Login
Login

OTW (Khalid, Ty Dolla Sign and 6lack song)

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox song

| name = OTW

| cover = Khalid, 6lack and Ty Dolla Sign OTW.png

| type = single

| artist = Khalid, Ty Dolla Sign and 6lack

| EP = Suncity {{noitalic|(vinyl edition)}}

| released = {{start date|2018|4|20}}

| genre = R&B

| length = {{duration|m=4|s=23}}

| label = RCA

| writer = * Khalid Robinson

| producer = Nineteen85

| chronology = Khalid

| prev_title = Lovely

| prev_year = 2018

| next_title = Youth

| next_year = 2018

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = 6lack

| type = single

| prev_title = Cutting Ties

| prev_year = 2018

| title = OTW

| year = 2018

| next_title = Switch

| next_year = 2018

}}

{{Extra chronology

| artist = Ty Dolla Sign

| type = single

| prev_title = Off Guard

| prev_year = 2018

| title = OTW

| year = 2018

| next_title = Accelerate

| next_year = 2018

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|2e9diL0xTN4|"OTW"}}

}}

}}

"OTW" (an acronym for "on the way") is a song by American singers Khalid, Ty Dolla Sign, and 6lack. The artists wrote the song with Brian Alexander Morgan, Idan Kalai and producer Nineteen85. It was released by RCA Records on April 20, 2018, as a stand-alone single, before being added as a bonus track to the vinyl of Khalid's EP Suncity (2018).

Release

On March 31, 2018, Khalid posted a snippet of the song on Twitter.{{cite news|last=Espinoza|first=Joshua|title=Khalid Teams Up With Ty Dolla Sign and 6lack on "OTW"|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2018/04/stream-khalid-otw-track-featuring-6lack-ty-dolla-sign|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=Complex|date=April 20, 2018}} He officially announced the single during the nominations announcement for the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Desire|title=Khalid To Release Single With Ty Dolla $ign & 6LACK On Friday|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/04/khalid-ty-dolla-sign-6lack-new-song/|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=Vibe|date=April 17, 2018}}

Composition

"OTW" is a dark and melodic R&B song with '90s influences.{{cite news|last=Younger|first=Briana|title="OTW" [ft. 6LACK, Ty Dolla $ign] by Khalid Review|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/khalid-otw-ft-6lack-ty-dolla-dollarign/|access-date=April 26, 2018|work=Pitchfork|date=April 24, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Renshaw|first=David|title=Khalid teams up with Ty Dolla $ign and 6LACK on new song "OTW"|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/04/20/khalid-ty-dolla-sign-6lack-otw|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=The Fader|date=April 20, 2018}} It features a "silky smooth" and "mellow" production,{{cite magazine|last=Cummings-Grady|first=Mackenzie|title=Khalid Tells Croons His Way to a Lover In Steamy New Song 'OTW': Listen|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8357956/khalid-new-song-otw-ty-dolla-sign-6lack|access-date=April 21, 2018|magazine=Billboard|date=April 20, 2018}}{{cite news|title=New Music: Khalid, 6LACK, & Ty Dolla $ign – 'OTW'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2018/04/19/new-music-khalid-6lack-ty-dolla-sign-otw/|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=Rap-Up|date=April 19, 2018}}{{cite news|title=The 5 Biggest Songs To Drop This Week|url=http://www.capitalxtra.com/playlists/best-2018/songs-week/20th-april/|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=Capital XTRA|date=April 20, 2018}} backed by "a trap-infused R&B beat".{{cite news|last=McKinney|first=Jessica|title=Khalid Teams Up With Ty Dolla $ign And 6lack For The Smooth Track, "OTW"|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/04/khalid-otw-ty-dolla-sign-6lack-listen-stream/|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=Vibe|date=April 20, 2018}} A booty-call theme channels throughout the track,{{cite magazine|last=Reed|first=Ryan|title=Hear Khalid's Seductive New Song 'OTW' With Ty Dolla $ign, 6lack|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-khalids-new-song-otw-with-ty-dolla-sign-6lack-w519390|access-date=April 21, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 20, 2018}} as the artists sing about meeting up with a love interest.{{cite news|last=Coleman II|first=C. Vernon|title=Ty Dolla Sign and 6lack Join Khalid on New Song "OTW"|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2018/04/khalid-otw-ty-dolla-sign-6lack/|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=XXL|date=April 20, 2018}}

Critical reception

Michael Love Michael of Paper regarded the song as "a refreshing slice of smooth, radio-ready, but throwback '90s R&B". He praised the song's "undercurrent of bittersweet melancholy characteristic of the genre's most forward-thinking productions", describing it as "an addictively rhythmic tune".{{cite news|last=Michael|first=Michael|title=Bops Only: 10 Songs You Need To Start Your Weekend Right|url=http://www.papermag.com/friday-bops-7-1-2561764121.html|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=Paper|date=April 20, 2018}} MTV News' Ross McNeilage wrote: "The slick and sultry track is a nice extension from the sound of his debut album, and 6LACK and Ty Dolla $ign complement the song perfectly."{{cite news|last=McNeilage|first=Ross|title=New Music Round-Up: Ariana Grande, Liam Payne, Anne-Marie|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/r691w8/new-music-roundup-ariana-grande-liam-payne-annemarie|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=MTV News|date=April 20, 2018}} Devin Ch of HotNewHipHop praised Khalid's songwriting talents, writing that "all performers adhere to the general 'vibe' of the song".{{cite news|last=Ch|first=Devin|title=Khalid Taps Ty Dolla $ign & 6LACK For Virtuoso Performances On "OTW"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/khalid-taps-ty-dolla-sign-and-6lack-for-virtuoso-performances-on-otw-new-song.1978207.html|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=HotNewHipHop|date=April 19, 2018}} Lauren O'Neill of Noisey described the song as a destined summer track, writing that it "feels most like a head massage you'll hear all week". He complimented Khalid's ability to produce a "relentlessly catchy but also somehow extremely laid back hook".{{cite news|last=O'Neill|first=Lauren|title=Khalid's "OTW" Is Certified Sunny Day Music|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/wj7y3n/khalids-otw-new-single-stream|access-date=April 21, 2018|work=Noisey|date=April 20, 2018}}

Music video

The music video for "OTW", directed by Calmatic, premiered via Khalid's Vevo channel on July 3, 2018.{{cite magazine|title=Watch Khalid's New Throwback 'OTW' Video With 6lack, Ty Dolla $ign|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/khalid-new-otw-video-6lack-ty-dolla-sign-695537/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 3, 2018|access-date=July 3, 2018}}

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|title=OTW / Khalid TIDAL|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/87666211|website=Tidal|access-date=April 21, 2018}}

  • Nineteen85 – production
  • Eazy - vocal engineer
  • Denis Kosiak – mix engineer, record engineer
  • Chris Athens – master engineer
  • Andy Barnes – record engineer
  • JT Gagarin – record engineer

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2018)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|27|artist=Khalid feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack|song=OTW|rowheader=true|access-date=May 26, 2018}}
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|18|artist=Khalid feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack|song=OTW|rowheader=true|access-date=June 2, 2018}}
{{single chart|Canada|30|artist=Khalid|rowheader=true|access-date=May 22, 2018}}
{{single chart|Czechdigital|69|year=2018|week=21|rowheader=true|access-date=June 7, 2018}}
{{single chart|Denmark|20|artist=Khalid feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack|song=OTW|rowheader=true|access-date=May 9, 2018}}
{{single chart|Ireland3|57|artist=Khalid|rowheader=true|access-date=May 26, 2018}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|50|artist=Khalid feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack|song=OTW|rowheader=true|access-date=May 19, 2018}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|11|artist=Khalid feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack|song=OTW|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2018}}
{{single chart|Portugal|37|artist=Khalid feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack|song=OTW|rowheader=true|access-date=June 6, 2018}}
{{single chart|Slovakdigital2|37|year=2018|week=21|rowheader=true|access-date=June 7, 2018}}
{{single chart|Sweden|52|artist=Khalid feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack|song=OTW|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2018}}
{{single chart|UK|60|date=20180504|rowheader=true|access-date=May 5, 2018}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|57|artist=Khalid|rowheader=true|access-date=May 1, 2018}}
scope="row"|US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/khalid/chart-history/bst/|title=Khalid Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 1, 2019}}

| 6

{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|35|artist=Khalid|rowheader=true|access-date=May 1, 2018}}
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|14|artist=Khalid|rowheader=true|access-date=September 25, 2018}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2018)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2018/singles-chart|title=ARIA End of Year Singles 2018|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=January 10, 2019}}

| 96

scope="row"| Canada (Canadian Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/canadian-hot-100|title=Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 5, 2018}}

| 96

scope="row"| Portugal (AFP){{cite web|url=http://www.audiogest.pt/documents/files/top_vendas/Top_200_2018.xls|title=Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 200 Singles 2018|publisher=Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|language=pt|access-date=August 10, 2020}}

| 162

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 31, 2018}}

| 74

scope="col"| Chart (2019)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-r-and-and-b-songs|title=Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 5, 2019}}

| 35

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2018|certyear=2019|access-date=December 22, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Khalid feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 6LACK|title=OTW|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2021|access-date=November 5, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Canada|artist=Khalid, Ty Dolla $ign and 6lack|title=OTW|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2018|certyear=2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Khalid, Ty Dolla $ign and 6lack|title=OTW|award=Platinum|relyear=2018|certyear=2023|id=13208|access-date=December 1, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Khalid, Ty Dolla $ign And 6LACK|title=OTW|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2018|source=radioscope|certyear=2023|access-date=January 9, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Khalid, Ty Dolla $ign and 6lack|title=OTW|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2021|access-date=October 4, 2021|id=15395-4843-1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Khalid, Ty Dolla $ign and 6lack|title=OTW|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2018|certyear=2019|digital=true}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Khalid, 6lack & Ty Dolla $ign|title=OTW|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2019|source=artist|access-date=September 22, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true|streamsonly=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"| Various

| April 20, 2018

| {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}}

| rowspan="2"| RCA

|

scope="row"| United States

| June 5, 2018

| Urban contemporary radio

| {{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|title=Urban/UAC Future Releases|publisher=All Access|access-date=May 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526231337/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|archive-date=May 26, 2018}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Khalid}}

{{Ty Dolla Sign}}

{{6lack}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2018 singles

Category:2018 songs

Category:Khalid (singer) songs

Category:Ty Dolla Sign songs

Category:6lack songs

Category:Songs written by Khalid (singer)

Category:Songs written by Ty Dolla Sign

Category:Songs written by 6lack

Category:Song recordings produced by Nineteen85

Category:Songs written by Nineteen85

Category:Songs written by Brian Alexander Morgan

Category:RCA Records singles