Tap In
{{short description|2020 single by Saweetie}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Tap In
| cover = Saweetie - Tap In.png
| alt =
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = Saweetie
| album = Pretty Bit
| released = {{start date|2020|6|17}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Crunk
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=19}}
| label = * Icy
- Artistry
- Warner
| writer = * Diamonté Harper
- Kelly Rowland
- Lukasz Gottwald
- Gamal Lewis
- Theron Thomas
- LaMarquis Jefferson
- Craig Love
- James Phillips
- Todd Shaw
- Jonathan Smith
| producer = Dr. Luke
| prev_title = Sway with Me
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Bussin 2.0
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|jUIrolORx6M|"Tap In"}}
}}
}}
"Tap In" is a song by American rapper Saweetie, released on June 17, 2020, as the lead single from her upcoming debut studio album Pretty Bitch Music. The song samples rapper Too Short's signature 2006 single "Blow the Whistle", produced by Lil Jon. Too Short provides the intro on "Tap In". Produced and co-written by Dr. Luke, it marked Saweetie's second song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was also featured in a scene of Black Mirror Season 6, Episode 1 "Joan Is Awful".{{cite web|url=https://vaguevisages.com/2023/06/16/black-mirror-soundtrack-netflix-songs/|title=Soundtracks of Television: 'Black Mirror'|author=Q.V. HOUGH |date=June 16, 2023|access-date=July 4, 2023}}
Background
"Tap In" marks Saweetie's first release without a feature since 2019's "My Type"; she explained she had to focus on her artist development because it was something she struggled with.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/06/saweetie-tap-in|title=Saweetie Flips Too Short's "Blow the Whistle" for New Track "Tap In"|work=Complex|last=Price|first=Joe|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}} Saweetie stated that Too Short is one of her favorite rappers,{{cite web|url=https://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article243532292.html|title=California rapper Saweetie to drop the single 'Tap In' and explains her new project title|work=The Sacramento Bee|last=Hicks|first=Leslie|date=June 16, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}} and she was concerned that he would not like the song, however she got his blessing for the sample. With both artists being from California's Bay Area, Saweetie explained: "If you listen to Bay Area hip-hop, it's very fly. It's not necessarily punchlines, but like a fly way of describing what's happening to us or how we're feeling. It's super conversational and very relatable". The song was first previewed on Saweetie's Instagram,{{cite web|url=https://soundigest.com/2020/06/23/saweetie-tap-in-single/amp/|title=Saweetie Is Ready to "Tap In" Your Brain With Her Infectious Raps|work=Soundigest|last=Patel|first=Bhavika|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}} and debuted two days later on Apple Music's Beats 1 Radio with Zane Lowe.{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/saweetie-tap-in-video/|title=Saweetie Samples A Bay Area Classic On Her Energetic New Single, 'Tap In'|work=Uproxx|last=Williams|first=Aaron|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}}
Saweetie has become known for sampling classic hip hop tracks; she also sampled Khia's "My Neck, My Back" on her debut single "Icy Girl".{{cite web |last=Mech |first=Chris |date=June 18, 2020 |title=Saweetie Addresses Her Frequent Use Of Samples Following The Release Of "Tap In" |url=https://genius.com/a/saweetie-s-new-single-tap-in-samples-too-short-lil-jon-s-tap-in |access-date=August 13, 2020 |work=Genius}} She explained her frequent use of samples: "My specialty is able to have an ear for a beat that would sound good if I flipped it or if I sampled it. Hip-hop is built on samples".{{cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90531179/viral-rapper-saweetie-is-ready-to-show-you-who-she-really-is|title=Viral rapper Saweetie is ready to show you who she really is|work=Fast Company|last=Ifeanyi|first=KC|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}}
"Tap In" continued the resurgence of producer Dr. Luke, whose career came to standstill after singer Kesha accused him of sexual assault. Earlier in 2020, he produced Doja Cat's US number-one single "Say So". He also worked with Kim Petras and produced Juice Wrld's top ten single "Wishing Well".{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Entertainment/wireStory/dr-luke-rebounds-saweetie-doja-cat-juice-wrld-71820760|title=Dr. Luke rebounds, thanks to Saweetie, Doja Cat, Juice WRLD|work=ABC News|last=Fekadu|first=Mesfin|date=July 16, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}}
Composition
"Tap In" flips the beat and the signature whistle sounds of "Blow the Whistle", with Too Short delivering the intro: "Don't ever stop if you want to be on top, bitch". Over a bouncy beat{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/saweetie-returns-with-new-smash-tap-in-new-song.1987586.html?_amp|title=Saweetie Returns With New Smash "Tap In"|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Findlay|first=Mitch|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}} and "funky" bass and percussion,{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/amp/saweetie-tap-in-2646192356|title='Tap In' to Saweetie|work=Paper|last=Peay|first=Malik|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}} Saweetie raps about her wealth, dancing and her physical features.
Critical reception
Aaron Williams of Uproxx called the song an "energetic, party-ready bop" and said Saweetie sounds rejuvenated on the song. In a positive review, HotNewHipHop{{'}}s Mitch Findlay stated: "Taking to the infectious bass-driven groove, Saweetie breaks it down with a slick flow, revealing plenty of character as she slides into new and increasingly playful rhyme schemes", and concluded that "her confidence and infectious energy" is seemingly boundless. Travis Grier of Def Pen said the song highlights Saweetie's assets "straight from the beginning" and noted that she lacks no confidence "in any capacity".{{cite web|url=https://defpen.com/saweetie-tap-in/|title=Saweetie Samples A Too Short Classic For Her New 'Tap In' Single|work=Def Pen|last=Grier|first=Travis|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}} Vibe called it a "fresh new spin on an old classic".{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/amp/2020/06/saweetie-releases-new-single-tap-in|title=Saweetie Samples A Too Short Classic On "Tap In"|work=Vibe|last=Vibe Staff|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}} Conversely, Earmilk{{'}}s Hayley Tharp questioned whether Saweetie relies "on already established beats to resonate with listeners, or could this be a careful tactic to build her brand?" Tharp further said Saweetie's verses in the song "leave much to be desired" and "while the hook is memorable, the repetitiveness makes up most of the song. This track's brevity mirrors her previous singles rapping about rich men, a slim waist, and a full derriere".{{cite web|url=https://earmilk.com/voices/hayley-tharp/is-saweeties-success-with-samples-hindering-originality/|title=Is Saweetie's success with samples hindering originality?|work=Earmilk|last=Tharp|first=Hayley|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}}
Music video
The song's official video was released along with the song, on June 17, 2020. Saweetie noted "There's choreo, the looks are crazy. My glam is just real cute" and said her image in the video is how she dressed in high school; baggy pants and a loose t-shirt. She sports claw-like red nails, long hair and bamboo earrings in the visual,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9404473/saweetie-first-stream-tap-in|title=Saweetie Talks 'Tap In,' 'Pretty B*tch Music' & Shows Off Her Favorite Music Video Looks|magazine=Billboard|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}} which features high-energy dance choreography on an iced-out basketball court.{{cite web|url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2020/6/18/saweetie-wants-pretty-girls-to-tap-in-to-her-new-single.html|title=Saweetie wants pretty girls to "Tap In" to her new single |work=ABC News Radio|last=George|first=Rachel|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020}}
Remix
A remix featuring fellow American rappers Post Malone, DaBaby, and Jack Harlow was released on August 28, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Kiefer |first1=Halle |title=Post Malone, DaBaby, and Jack Harlow 'Tap In' for Saweetie's Poppin' New Remix |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/08/post-malone-dababy-jack-harlow-on-saweetie-tap-in-remix.html |access-date=September 5, 2020 |work=Vulture |date=August 28, 2020}} It was teased by Saweetie on social media ten days prior, on August 18, in which there was one featured artist for fans to guess, which was Post Malone.
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| Year
! Organization ! Award ! Result ! Ref. |
|---|
| 2020
|Song of Summer |{{nom}} |{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/|title = Vote Now – Nominees for 2021 MTV Video Music Awards|website = MTV}} |
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance of "Tap In" ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 4, 2020}}
| 53 |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Rhythmic (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/rhythmic-songs|title=Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 4, 2020}}
| 17 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Tap In"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Saweetie|title=Tap In|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|access-date=February 2, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Saweetie|title=Tap In|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=March 11, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Saweetie|title=Tap In|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|certmonth=8|access-date=October 6, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Saweetie|title=Tap In|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|id=17455-5651-1|access-date=October 11, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Saweetie|title=Tap In|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|access-date=January 29, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history of "Tap In" ! Country ! Date ! Format ! Label ! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| June 17, 2020 | {{flatlist| | rowspan="2"| {{flatlist|
| {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUIrolORx6M|title=Saweetie - Tap In [Official Music Video] - YouTube|via=YouTube|access-date=August 16, 2020}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| United States
| August 11, 2020 | {{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|title=Top 40/M Future Releases Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates|publisher=All Access|access-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810135828/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|archive-date=August 10, 2020}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Saweetie}}
{{Post Malone}}
{{DaBaby}}
{{Jack Harlow}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Dr. Luke
Category:Songs written by Post Malone
Category:Songs written by DaBaby
Category:Songs written by Dr. Luke
Category:Songs written by Lil Jon
Category:Songs written by Theron Thomas
Category:Songs written by LunchMoney Lewis
Category:Songs written by Too Short