Rush Hour (Crush song)
{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Rush Hour
| cover = Rush Hour digital single by Crush featuring J-Hope.png
| alt = Overhead shot of Crush in a denim jacket standing and looking up into the camera, surrounded by a white background. "Rush Hour" is written in red uppercase text to the top left side of the photo, with "Crush Feat. j-hope of BTS" underneath it in smaller print.
| type = single
| artist = Crush featuring J-Hope
| album =
| language = {{hlist|Korean|English}}
| released = {{start date|2022|09|22}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 2:57
| label = P Nation
| writer =
- Crush
- J-Hope
- Penomeco
| producer =
| chronology = Crush
| prev_title = Happier (with Psy)
| prev_year = 2022
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = J-Hope
| type = single
| prev_title = Arson
| prev_year = 2022
| title = Rush Hour
| year = 2022
| next_title = On the Street
| next_year = 2023
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|PS0qkO5qty0|"Rush Hour"}}}}
}}
"Rush Hour" is a song by South Korean singer Crush featuring J-Hope of BTS. Released as a digital single on September 24, 2022, by P Nation through Dreamus, the song is Crush's first project since completing his mandatory military service in August. It was co-written by Crush, J-Hope, and Penomeco. An accompanying music video was released the same day as the single and shows Crush and J-Hope singing the song and performing choreography together with a group of dancers in an alleyway and on the street.
The single peaked at number four on the South Korean Circle Digital Chart and number one on Billboard{{'}}s World Digital Song Sales chart in the United States. It won R&B Track of the Year at the 2023 Korean Hip-hop Awards.
Music and lyrics
Sung in both Korean and English, "Rush Hour" is a "jazzy",{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bts-j-hope-crush-rush-hour-watch-1235142935/|title=BTS' J-Hope & Crush Get Funky on New Collab 'Rush Hour': Listen|last=Bowenbank|first=Starr|date=September 22, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922161526/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bts-j-hope-crush-rush-hour-watch-1235142935/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 5, 2022}} "Nineties vibe-filled",{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bts-j-hope-crush-rush-hour-1234598261/|url-access=subscription|title=BTS' J-Hope Joins Crush for His First Single Since Military Service, 'Rush Hour'|last=Mier|first=Tomás|date=September 22, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922211916/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bts-j-hope-crush-rush-hour-1234598261/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=dead|access-date=October 4, 2022}} "funk and soul track"{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/crush-bts-jhope-rush-hour/|title=Crush Returns To The Music Scene With Help Of BTS' J-Hope In 'Rush Hour'|last=Frances|first=Lai|date=September 22, 2022|website=Uproxx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922144137/https://uproxx.com/pop/crush-bts-jhope-rush-hour/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 5, 2022}} with a "groovy hip hop instrumental"{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/crush-bts-j-hope-digital-single-rush-hour-music-video-release-3312416|title=Crush joins forces with BTS' J-hope on upcoming digital single 'Rush Hour'|last=Yep|first=Gladys|date=September 19, 2022|website=NME|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919083346/https://www.nme.com/news/music/crush-bts-j-hope-digital-single-rush-hour-music-video-release-3312416|archive-date=September 19, 2022|url-status=dead|access-date=September 19, 2022}} written by Crush, J-Hope, and Penomeco. In his opening verse, Crush references his absence from and subsequent return to music following the end of his conscription: "It's been 2 whole years of this/Held my tongue for way too long/Set my destination to the studio, 'cause I can/This is Crush hour get out the way." The song compares people gathering together to enjoy "Crush hour" to a traffic jam, a metaphor the singer emphasizes again in the first chorus when he sings "So let me hear y'all scream hibihibi hop, just like that/Again clap clap clap and then hit that/Gather one and all like traffic jam/Get up, get up." J-Hope comes in next with "a fun verse" showcasing "classic rap braggadocio about his meteoric rise to fame as a member of BTS: 'Yo, I've been walking on the streets, yo/ From Seoul Forest and around the block/ But wherever I go now, it's a red carpet feel, yo/ Cameras snapping wherever I go, like flash-flash/ Crowds of people, feels like traffic.{{'}}" The rapper also keeps in line with the established theme of celebrating Crush's comeback as he continues: "Y'all trippin', whole lotta freaks/And now, [it's] Crush hour/ Imma just follow his lead".
Background and release
Crush and J-Hope first came in contact when J-Hope reached out to the singer with a request for him to perform at his sister's wedding.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000635660|script-title=ko:크러쉬 "BTS 제이홉 친누나 결혼 축가 불러줘, 오디션 보는 느낌"(아는 형님)|last=Seo|first=Yu-na|date=October 1, 2022|work=Newsen|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010065231/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000635660|archive-date=October 10, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2022|via=Naver}} As a token of thanks to Crush for fulfilling that request, J-Hope later visited the singer at his studio and the two had a meal and drinks together. They discussed various things during that time including music. J-Hope informed Crush about his then-upcoming debut album and asked the singer for feedback on the project. Crush obliged and was so impressed with the quality and consistency of the music that he told J-Hope about "Rush Hour" in return. After playing the track for the rapper, who liked it very much, Crush asked if he wanted to feature on the song and J-Hope agreed. The singer later said, in interviews subsequent to the single's release, that that day did not feel like they just said "Let's work together" and then did it, but that they had become friends.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000632307|script-title=ko:크러쉬 "'러시 아워' 반응에 BTS 제이홉도 긴장" 피처링 작업 비화 공개(두데)|last=Seo|first=Yu-na|date=September 23, 2022|work=Newsen|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010082929/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000632307|archive-date=October 10, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 10, 2022|via=Naver}}
The song was recorded at Studio Wanderlust and Hope World in South Korea. Mixing took place at Stay Tuned Studios, while mastering was done by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=11062364|script-title=ko:앨범 정보 [싱글] Rush Hour – Crush|website=Melon|language=ko|trans-title=Album information [Single] Rush Hour – Crush|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922153228/https://www.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=11062364|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 5, 2022}}{{Cbignore}}
On September 6, 2022, Crush's label P Nation made a "Coming Up Next" post on its social media featuring a close-up photo of the singer's face styled as an AirDrop request. "크러쉬'님이 컴백 일정을 공유하려고 합니다", which translates to "Crush would like to share a comeback schedule", was displayed atop the image, with options to Accept or Decline the request, while "CRUSH COMEBACK" was printed in English at the bottom.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001786614|script-title=ko:크러쉬, 컴백 예고...소집해제 후 첫 음악 활동 '기대 UP'|last=Lee|first=Yoo-na|date=September 7, 2022|work=YTN News|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004231147/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001786614|archive-date=October 4, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2022|via=Naver}} The following day, a moving poster of Crush in the driver's seat of a car, turning to stare into the camera as horns blare loudly in the background, was shared online, with "Rush Hour" and "2022.9.22 6PM KST" displayed on the lower half of the visual. News media revealed that "Rush Hour" was the title of the singer's upcoming single slated for release on various music platforms at the time and date shown in the poster.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000626380|script-title=ko:크러쉬, 신곡 'Rush Hour' 22일 발매 확정…2년만 컴백|last=Kim|first=Myung-mi|date=September 8, 2022|work=Newsen|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004231645/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000626380|archive-date=October 4, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2022|via=Naver}} A "Jacket Mood" teaser, similar in design to a lookbook, showcasing collages of various outfits, shoes and accessories for the singer, was released on September 13. The first set of concept photos for the single, featuring Crush wearing items seen in the mood teaser, followed later that same day.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000627796|script-title=ko:크러쉬, 자유분방 악동 에너지 발산…'Rush Hour' 콘셉트 포토|last=Lee|first=Min-ji|date=September 14, 2022|work=Newsen|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914023341/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000627796|archive-date=September 14, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2022|via=Naver}} Two more sets of concept photos were published on September 14.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003645949|script-title=ko:크러쉬, 파격적인 반항아 무드…이빨에 뭐 한 거야?|last=Oh|first=Yoon-Joo|date=September 15, 2022|work=My Daily|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005004138/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003645949|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2022|via=Naver}} A minute-long clip containing behind-the-scenes footage of the song's recording process and related photoshoots was shared on September 15,{{cite tweet|user=OfficialPnation|number=1570336764241543168|date=September 15, 2022|title=[Crush] 'Rush Hour' in a Min. Crush Digital Single 'Rush Hour' 2022.09.22 (THU) 6PM KST #Crush #크러쉬 #RushHour #220922_6pmKST #PNATION #피네이션|link=no|access-date=October 4, 2022}} while the cover art was posted on September 16.{{cite tweet|user=OfficialPnation|number=1570699140065017857|date=September 16, 2022|title=[Crush] ON-LINE COVER Crush Digital Single 'Rush Hour' 2022.09.22 (THU) 6PM KST #Crush #크러쉬 #RushHour #220922_6pmKST #PNATION #피네이션|link=no|access-date=October 5, 2022}} A short lyric teaser clip was posted on two days later.
Crush's first single in two years since enlisting to fulfill his mandatory military service, "Rush Hour" was released as scheduled on September 22, 2022.
Music video
Three teasers preceded the music video. The first, released on September 19, showed a crowded street with pedestrians moving in reverse as the song's instrumental plays. They begin dancing around Crush who eventually joins them. The end of the clip revealed J-Hope of BTS as the featured artist on the track when his name appeared onscreen below the single's title. At the time, no announcement was made
regarding his inclusion in the music video.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003917485|script-title=ko:크러쉬, 방탄 제이홉과 손잡았다…'Rush Hour' 피처링 오픈 [공식]|last=Lee|first=Ji-hyun|date=September 19, 2022|work=Sports Chosun|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919092646/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003917485|archive-date=September 19, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2022|via=Naver}} The second teaser, released the following day, showed two men from afar with their backs to the camera, leaning against a parked car outside a coffee shop. When the camera zooms in, both men turn around, revealing themselves to be J-Hope and Crush, thereby confirming the former's participation in the video.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003588733|script-title=ko:크러쉬, 방탄소년단 제이홉과 역대급 컬래버..MV까지 출연|last=Kim|first=Ji-hye|date=September 20, 2022|work=Herald Pop|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005024531/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003588733|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2022|via=Naver}} A third and final teaser, released on the 21st, highlighted a dance sequence from the music video. It features Crush and J-Hope performing point choreography{{efn|In K-pop, a point dance or point choreography refers to a signature dance move or the most prominent dance move within a set choreography that "match[es] and highlight[es] the characteristics of the lyrics and rhythm of [a] song." They are usually easy-to-follow movements that help capture the viewer's attention in a song and can be replicated by fans.{{cite news|url=https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20130416/406060/1|title=K-Pop success for easy choreography|date=April 16, 2013|work=The Dong-a Ilbo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005045341/https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20130416/406060/|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 5, 2022}}}} together with a group of dancers.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004702902|script-title=ko:크러쉬, 방탄소년단 제이홉과 'Rush Hour' 안무→자체 토크쇼까지|last=Kyung|first=Jimin|date=September 21, 2022|work=Osen|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005051303/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004702902|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2022|via=Naver}}
Shot in a "big-city setting filled with yellow taxi cars, graffiti painted walls, scaffold-littered side streets and abandoned bus stops", the music video premiered on Crush's YouTube channel simultaneously alongside the single's release on September 22.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/crush-bts-j-hope-digital-single-rush-hour-music-video-release-3312416|title=Crush and BTS' J-hope groove it out on digital single 'Rush Hour'|last=Yep|first=Gladys|date=September 22, 2022|website=NME|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005014406/https://www.nme.com/news/music/crush-bts-j-hope-digital-single-rush-hour-music-video-release-3312416|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2022}} The visual opens with the same crowded scene from the first teaser. Crush performs the song while walking down the street. He is then seen "chilling out" with a large group of dancers who "perform hip-hop dance moves in the middle of the street". J-Hope arrives next and dances with the dancers while rapping his verse. He incorporates some BTS dance moves in his choreography.
Lai Frances of Uproxx described the music video as "quite reminiscent of a funky West Side Story-like musical production, where Crush is the main character and J-Hope is the supporting act.
A dance practice video was uploaded on September 26. Behind-the-scenes footage of the music video's filming followed a day later.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/j-hope-crush-rush-hour-video-behind-the-scenes-1235145214/|title=Crush & J-Hope Offer a Behind-the-Scenes Look at 'Rush Hour' Music Video: Watch|last=Bowenbank|first=Starr|date=September 27, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927162600/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/j-hope-crush-rush-hour-video-behind-the-scenes-1235145214/|archive-date=September 27, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 5, 2022}}
Promotion and live performances
Crush performed the song on 1theK's RE:@LIVE the day of the single's release. He appeared on episode 15 of IU's YouTube series IU's Palette, released on September 22, where he discussed his comeback, working with J-Hope, and performed "Rush Hour" together with a cover of IU's song "Lullaby".{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003589578|script-title=ko:'아이유의 팔레트' 크러쉬, 방탄소년단 제이홉과 훈훈한 우정..간식 지원까지|last=Kim|first=Ji-hye|date=September 23, 2022|work=Herald Pop|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005191034/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003589578|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 5, 2022|via=Naver}} On September 24, Crush's new driving show, BlackVox, premiered on YouTube, with J-Hope as the inaugural episode's guest. While driving around together, the two artists discussed how the collaboration came about, the song's lyrics, the music video filming, and their friendship. They also sang the song together while it played in the car.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000838574|script-title=ko:제이홉 "크러쉬 형 신곡, 심장이 뛰었다" (BLACKVOX)|last=Ahn|first=Byung-gil|date=September 25, 2022|work=Sports Kyunghyang|language=ko|trans-title=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005194741/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000838574|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 5, 2022|via=Naver}}
Accolades
"Rush Hour" received nominations for Best Collaboration and Song of the Year at the 2022 MAMA Awards,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-mama-awards-nominees-bts-blackpink-full-list-1235160065/|title=BTS, J-Hope, BLACKPINK & More Nominated for 2022 MAMA Awards|last=Bowenbank|first=Starr|date=October 23, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024172725/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-mama-awards-nominees-bts-blackpink-full-list-1235160065/|archive-date=October 24, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=October 23, 2022}} and Global Digital Music – September at the 12th Circle Chart Music Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.circlemusicawards.co.kr/eng/nominees.php|title=The Artist of this year – Global Digital Music Nominees|website=www.circlemusicawards.co.kr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217180736/http://www.circlemusicawards.co.kr/eng/nominees.php|archive-date=December 17, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=December 17, 2022}} It won R&B Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards held in March 2023.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0011736391|script-title=ko:박재범, '한국 힙합 어워즈' 올해의 아티스트…바밍타이거 2관왕|last=Lee|first=Jae-hoon|date=March 11, 2023|work=Newsis|language=ko|trans-title=Park Jae-beom, Artist of the Year at the "Korea Hip-Hop Awards"...Balming Tiger won two awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313004456/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0011736391|archive-date=March 13, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=March 12, 2023|via=Naver}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from Melon.
- Crush – songwriting, composition, arrangement, chorus, drum programming, bass, digital editing
- Hong So-jin – composition, arrangement, drum programming, bass, organ, synth
- J-Hope – songwriting, chorus
- Kim Dong-min – guitar
- Randy Merrill – mastering
- Penomeco – songwriting, composition, arrangement
- Stay Tuned – mixing
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col 2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col 2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Monthly chart performance for "Rush Hour" ! scope="col" | Chart (2022) ! scope="col" | Position |
| scope="row" | South Korea (Circle){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=10&hitYear=2022&termGbn=month&yearTime=3|title=Digital Chart – October 2022|website=Circle Chart|language=ko|access-date=November 10, 2022}}
| 4 |
|---|
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2022 year-end chart performance for "Rush Hour" ! scope="col" | Chart (2022) ! scope="col" | Position |
| scope="row" | South Korea (Circle){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=2022&hitYear=2022&termGbn=year&yearTime=3|title=Digital Chart 2022|website=Circle Chart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113052454/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=2022&hitYear=2022&termGbn=year&yearTime=3|archive-date=January 13, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=January 13, 2023}}
| 90 |
|---|
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2023 year-end chart performance for "Rush Hour" ! scope="col" | Chart (2023) ! scope="col" | Position |
| scope="row" | South Korea (Circle){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=2023&hitYear=2023&termGbn=year&yearTime=3|title=Digital Chart 2023|website=Circle Chart|access-date=January 12, 2024}}
| 85 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Rush Hour" ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format(s) ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row" | Various
| September 22, 2022 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | P Nation | style="text-align: center;" |References for "Rush Hour" release in various territories:
|
|---|
Notes
{{Notelist}}