Ex Calling
{{short description|2016 single by 6lack}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Ex Calling
| cover = 6lack - Ex Calling.jpg
| type = single
| artist = 6lack
| album = Free 6lack
| released = July 25, 2016
| recorded = 2016
| genre = Alternative R&B
| length = 3:31
| label =
| writer =
| producer =
- Southside
- DZL
| next_title = Prblms
| next_year = 2016
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|4Rh0228Xx0A|"Ex Calling"}}}}
}}
"Ex Calling" is the debut single by American singer 6lack. It was first released on May 17, 2016{{cite web |title=6LACK - Ex Calling (Audio) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7bzz8uIjy4 |website=YouTube |access-date=2 April 2025 |date=May 17, 2016}} before being released to streaming services on July 25, 2016{{cite web |title=Ex Calling - Single |url=http://www.free6lack.com/music/ex-calling-single |website=Free6lack.com |access-date=2 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202050151/https://www.free6lack.com/music/ex-calling-single |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |date=July 25, 2016}} as the lead single from his debut studio album Free 6lack (2016). Produced by Southside and DZL, the song is a remix of "Perkys Calling" by American rapper Future from the mixtape Purple Reign (2016).
Background
In an interview with Genius, 6lack revealed the song was referring to all of his previous romantic partners. He stated, "'Ex Calling' was literally a collage of all my exes. I just combined them into one mega ex and just made a song about all of them. She was in there somewhere. I just fused them all into the greatest ex of all time."{{cite web |title=6LACK "Ex Calling" Official Lyrics & Meaning {{!}} Verified |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZN9XBK4CbU |website=YouTube |access-date=2 April 2025 |date=March 1, 2017}}
Composition
The production contains sparse piano and "alternating bass kicks that speed up the pace".{{cite web |last1=Duricy |first1=Brian |title=6lack: Free 6lack |url=https://www.popmatters.com/6lack-free-6lack-2495406632.html |website=PopMatters |access-date=2 April 2025 |date=30 November 2016}} Lyrically, 6lack reflects on his past relationships,{{cite web |last1=Dandridge-Lemco |first1=Ben |title=6LACK Shares “Ex Calling” Video |url=https://www.thefader.com/2016/12/05/6lack-shares-ex-calling-video |website=The Fader |access-date=2 April 2025 |date=December 5, 2016}} especially dealing with his self-growth following a toxic relationship{{cite web |title=Free 6lack |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/6lack-free_6lack |website=Exclaim! |access-date=2 April 2025 |date=November 17, 2016}} and refusal to answer the phone when his ex calls him.
Music video
The music video was released on December 5, 2016. Shot in black-and-white, it sees 6lack wandering through town{{cite web |last1=Berry |first1=Peter A. |title=6LACK Can Hear His 'Ex Calling' in His New Video |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/6lack-ex-calling-new-video/ |website=XXL |access-date=2 April 2025 |date=December 5, 2016}} and visiting a strip club,{{cite web |last1=Goddard |first1=Kevin |title=6LACK "Ex Calling" Video |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/515135-6lack-ex-calling-video-new-video |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=2 April 2025 |date=December 6, 2016}} where he throws money on some dancers.
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2017)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardbubbling100|24|artist=6lack|rowheader=true|access-date=April 2, 2025}} |
| scope="row" | US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/6lack/chart-history/bubbling-under-r-b-hip-hop-songs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922033250/https://www.billboard.com/music/6lack/chart-history/bubbling-under-r-b-hip-hop-songs|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 22, 2018|title=6LACK Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles|work=Billboard|access-date=April 2, 2025}}
| 3 |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=6lack|title=Ex Calling|award=Platinum|type=single|number=2|relyear=2016|certyear=2023|access-date=2 April 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=6lack|title=Ex Calling|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2019|source=radioscope|access-date=2 April 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=6lack|title=Ex Calling|award=Platinum|type=single|number=2|relyear=2016|certyear=2023|access-date=April 2, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}