The Woo
{{short description|2020 single by Pop Smoke featuring 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch}}
{{hatnote group|
{{for|the city with the nickname|Worcester, Massachusetts}}
{{distinguish|Meet the Woo}}
}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox song
| name = The Woo
| cover =
| type = single
| artist = Pop Smoke featuring 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch
| album = Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon
| released = July 10, 2020
| recorded = 2020
| genre = Trap
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=21}}
| label = * Victor Victor
| writer = * Bashar Jackson
- Curtis Jackson III
- Rodrick Moore, Jr.
- Andre Loblack
- Adam Hashim
- Jess Jackson
- Andrew Loffa
- Ray Lennon
- Karriem Mack
- Billy Jones
| producer = 808Melo
| chronology = Pop Smoke
| prev_title = Make It Rain
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Mood Swings
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = 50 Cent
| type = single
| prev_title = Big Rich Town
| prev_year = 2019
| title = The Woo
| year = 2020
| next_title = Wish Me Luck
| next_year = 2021
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Roddy Ricch
| type = single
| prev_title = High Fashion
| prev_year = 2020
| title = The Woo
| year = 2020
| next_title = Gifted
| next_year = 2020
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|G6XthQpk8uk|"The Woo"}}}}
}}
"The Woo" is a song by American rapper Pop Smoke featuring fellow American rappers 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch, from the former of the three's posthumous debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (2020) as well as the EP For The Night (2020). The song was released as the second single from the album on July 10, 2020, by Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. It was written by the artists alongside producer 808Melo, co-producers Rxcksta and JW Lucas, and Jess Jackson, who is also credited as an additional producer alongside 1801 Records, Billy J, DJ Drewski, Jer-Z, K. Mack, and Ray Lennon.
"The Woo" is a Latin-influenced trap song that features flickers of Spanish acoustic guitar. Pop Smoke interpolates 50 Cent's single, "Candy Shop". The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised 50 Cent's and Roddy Ricch's features. "The Woo" was featured in 2020 year-end lists by Vice and Complex. It was nominated for Song of Summer at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards. The song reached number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified a double-platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It reached the top-10 in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Portugal.
An accompanying music video was released on July 20, 2020, on what would have been Pop Smoke's twenty-first birthday. The music visual was directed by Eif Rivera, who had directed several videos for 50 Cent in the past. It features old archival footage edited on vintage TV screens of Pop Smoke performing various tasks while showing 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch being surrounded by expensive cars and women wearing bikinis. The video received positive reviews, with one critic saying it was sentimental.
Background
"The Woo" was created the month Pop Smoke died. Pop Smoke asked 808Melo to play some of his beats, one of which Pop Smoke liked. The rapper said: "Oh, yeah, this is something different. This is what I want." Pop Smoke had not made a verse for the song but made a hook. He admitted to 808Melo he was struggling with writer's block. Steven Victor recalled he had never heard the song before. When he first started talking to 50 Cent about producing the album, Victor sent him a folder of all of Pop Smoke's songs. 50 Cent called Victor and was singing the hook of the song. Victor stated he did not even remember Pop Smoke doing it. Victor described it as a "most obscure joint".{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/pop-smoke-2020-cover-story|title=Cover Story: The Making of Pop Smoke's 'Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon'|work=Complex|last1=Skelton|first1=Eric|last2=Setaro|first2=Shawn|last3=McKinney|first3=Jessica|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085211/https://www.complex.com/music/pop-smoke-2020-cover-story|url-status=live}} Victor commented that 50 Cent took over the song. 50 Cent explained that the song's chorus was written and that Victor had left it all the way open. There was no verse taken off of it, so the chorus played. 50 Cent said he then started the record. 50 Cent took to Instagram, reaching out to Roddy Ricch to help with the song, captioning a post of his: "Tell @roddyricch i'm looking for him, i need him on Pop album".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/hip-hop/9326294/50-cent-pop-smoke-album-executive-producer|title=50 Cent Wants to Finish Pop Smoke's Album With Help From Drake & Chris Brown|magazine=Billboard|last=Lamarre|first=Carl|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406132650/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/hip-hop/9326294/50-cent-pop-smoke-album-executive-producer|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B9NiXiRH4fb/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B9NiXiRH4fb |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Tell @roddyricch I'm looking for him, I need him on Pop album...|via=50 Cent on Instagram|date=March 2, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020}}{{cbignore}}
When 50 Cent invited Roddy Ricch to be on the album, he felt like he should have been a part of it general. 50 Cent recorded his verse while he was going through all Pop Smoke's records to find the right tone for the album. There were three records that he recorded, but he did not want to over-feature on the album, and just decided to be featured on "The Woo". Roddy Ricch had heard a couple of other songs from Pop Smoke but felt like "The Woo" was a good one because it was different from what Pop Smoke would usually record. He recorded his verse while he was in quarantine. He had a studio set up at the house and did it in one night. He called his engineer to cut it. The verse that Pop Smoke wrote for the song was in a different key. Producer Jess Jackson explained instead of not using the song at all, he talked to Mike Dean. Jackson was thinking of melodizing the vocals and tuning them, but could not do it because Pop Smoke would not have liked it. Dean said to Jackson: "Why don't you just do a chord change in the whole song?" Jackson sat down and did a key change for the song. 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch were in B minor, with the song switching up once Pop Smoke raps his verse in G minor. Jackson made the song together from two demos in different keys.{{cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-pop-smoke-woo|title=Inside Track: Pop Smoke 'The Woo'|work=Sound on Sound|last=Tingen|first=Paul|date=November 2020|access-date=February 3, 2021|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321103700/https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-pop-smoke-woo|url-status=live}}
Writing and composition
It was written by Pop Smoke, known as Bashar Jackson, alongside 50 Cent, Roddy Ricch, 808Melo, Rxcksta, and JW Lucas, who have the respective real names of Curtis Jackson, Rodrick Moore, Andre Loblack, Adam Hashim, and John Lucas. Jess Jackson was also credited as a writer. The song was produced by 808Melo while co-produced by Rxcksta and JW Lucas. 1801 Records, Billy J, DJ Drewski, Jer-Z, Jess Jackson, K. Mack, and Ray Lennon were credited as additional producers. Musically, "The Woo" is a Latin-influenced trap song.{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/amp/2020/07/pop-smoke-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-album-review.html|title=Pop Smoke's Story Might Always End With a Glaring Question Mark|work=Vulture|url-access=limited|last=Jenkins|first=Craig|date=July 7, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712073958/https://www.vulture.com/amp/2020/07/pop-smoke-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-album-review.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2020/07/02/pop-smoke-50-cent-roddy-ricch-the-woo/amp/|title=Pop Smoke, 50 Cent, and Roddy Ricch Team Up on 'The Woo'|work=Rap-Up|date=July 2, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=July 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707210802/https://www.rap-up.com/2020/07/02/pop-smoke-50-cent-roddy-ricch-the-woo/amp/|url-status=live}} A.D. Amorosi of Variety said the track is "filled with flickers of Spanish acoustic guitar, and [Pop] Smoke making high and nice with his buds".{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/reviews/pop-smoke-album-shoot-stars-aim-moon-review-1234697480/|title=Pop Smoke's 'Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon': Album Review|work=Variety|last=Amorosi|first=A.D.|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803050657/https://variety.com/2020/music/reviews/pop-smoke-album-shoot-stars-aim-moon-review-1234697480/amp/|url-status=live}} Danny Schwartz of Rolling Stone commented that the track features "arpeggiated guitar lines".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/pop-smokespop-smokes-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-1024461/|title=Pop Smoke's Endless Summer Continues on 'Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon'|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|last=Schwartz|first=Danny|date=July 6, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085156/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/pop-smokespop-smokes-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-1024461/amp/|url-status=live}} Gary Suarez of Entertainment Weekly stated Pop Smoke "emulates the Queens rapper's cadence and tone".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/pop-smoke-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-review/|title=On Pop Smoke's Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, unfulfilled promise looms large|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Suarez|first=Gary|date=July 2, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026181819/https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/pop-smoke-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-review/|url-status=live}} David Arron Blake of HipHopDX commented that Pop Smoke, 50 Cent, and Roddy Ricch "trade bars atop 808Melo's groovy production".{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3704/title.review-pop-smokes-no-1-album-proves-he-was-a-star-outside-of-50-cent-quavos-help#|title=Review: Pop Smoke's No. 1 Album Proves He Was A Star Outside Of 50 Cent & Quavo's Help|work=HipHopDX|last=Blake|first=David Arron|date=July 16, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106090751/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3704/title.review-pop-smokes-no-1-album-proves-he-was-a-star-outside-of-50-cent-quavos-help|url-status=live}} In his verse, Pop Smoke interpolates 50 Cent's 2005 hit single, "Candy Shop", rapping: "Let me take you to the Candy Shop, show you all I got/I put diamonds on your chain to match your diamond ring."
Reception
Vulture{{'}}s Craig Jenkins complimented Pop Smoke's versatility, stating that the song "would've silenced anyone who tried to accuse Pop of being a one-dimensional artist". Uproxx's Wongo Okon labeled it a "well-meshed collaboration of the past and the present".{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/pop-smoke-50-cent-roddy-ricch-the-woo/amp/|title=Pop Smoke Arrives With 'The Woo' Alongside 50 Cent And Roddy Ricch On His Posthumous Debut Album|work=Uproxx|last=Okon|first=Wongo|date=July 2, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020}} NME{{'}}s Dhruva Balram opined that it features a "memorable verse from 50 Cent".{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/pop-smoke-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-album-review-2701075|title=Pop Smoke – 'Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon review: Brooklyn rapper's posthumous debut matches rising star's ambition|work=NME|last=Balram|first=Dhruva|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085143/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/pop-smoke-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-album-review-2701075|url-status=live}} Roisin O'Connor of The Independent wrote that "West Coast Shit" feels "paper-thin" when following "The Woo".{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/pop-smoke-review-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-stream-features-50-cent-a9600326.html|title=Pop Smoke – Shoot For the Stars Aim For the Moon review: Late rapper's album is brilliant and bittersweet|work=The Independent|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085157/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/pop-smoke-review-shoot-stars-aim-moon-stream-features-50-cent-a9600326.html|url-status=live}} Briana Younger of NPR said Pop "sounds scarily like 50 Cent" on the song.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/03/886785596/pop-smokes-first-and-final-album-falls-between-two-worlds|title=Pop Smoke's First And Final Album Falls Between Two Worlds|work=NPR|last=Younger|first=Briana|date=July 5, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029215344/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/03/886785596/pop-smokes-first-and-final-album-falls-between-two-worlds|url-status=live}} Arron Blake said the song has "the most radio replay value" from Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. Jade Gomez from Paste stated the song has "50 Cent's satisfying feature accented with Roddy Rich's vocals".{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/pop-smoke/shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-album-review/|title=Pop Smoke Transcends on Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon|work=Paste|last=Gomez|first=Jade|date=July 8, 2020|access-date=August 10, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085147/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/pop-smoke/shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-album-review/|url-status=live}} M.T. Richards, for Consequence of Sound said 50 Cent "demolishes" the song, saying he would "never tire of 50 [Cent], a cutely insolent schoolyard bully".{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/07/pop-smokes-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-secures-the-late-rappers-legacy-review/|title=Pop Smoke's Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon Secures the Late Rapper's Legacy: Review|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Richards|first=M. T.|date=July 14, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929073127/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/07/pop-smokes-shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-secures-the-late-rappers-legacy-review/|url-status=live}} August Brown of the Los Angeles Times wrote the song has "mournful singing".{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-05/pop-smoke-posthumous-shoot-for-the-stars-album|title=Pop Smoke's posthumous album: A chart-topping debut and a frustrating farewell|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|last=Brown|first=August|date=July 5, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085216/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-05/pop-smoke-posthumous-shoot-for-the-stars-album?_amp=true|url-status=live}}
Ashton Howard of Earmilk said the song is a "complete swing and a miss".{{cite web|url=https://earmilk.com/2020/07/03/brooklyn-legend-pop-smoke-shoots-for-the-stars-on-his-brilliant-posthumous-album/|title=Brooklyn legend, Pop Smoke shoots for the stars on his brilliant posthumous album|work=Earmilk|last=Howard|first=Ashton|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009070558/https://earmilk.com/2020/07/03/brooklyn-legend-pop-smoke-shoots-for-the-stars-on-his-brilliant-posthumous-album/|url-status=live}} David Crone of AllMusic stated Pop Smoke isn't "even given the dignity of a first verse, with featured artists muscling their way in ahead of the late rapper on tracks like 'The Woo' and 'Diana'".{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-mw0003402848|title=Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon – Pop Smoke|publisher=AllMusic|last=Crone|first=David|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085221/https://www.allmusic.com/album/shoot-for-the-stars-aim-for-the-moon-mw0003402848|url-status=live}} Vice ranked "The Woo" at number 45 on their list of 2020's best songs. Kristin Corry remarked that the song is "an alternate universe of what the Brooklyn rapper could have become—a bridge between the rap of yesterday and the sound of tomorrow".{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgzgp7/the-100-best-songs-of-2020-noisey|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2020|work=Vice|date=December 9, 2020|access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210070250/https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgzgp7/the-100-best-songs-of-2020-noisey|url-status=live}} The song placed at number 26 on Complex{{'s}} the Best Songs of 2020 list, with Eric Skelton calling it the catchiest song on the album, and stating it is "a bittersweet moment that hinted at the fact [Pop Smoke] was about to catapult to global superstardom".{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/best-songs-2020/|title=The Best Songs of 2020|work=Complex|last1=Mckinney|first1=Jessica|last2=Gee|first2=Andre|last3=Skelton|first3=Eric|last4=Schube|first4=Will|author5=Khal|last6=Aramesh|first6=Waiss|last7=Cardoso|first7=Deborah|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 19, 2020|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217053852/https://www.complex.com/music/best-songs-2020/|url-status=live}} He concluded by saying "The Woo" is an "undeniable hit, and a lasting reminder of Pop [Smoke's] limitless abilities". It was nominated for Song of Summer at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/2020-mtv-vma-winners-list-1234750218/|title=MTV Video Music Awards: The Complete Winners List|website=Variety|url-access=limited|date=August 30, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017224544/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/2020-mtv-vma-winners-list-1234750218/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/08/vmas-2020-winners-complete-list.html|title=Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, BTS Lead 2020 VMAs With 4 Awards Each|url-access=limited|last=Cuarto|first=Justin|website=Vulture|date=August 30, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831094552/https://www.vulture.com/2020/08/vmas-2020-winners-complete-list.html|url-status=live}}
Release and commercial performance
"The Woo" was released on Pop Smoke's posthumous debut studio album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, as the tenth track on July 3, 2020. The song was later released as the album's second single on July 10, 2020.{{cite web|title=Radio 1 Playlist: Friday 10th July|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3tqPdBWF9yMbTrfjWvfKV8t/radio-1-playlist|publisher=BBC Radio 1|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710125610/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3tqPdBWF9yMbTrfjWvfKV8t/radio-1-playlist|archive-date=July 10, 2020}} Following the release of Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, "The Woo" debuted and peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9417551/pop-smoke-new-lp-chart-billboard-hot-100|title=All 19 Songs From Pop Smoke's New LP Chart on Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|last=Zellner|first=Xander|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=July 19, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085157/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9417551/pop-smoke-new-lp-chart-billboard-hot-100|url-status=live}} The song also peaked at number three on the US Rhythmic chart and number nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single a double platinum certification, which denotes two million units based on sales and track-equivalent on-demand streams. The song peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart, giving Pop Smoke his first top-10 hit in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/56914/pop-smoke/|title=Pop Smoke {{!}} full Official Chart History|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085234/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/56914/pop-smoke/|url-status=live}} The song was later certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), denoting track-equivalent sales and streams of 600,000 units in the UK. It further reached the top-10 in Canada, New Zealand, and Portugal. It reached the top-20 in Australia, Denmark, Ireland, and Switzerland.
Music video
=Background=
50 Cent teased clips of the song's music video on his Instagram account on July 17, 2020. His post was captioned "You know da Vibes, Monday is Pops birthday so Video Monday."{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2020/07/17/50-cent-teases-pop-smokes-the-woo-video-with-roddy-ricch/|title=50 Cent Teases Pop Smoke's 'The Woo' Video With Roddy Rich|last=Jones|first=Jiggy|website=The Source|date=July 17, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126064702/https://thesource.com/2020/07/17/50-cent-teases-pop-smokes-the-woo-video-with-roddy-ricch/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9421345/pop-smoke-the-woo-music-video-roddy-ricch-50-cent|title=Roddy Ricch & 50 Cent Honor Pop Smoke on His 21st Birthday in 'The Woo' Video|last=Mamo|first=Heran|magazine=Billboard|date=July 20, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906172215/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9421345/pop-smoke-the-woo-music-video-roddy-ricch-50-cent|url-status=live}} The music video was later uploaded to Pop Smoke's YouTube channel on July 19, 2020, along with the release of the deluxe edition of Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6XthQpk8uk&ab_channel=POPSMOKEVEVO|title=Pop Smoke - The Woo ft. 50 Cent, Roddy Ricch|publisher=YouTube|date=July 19, 2020|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124055355/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6XthQpk8uk&ab_channel=POPSMOKEVEVO|url-status=live}} The music video was then uploaded to 50 Cent's YouTube channel a day later.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKoP1URluiY&ab_channel=50Cent|title=Pop Smoke Feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch - 'The Woo' (Official Uncensored Music Video)|publisher=YouTube|date=July 20, 2020|access-date=December 29, 2020}} The visual was released that day to honor what would have Pop Smoke's twenty-first birthday. The music video was directed by Eif Rivera, who had directed a number of videos for 50 Cent in the past.{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/pop-smoke-the-woo-video-50-cent-roddy-ricch/|title=Pop Smoke's 'The Woo' Video and the Deluxe Edition Of His Posthumous Album Are Out Now|last=Rossignol|first=Derrick|publisher=Uproxx|date=July 20, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031043200/https://uproxx.com/music/pop-smoke-the-woo-video-50-cent-roddy-ricch/|url-status=live}} Rivera took inspiration for creating the visual by the parking lot scene from the music video from Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Akon's hit single "Kush" (2010).{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr9Z_uQj2tM&ab_channel=POPSMOKEVEVO|title=Pop Smoke - The Woo (Footnotes) ft. 50 Cent, Roddy Ricch|publisher=YouTube|date=August 18, 2020|access-date=December 29, 2020}}
=Synopsis and reception=
The video features old archival footage edited on vintage TV screens of Pop Smoke inside of a tour bus, making music in a studio, performing on stage, and dancing on top of a car.{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2020/07/20/pop-smoke-50-cent-roddy-ricch-the-woo-video/|title=Pop Smoke, 50 Cent, And Roddy Rich Drop 'The Woo' Video|work=Rap-Up|date=July 20, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125112238/https://www.rap-up.com/2020/07/20/pop-smoke-50-cent-roddy-ricch-the-woo-video/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/pop-smokes-the-woo-video-with-50-cent-and-roddy-ricch-arrives-new-video.46227.html|title=Pop Smoke's 'The Woo' Video With 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch Arrives|last=Zidel|first=Alex|work=HotNewHipHop|date=July 20, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008190522/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/pop-smokes-the-woo-video-with-50-cent-and-roddy-ricch-arrives-new-video.46227.html|url-status=live}} The visuals also feature 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch singing the song while being surrounded by expensive cars and women wearing bikinis.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.56920/title.50-cent-roddy-ricch-make-pop-smokes-the-woo-video-feel-authentic#|title=50 Cent And Roddy Rich Make Pop Smoke's 'The Woo' Video Feel Authentic|last=Mendez|first=Marisa|work=HipHopDX|date=July 20, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922044755/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.56920/title.50-cent-roddy-ricch-make-pop-smokes-the-woo-video-feel-authentic|url-status=live}} The video also shows women kissing and hugging each other.
The music video was met with positive reviews from critics. The staff of Rap-Up described the music video as a "steamy clip". Marisa Mendez of HipHopDX stated that the visual "provides an authentic feel despite the absence of its key player". Writing for HotNewHipHop, Alex Zidel commented it was "nice to see some throwback footage of Pop having fun in the studio added into the video," but opined that the "moment is certainly sentimental for fans of the late Brooklyn rapper".
The music video on YouTube has received over 205 million views as of April 2024.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6XthQpk8uk Pop Smoke - The Woo ft. 50 Cent, Roddy Ricch].YouTube
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.{{Cite web|title=Credits / Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon / Pop Smoke|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/147262720/credits|publisher=Tidal|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105085209/https://listen.tidal.com/album/147262720/credits|url-status=live}}
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
- Pop Smoke{{spaced ndash}} vocals, songwriter
- 50 Cent{{spaced ndash}} vocals, songwriter
- Roddy Ricch{{spaced ndash}} vocals, songwriter
- 808Melo{{spaced ndash}} production, programming songwriter
- Jess Jackson{{spaced ndash}} mastering engineer, mixing engineer, additional production, songwriter
- Rxcksta{{spaced ndash}} co-production, songwriter
- Jw Lucas{{spaced ndash}} co-production, songwriter
- 1801 Records{{spaced ndash}} additional production
- Billy J{{spaced ndash}} additional production
- DJ Drewski{{spaced ndash}} additional production
- Jer-Z{{spaced ndash}} additional production
- K. Mach{{spaced ndash}} additional production
- Ray Lennon{{spaced ndash}} additional production
- Cheese{{spaced ndash}} engineer
- Ky Miller{{spaced ndash}} engineer
- Chris Dennis{{spaced ndash}} recording engineer
- Derek Ali{{spaced ndash}} vocal mixing
- Rose Adams{{spaced ndash}} assistant mixing engineer
- Sage Skofield{{spaced ndash}} assistant mixing engineer
- Sean Solymar{{spaced ndash}} assistant mixing engineer
{{Div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "The Woo" ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|18|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=September 25, 2020|refname="aus"}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|42|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=July 15, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|32|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=July 24, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia Tip|15|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=August 21, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|6|artist=Pop Smoke|rowheader=true|access-date=July 14, 2020|refname="can"}} |
| {{single chart|Denmark|17|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=September 25, 2020|refname="den"}} |
| {{single chart|Germany|86|songid=2033353|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020}} |
| scope="row"| Iceland (Tónlistinn){{cite web|url=http://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/|title=Tónlistinn – Lög|trans-title=The Music – Songs|language=is|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716061046/http://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/|archive-date=July 16, 2020|url-status=dead}}
| 15 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Ireland4|13|date=20200710|rowheader=true|access-date=July 13, 2020|refname="ire"}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|44|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|10|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=September 25, 2020|refname="new"}} |
| {{single chart|Norway|31|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=September 25, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Portugal|6|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=August 22, 2020|refname="port"}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|23|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|14|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|song=The Woo|rowheader=true|access-date=August 30, 2020|refname="swizz"}} |
| {{single chart|UK|9|date=20200710|rowheader=true|access-date=July 13, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|11|artist=Pop Smoke|rowheader=true|access-date=July 14, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|9|artist=Pop Smoke|rowheader=true|access-date=July 14, 2020|refname="hiphop2"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|3|artist=Pop Smoke|rowheader=true|access-date=October 13, 2020|refname="rhythmic"}} |
| scope="row"| US Rolling Stone Top 100{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2020-07-14|title=Top 100 Songs, July 3, 2020 - July 9, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|access-date=July 14, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716131527/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2020-07-14/|url-status=live}}
| 4 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "The Woo"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Pop Smoke|title=The Woo|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|access-date=April 25, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|artist=Pop Smoke|title=The Woo|access-date=April 25, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=The Woo|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|id=12963|access-date=September 27, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=The Woo|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Rich|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|access-date=November 7, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=The Woo|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|id=9454|access-date=December 14, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch|title=The Woo|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|source=radioscope|access-date=December 28, 2024|relyear=2020|certyear=2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Pop Smoke feat. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch|title=The Woo|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|id=file_2023-01-30-17-47-02.pdf|access-date=February 7, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Pop Smoke/50 Cent/Roddy Ricch|title=The Woo|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|access-date=September 24, 2022|id=16700-5379-1|refname="ukcert"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Pop Smoke|title=The Woo|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|access-date=March 9, 2021|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|type=single|artist=Pop Smoke|title=The Woo|award=Gold|id=20210315181113|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|certweek=9|access-date=October 18, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|artist=Pop Smoke|title=The Woo|award=Gold|source=artist|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|access-date=October 18, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|streamsonly=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Pop Smoke}}
{{50 Cent singles}}
{{Roddy Ricch}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woo, The}}
Category:Songs written by Pop Smoke
Category:Songs written by 50 Cent
Category:Songs written by Roddy Ricch
Category:Songs released posthumously