Ghetto Angels#Remix
{{short description|2019 single by NoCap}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Ghetto Angels
| cover = NoCap - Ghetto Angels.jpg
| type = single
| artist = NoCap
| album = The Backend Child
| released = May 17, 2019{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/ghetto-angels-single/1463686665|title=Ghetto Angels by NoCap on Apple Music|date=May 17, 2019|via=Apple Music|access-date=July 28, 2023}}
| recorded =
| genre =
| length = 3:55
| writer = {{hlist|Kobe Crawford Jr.|Brandon Casey|Brian Casey|Julius McCormack|Melvin Coleman}}
| producer = Juse Dayne
| prev_title = Upset
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = Blind Nights
| next_year = 2019
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|BiQeZDE1t1c|"Ghetto Angels"}}}}
}}
"Ghetto Angels" is a song by American rapper NoCap. Considered his breakout hit, it was officially released on May 17, 2019, as the lead single from his mixtape The Backend Child (2019), after its music video premiered on March 24, 2019. The song was produced by Juse Dayne.
Background
In an interview with Genius, NoCap provided some background information about the song:
I was in LA, and I had already made like 2, 3 songs. But it was the last song for the night. So everybody asleep, really. But I heard the beat, I think, my manager Ada brought me a beat. I'm like, "Yeah that's the one right there." So I just went out feelin' at the time, crazy part about that, I said "long live Lo" in the beginning of the song when I did the video. But when I made the song he wasn’t even dead yet. I went live after I made the song, he coming up under there like this hard, this hard. He passed away before the even song dropped, video dropped. He was already gone. But he heard the song though, it was one of his favorites. Next thing I know he dead. So I really just dedicated the song to him. Even though like I made it before he died. but I still shot a little scene at his candlelight vigil and stuff like that.
NoCap stated he came up with the title as soon as he finished the song.{{cite web |title=NoCap "Ghetto Angels" Official Lyrics & Meaning |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAwQZ7YxTgM |website=YouTube |access-date=28 July 2023 |date=May 23, 2019}}
Composition
The song contains a piano-driven instrumental,{{cite web |last1=Pierre |first1=Alphonse |title=The Ones: NoCap’s "Ghetto Angels" |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/nocap-ghetto-angels-new-song-listen/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=28 July 2023 |date=March 25, 2019}} over which NoCap performs in a style combining singing and rapping voices.{{cite web |last1=Zidel |first1=Alex |title=NoCap: 10 Essential Songs |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/288542-nocap-10-essential-songs-news |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=28 July 2023 |date=May 23, 2020}} Lyrically, he reflecting on losing friends and family in the streets,{{cite web |last1=Seabrook III |first1=Robby |title=The Break Presents: NoCap |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/nocap-interview-the-break/ |website=XXL |access-date=28 July 2023 |date=June 12, 2019}} depicting them as watching over him. He also references his reliance on drugs to cope with his pain.
Critical reception
Pitchfork included the song in their list "The Best Rap Songs of 2019".{{cite web |title=The Best Rap Songs of 2019 |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-rap-songs-2019/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=28 July 2023 |date=December 12, 2019}}
Music video
Remix
An official remix of the song was released on September 30, 2019. It features American rapper Lil Durk and American R&B group Jagged Edge.{{cite web |title=Ghetto Angels (feat. Lil Durk & Jagged Edge) [Remix] - Single |url=https://music.apple.com/ng/album/ghetto-angels-feat-lil-durk-jagged-edge-remix-single/1482107734 |website=Apple Music |access-date=28 July 2023 |date=September 30, 2019}} The former references the many killings in the streets of Chicago, including that of his cousin.{{cite web |last1=A. |first1=Aron |title=Lil Durk & Jagged Edge Join Alabama’s NoCap On "Ghetto Angels" Remix |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/192131-lil-durk-and-jagged-edge-join-alabamas-nocap-on-ghetto-angels-remix-new-song |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=28 July 2023 |date=October 4, 2019}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|title=Ghetto Angels|artist=NoCap|award=Platinum|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|access-date=July 28, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true}}