyear=2016|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|id=13746-4189-1|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Desiigner|title=Panda|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=2016|certyear=2017|access-date=August 1, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}