Houdini (KSI song)
{{short description|2020 song by KSI featuring Swarmz and Tion Wayne}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Houdini
| cover = KSI - Houdini.jpeg
| alt = Tion Wayne(left), Swarmz (centre) and KSI (right) standing with two female models around a sports car, in a blue-lighted room. The title "Houdini" appears in large blue font at the bottom, with KSI's name in small blue font above and the featured artists' names in small blue font below.
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = KSI featuring Swarmz and Tion Wayne
| album = Dissimulation
| released = 24 April 2020
| genre =
| length = 2:49
| label =
| writer =
- Olajide Olatunji
- Brandon Scott
- Dennis Odunwo
- Ehijie Ohiomoba
- Jacob Manson
- Emmanuel Isong
| producer =
- AJ Productions
- Jacob Manson
| chronology = KSI
| prev_title = Poppin
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Killa Killa
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Swarmz
| type = Singles
| prev_title = Mojo Jojo
| prev_year = 2019
| title = Houdini
| year = 2020
| next_title = Freaky
| next_year = 2020
}}{{Extra chronology
| artist = Tion Wayne
| type = Singles
| prev_title = 4AM
| prev_year = 2020
| title = Houdini
| year = 2020
| next_title = Moncler
| next_year = 2020
}}{{External music video|{{YouTube|0iOSVD1fitU|"Houdini"}}}}
}}
"Houdini" is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI featuring fellow British rappers Swarmz and Tion Wayne from the former's debut studio album, Dissimulation (2020). Produced by AJ Productions and Jacob Manson, the song was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 24 April 2020 as the fourth single from the album. "Houdini" is a UK rap and afroswing track.
"Houdini" received positive reviews from music critics, who commonly praised Swarmz's catchy chorus. The song charted at number six in the United Kingdom, where it has been certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and further charted in Australia, Estonia and Ireland. An accompanying music video was released on 24 April 2020. The video places the three artists in a studio with overhead blue neon lighting, an expensive car and models.
Writing and production
"Houdini" was co-produced by British record producers AJ Productions and Jacob Manson. Swarmz recorded both a chorus and a verse to the instrumental. He sent the track to KSI, who listened to it but "wasn't too sure about it". After playing it to his girlfriend, who "thought otherwise" and said "it would be a banger", KSI decided to go ahead and work on the track, recording a verse for "Houdini". KSI "wasn't too keen on Swarmz's verse", so he decided to replace it with a verse from another featured artist, resulting in the addition of a verse by Tion Wayne. KSI recalled that when deciding which other artist to feature on the song, the decision was between Tion Wayne or Jay1.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-22|title=Dissimulation by KSI / Editors' notes|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/dissimulation/1509047874|access-date=2020-05-22|publisher=Apple Music|language=en|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607071154/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/dissimulation/1509047874|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=2020-05-14|title=KSI opens up about next boxing fight & debut album 'Dissimulation'|url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/news/videos/exclusives/ksi-boxing-fight-new-album-dissimulation/|access-date=2020-05-14|publisher=Capital XTRA|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-05-26|title=KSI Breaks Down 'Dissimulation' With Robert Bruce|url=http://grmdaily.com/video/ksi-robert-bruce-interview|access-date=2020-05-26|publisher=GRM Daily|language=en}}
Release and promotion
KSI revealed the song's title, featured artists, cover art and release date on 17 April 2020 via social media, saying, "we about to drop the biggest U.K. banger of 2020". The song was made available for pre-order on the same day.{{Cite tweet|user=KSI|number=1251124441838428160|title=WE ABOUT TO DROP THE BIGGEST U.K. BANGER OF 2020. Houdini out next Friday. Pre order here|date=2020-04-17|access-date=2020-04-24|author=KSI}}{{Cite web|last=KSI|date=2020-04-17|title=WE ABOUT TO DROP THE BIGGEST U.K. BANGER OF 2020. Houdini out next Friday. Pre order link in bio 📷: @kelvinjoness|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B_FNa58ALGc/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/ksi/2289295009108767132 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |url-access=registration|url-status=live|access-date=2020-04-17|language=en|via=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} "Houdini" was released for digital download and streaming one week later on 24 April 2020 through American independent record label RBC Records, under BMG Rights Management.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-24|title=KSI Releases New Single, "Houdini" Featuring Swarmz, Tion Wayne|url=https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/515167093/ksi-releases-new-single-houdini-featuring-swarmz-tion-wayne|access-date=2020-04-24|publisher=EIN News|language=en}} The song was premiered exclusively on BBC Radio 1 the night before its release.{{Cite web|last=Brinnand|first=AJ|date=2020-04-24|title=KSI Releases New Track 'Houdini'|url=https://teneightymagazine.com/2020/04/23/ksi-releases-new-track-houdini/|access-date=2020-04-24|publisher=TenEighty|language=en}}{{Cite tweet|user=KSI|number=1253416652567281665|title=Big shoutout to @charliehedges and @Melvinodoom GO TO RADIO 1 RIGHT NOW TO HEAR THE NEW TRACK “HOUDINI"|date=2020-04-23|access-date=2020-04-23|author=KSI}} A lyric video, created by BWGRX, was released to KSI's YouTube channel on 8 May 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-08|title=KSI – Houdini (feat. Swarmz & Tion Wayne) [Official Lyric Video]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCh26L2uB7w|access-date=2020-05-08|via=YouTube}}
A remix of the song by DJ group Pink Panda was released on 23 June 2020. An audio video for the remix was uploaded to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-23|title=KSI – Houdini (feat. Swarmz & Tion Wayne) [Pink Panda Remix]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiavY8GBLuc|access-date=2020-06-23|via=YouTube}}
Critical reception
Courtney Wynter of GRM Daily said, ""Houdini" is a polished-sounding single dominated by a fun-filled vibe. Swarmz jumps in first with an infectious hook which is followed by confident lyrics and energetic flows from both KSI and Tion Wayne".{{Cite web|date=2020-04-24|title=KSI, Swarmz & Tion Wayne Join Forces For Huge Single "Houdini"|url=http://grmdaily.com/video/ksi-swarmz-tion-wayne-houdini|access-date=2020-04-24|publisher=GRM Daily|language=en}} Thomas Gillespie of Earmilk said, ""Houdini" is a change of pace from the more American style singles that have come before from KSI. The track is an afro-centric hip-hop club banger that will bar sitting on the charts for weeks to come. UK titans Tion Wayne and Swarmz join KSI on this one and the chemistry is abundant. From the bouncy production and infectious drum pockets to the catchy flows produced by both KSI and Tion Wayne respectively are fantastic. Not to mention, the chorus is by far one of the catchiest and stickiest I have heard in a long time".{{Cite web|last=Gillespie|first=Thomas|date=2020-04-28|title=KSI makes any doubt disappear on "Houdini"|url=https://earmilk.com/2020/04/28/ksi-makes-any-doubt-disappear-on-houdini-video/|access-date=2020-04-28|publisher=Earmilk|language=en}}
= Year-end lists =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Year-end lists for "Houdini" ! scope="col" | Publication ! scope="col" | List ! scope="col" | Rank ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| Amazon Music
| Best Songs of 2020 | 43 | align="center" | {{cite web|title=Best Songs of 2020|url=https://music.amazon.co.uk/playlists/B08PC77GV5|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201201182518/https://music.amazon.co.uk/playlists/B08PC77GV5|archive-date=1 December 2020|access-date=1 December 2020|publisher=Amazon Music}} |
Music video
The song's music video was uploaded to KSI's YouTube channel on 24 April 2020. It has received 29 million views.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-24|title=KSI – Houdini (feat. Swarmz & Tion Wayne) [Official Music Video]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iOSVD1fitU|access-date=2020-04-24|via=YouTube}} The video was filmed in London in March 2020.{{Cite web|last=Deen|first=Sarah|date=2020-04-23|title=KSI hangs out with Swarmz in stripped down music video for new single Houdini as he gears up for 'personal' new album|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/23/ksi-new-song-houdini-swarmz-tion-wayne-release-music-video-pictures-12593442/|access-date=2020-04-23|website=|publisher=Metro|language=en}} The video is directed by Kaylum. The video stars all three artists in a studio with "overhead blue neon lights, an expensive car and models".
Commercial performance
In the United Kingdom, "Houdini" earned the highest new entry on the UK Singles Chart in its first week of release. It debuted at number six, becoming KSI's second song to reach the top 10, and spent a total of 10 weeks on the chart.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-01|title=Times Like These: BBC Radio 1's Stay Home Live Lounge charity single claims Number 1|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/times-like-these-bbc-radio-1-s-stay-home-live-lounge-charity-single-claims-number-1__29643/|access-date=2020-05-01|publisher=Official Charts Company|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=KSI {{!}} full Official Chart History|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/48106/ksi/|publisher=Official Charts Company|language=en}} The song also debuted at number five on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart. On 9 July 2020, Music Week reported that "Houdini" was the UK's 49th highest-selling song of the first half of 2020.{{Cite web|last=Paine|first=Andre|date=2020-07-09|title=How KSI scored the biggest breakthrough of 2020 so far|url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/how-ksi-scored-the-biggest-breakthrough-of-2020-so-far/080349|access-date=2020-07-09|publisher=Music Week|language=en}} On 31 July 2020, "Houdini" was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for track-equivalent sales of 200,000 units in the UK. On 14 September 2020, Music Week reported that "Houdini" has sold 228,569 track-equivalent units in the UK.{{Cite web|last=Homewood|first=Ben|date=2020-09-14|title=Atlantic Records signs 'true trailblazer' Tion Wayne|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/atlantic-records-signs-true-trailblazer-tion-wayne/081095|access-date=2020-09-14|publisher=Music Week|language=en}} In Ireland, "Houdini" debuted at number 11 on the Irish Singles Chart and spent a total of nine weeks on the chart. The song debuted at number 10 on the Euro Digital Song Sales chart. KSI reacted to the commercial success of "Houdini" at the time, tweeting, "Thank you everyone for your support. We're consistently breaking boundaries. They're slowly understanding the power of a YouTuber. Too gassed right now!!"{{Cite tweet|user=KSI|number=1256258938246479880|title=6th!!!! HOLY FUCK. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WE’RE CONSISTENTLY BREAKING BOUNDARIES. THEYRE SLOWLY UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF A YOUTUBER. TOO GASSED RIGHT NOW!!|date=2020-05-01|access-date=2020-05-01|author=KSI}}{{Cite web|date=2020-05-01|title=KSI's New Single 'Houdini' Reaches Number 6 In UK Official Chart|url=https://teneightymagazine.com/2020/05/01/ksis-new-single-houdini-reaches-number-6-in-top-40-uk-chart/|access-date=2020-05-01|publisher=TenEighty|language=en}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|date=24 April 2020|title=KSI / Houdini (feat. Swarmz & Tion Wayne) / Credits|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/136601853/credits|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514091819/https://listen.tidal.com/album/136601853/credits|archive-date=14 May 2021|access-date=24 April 2020|publisher=Tidal}}
- KSI{{spaced ndash}}songwriting, vocals
- Swarmz{{spaced ndash}}songwriting, vocals
- Tion Wayne{{spaced ndash}}songwriting, vocals
- AJ Productions{{spaced ndash}}production, songwriting
- Jacob Manson{{spaced ndash}}production, songwriting
- Eight9FLY{{spaced ndash}}songwriting
- Michalis Michael{{spaced ndash}}mixing
- Henkka Niemistö{{spaced ndash}}mastering
Charts
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Houdini"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United Kingdom|artist=Ksi Ft Swarmz & Tion Wayne|title=Houdini|award=Silver|relyear=2020|certyear=2020|access-date=2020-07-31|refname="BPI"|id=16580-5325-1}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true | nosales=true | noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Houdini" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Version ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| rowspan="2" | 24 April 2020 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="2" | Original | rowspan="3" | {{hlist|RBC|BMG}} | style="text-align:center;"| Releases for "Houdini":
|
|---|
| scope="row"| United Kingdom
| style="text-align:center;"| {{Cite web|url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/radio/playlist/|title=Capital XTRA Playlist|publisher=Capital Xtra|access-date=2020-04-24|language=en}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| 23 June 2020 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | Pink Panda remix | style="text-align:center;"| Releases for "Houdini (Pink Panda Remix)":
|
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{KSI}}
{{Tion Wayne}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:BMG Rights Management singles
Category:Songs written by Jacob Manson
Category:Songs written by Swarmz