Surround Sound (song)

{{short description|2022 single by JID featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Surround Sound

| cover = JID - Surround Sound.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = JID featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate

| album = The Forever Story

| released = January 14, 2022

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

Hip hop
trap

| length = 3:49

| label =

| writer =

Destin Route
Shéyaa Abraham-Joseph
Tate Ferris
Gabriel Guerra
John Welch
Nuri Saberin

| producer =

DJ Scheme
Christo
Nuri

| chronology = JID

| prev_title = Enemy

| prev_year = 2021

| next_title = Dope

| next_year = 2022

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = 21 Savage

| type = single

| prev_title = Outlawz

| prev_year = 2021

| title = Surround Sound

| year = 2022

| next_title = Don't Play That

| next_year = 2022

}}

{{Extra chronology

| artist = Baby Tate

| type = single

| prev_title = Hot One

| prev_year = 2021

| title = Surround Sound

| year = 2022

| next_title = Slut Him Out Again

| next_year = 2022

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|Y19q-7VN2WI|"Surround Sound"}}}}

}}

"Surround Sound" is a song by American rapper JID featuring British-American rapper 21 Savage and fellow American rapper Baby Tate, released on January 14, 2022, as the lead single from the former's third studio album The Forever Story (2022). Produced by DJ Scheme, Christo, and Nuri, it contains a sample of "One Step Ahead" by Aretha Franklin. In late 2023, the song gained a viral resurgence on the video app TikTok after a trend named the "Ceiling Challenge" was created. As a result, more than 57,000 videos were made using the song. The trend caused the song to peak at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2024, two years after its original release.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Molly |date=2023-11-20 |title=TikTok has found the best 'twerking angle' thanks to easy trick you can do at home |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/11/20/ceiling-challenge-takes-over-tiktok-as-raunchy-creators-tape-their-phones-to-the-wall/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=HITC |language=en-GB}}

Background

A few days before the song was released, JID previewed the music video on Instagram.{{Cite web|last=Espinoza|first=Joshua|date=January 14, 2022|title=J.I.D Drops Video for "Surround Sound" f/ 21 Savage and Baby Tate|url=https://www.complex.com/music/jid-21-savage-baby-tate-surround-sound-video|website=Complex|language=en}} In a later post, he revealed the inspiration behind the song was from focusing on the environmental sounds and noises around him as a child, to find an escape from his chaotic home life.{{Cite web|last=Marie|first=Erika|date=2022-01-14|title=J.I.D Connects With 21 Savage & Baby Tate On "Surround Sound"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jid-connects-with-21-savage-and-baby-tate-on-surround-sound-new-song.1993752.html|website=HotNewHipHop|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2022-01-21|title=The 5 Best Songs Of The Week|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2173610/the-5-best-songs-of-the-week-417/lists/the-5-best-songs-of-the-week/|website=Stereogum|language=en}}

Composition

In the beginning of the song, a sample of "One Step Ahead" by Aretha Franklin is played and a loop built around it serves as the instrumental. JID raps the chorus and first verse with double entendres and multisyllabic rhymes. The second verse is rapped by 21 Savage, who "mixes gun talk with making sound financial decisions".{{Cite web|last=Fu|first=Eddie|date=January 14, 2022|title=Rap Song of the Week: J.I.D Goes Toe-to-Toe with 21 Savage on "Surround Sound"|url=https://consequence.net/2022/01/jid-surround-sound-rap-song-of-the-week/|website=Consequence|language=en-US}} Near the first half of the song, Baby Tate provides "fluttering vocals" in R&B style closing out of the first part.{{Cite web|last=Okon|first=Wongo|date=2022-01-14|title=JID, 21 Savage, And Baby Tate Fire Shots Louder Than 'Surround Sound'|url=https://uproxx.com/music/jid-21-savage-baby-tate-surround-sound/|website=Uproxx|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Brereton|first=Greta|date=2022-01-16|title=Listen to J.I.D team up with 21 Savage and Baby Tate on new single 'Surround Sound'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-j-i-d-team-up-with-21-savage-and-baby-tate-on-new-single-surround-sound-3138441|website=NME|language=en-GB}} The beat then switches to a "woozy, bass-bombed wobble that artfully weaves in elements from the song's first half". During the second half of the song, JID returns with another verse, which has a darker approach and has been described as "cut-throat".

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews from critics. Tom Breihan of Stereogum wrote that the song "makes it clear, once again, that J.I.D is a masterful technical rapper who can also write a serious hook."{{Cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=2022-01-14|title=JID Teams Up With 21 Savage & Baby Tate On Excellent New Single "Surround Sound": Listen|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2172990/j-i-d-surround-sound-feat-21-savage-baby-tate/music/|website=Stereogum|language=en}} Chris DeVille of Stereogum wrote, "As for the track's leading man, he's switching up flows like it's nothing and toying with the English language on a level most rappers can't approach." Deville also noted JID's "marvelous flurry of syllables" and "sketching out a whole mural's worth of imagery in a single sentence fragment". DeVille praised 21 Savage's verse as well, writing that he "once again shows off his mastery of this kind of soul loop" and comparing it to his song "A Lot".

Music video

The official music video was released alongside the single. Directed by Mac Grant and Chad Tennies, the video opens with JID going into an older model vehicle. He starts rapping as he is driving, with women in the passenger seats of the car.{{Cite web|last=HesAlwaysWrite|date=2022-01-14|title=J.I.D Drops "Surround Sound" Video Featuring 21 Savage & Baby Tate|url=https://thesource.com/2022/01/14/j-i-d-drops-surround-sound-video-featuring-21-savage-baby-tate/|website=The Source|language=en-US}} In a garage, he raps while surrounded by women, and is seen atop a car. 21 Savage performs his verse standing next to JID. Baby Tate sings while lying on top of a car. When the beat switches, the video transitions to black and white. The scene changes to that of an "eerie" house, where JID raps the last verse. Multiple clones of him are also seen in the house.{{Cite web|last=Helfand|first=Raphael|date=January 14, 2022|title=J.I.D shares "Surround Sound" with 21 Savage and Baby Tate|url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/01/14/jid-surround-sound-21-savage-baby-tate|website=The FADER|language=en}}

Live performances

On September 8, 2022, JID appeared on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts, which featured full-band performances of "Surround Sound" among other hit singles.{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/jid-npr-tiny-desk-performance-1234692350/|title=JID Tells 'The Forever Story' On NPR's 'Tiny Desk'|website=Vibe|last=Griffin|first=Marc|date=September 9, 2022|access-date=May 6, 2024}} On January 8, 2024, JID performed the viral song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/j-i-d-surround-sound-fallon-1234942870/|title=Watch J.I.D. Perform Viral Hit 'Surround Sound' on 'Fallon'|website=Rolling Stone|last=Rizzo|first=Carita|date=January 8, 2024|access-date=March 18, 2023}}

Use in other media

The song is featured on the soundtrack of the 2022 video game NBA 2K23.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/es/playlist/official-nba-2k23-soundtrack/pl.u-JPAZZgJsL58Az8R?l=en-GB|title=Official NBA 2K23 Soundtrack by César Muela Ruiz|via=Apple Music|access-date=April 11, 2024}}

On March 1, 2024, the song became a microtransaction in the rhythm video game Fortnite Festival.

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="row"\| Australia (ARIA){{cite web\|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2024-01-29\|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association\|date=January 29, 2024\|access-date=January 26, 2024}} \| 27
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Weekly chart performance for "Surround Sound" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2022–2024) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
scope="row"\| Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA){{cite web\|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/hip-hop-r-and-b-singles-chart/2023-12-25\|title=ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association\|date=December 25, 2023\|access-date=December 22, 2023}} \| 5
{{single chart\|Austria\|65\|artist=JID Feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate\|song=Surround Sound\|rowheader=true\|access-date=November 29, 2023}}
{{single chart\|Canada\|27\|artist=J.I.D-2\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 9, 2024}}
{{single chart\|Germany\|66\|songid=2299168\|artist=JID / 21 Savage / Baby Tate\|song=Surround Sound\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 12, 2024}}
{{single chart\|Billboardglobal200\|49\|artist=J.I.D-2\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 17, 2024}}
{{single chart\|Ireland4\|45\|date=20240105\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 5, 2024}}
scope="row"\| Latvia (LAIPA){{cite web\|url=https://www.parmuziku.lv/chart?type=2&week=2023-W47&limit=100&id=5e472896c97ba\|title=Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 47. nedēļa\|language=en, lv\|publisher=LAIPA\|date=27 November 2023\|access-date=27 November 2023}} \| 10
scope="row"\| Lithuania (AGATA){{cite web\|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s47-2/\|title=2023 47-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)\|publisher=AGATA\|language=lt\|date=November 24, 2023\|access-date=November 24, 2023}} \| 14
scope="row"\| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web\|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5719\|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|date=December 4, 2023\|access-date=December 2, 2023}} \| 21
{{single chart\|Slovakdigital2\|99\|year=2024\|week=2\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 15, 2024}}
{{single chart\|Switzerland\|60\|artist=JID Feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate\|song=Surround Sound\|rowheader=true\|access-date=November 26, 2023}}
{{single chart\|UK\|35\|date=20240105\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 5, 2024}}
{{single chart\|UKrandb\|12\|date=20240112\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 12, 2024}}
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|40\|artist=J.I.D-2\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 17, 2024}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrandbhiphop\|13\|artist=J.I.D-2\|rowheader=true\|access-date=December 27, 2023}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrhythmic\|1\|artist=J.I.D-2\|rowheader=true\|access-date=March 3, 2024}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ 2024 year-end chart performance for "Surround Sound" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs/\|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2024\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=December 15, 2024}} \| 36
scope="row"\| US Rhythmic (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/rhythmic-songs/\|title=Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2024\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=December 16, 2024}} \| 11

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 2024 year-end chart performance for "Surround Sound"

! scope="col"| Chart (2024)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs/|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 15, 2024}}

| 36

scope="row"| US Rhythmic (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/rhythmic-songs/|title=Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 16, 2024}}

| 11

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Surround Sound"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Surround Sound|award=Platinum|artist=JID feat. 21 Savage & Baby

Tate|type=single|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|access-date=January 19, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|award=Platinum|certyear=2024|title=Surround Sound|artist=JID|type=single|access-date=April 19, 2025|relyear=2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Platinum|certyear=2023|title=Surround Sound|artist=JID|type=single|access-date=February 24, 2023|relyear=2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2024|title=Surround Sound|artist=JID feat. 21 Savage and Baby Tate|type=single|source=radioscope|access-date=December 25, 2024|relyear=2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=JID|title=Surround Sound|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|access-date=October 23, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|certyear=2024|title=Surround Sound|artist=JID ft 21 Savage & Baby Tate|type=single|relyear=2022|id=19717-6664-1|access-date=February 16, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|certyear=2024|title=Surround Sound|artist=JID|type=single|access-date=April 18, 2025|number=3|relyear=2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|title=Surround Sound|artist=JID|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|certweek=09|id=20240307121953|access-date=March 7, 2024}}

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

References

Category:2022 singles

Category:2022 songs

Category:JID songs

Category:21 Savage songs

Category:Baby Tate (rapper) songs

Category:Songs written by JID

Category:Songs written by 21 Savage

Category:Songs written by Baby Tate (rapper)

Category:Dreamville Records singles

Category:Interscope Records singles