"Nobody Speak" is a song by American hip hop producer DJ Shadow, featuring rap verses from American rap duo Run the Jewels. The song was first a part of Run the Jewels' Record Store Day release, which was a virtual reality cardboard viewer that included a digital download code for the song. It also acted as the lead single from Shadow's fifth studio album, The Mountain Will Fall (2016). A music video for the song was released on August 24, 2016.
Composition
"Nobody Speak" features rap verses from El-P and Killer Mike of rap duo Run the Jewels, who were credited as the song's writers alongside DJ Shadow. It contains a musical sample of "Ol' Man River" by Caterina Valente, and a lyrical sample from "Top Billin'" (from Audio Two's 1987 album What More Can I Say?).[1]
The instrumental features a funk-like bass and drum groove, brass horns, as well as guitar loops. Shadow chose El-P and Killer Mike as collaborators due to their vocal style fitting the song's instrumental the most.[2][3]
Release
"Nobody Speak" was first made available through the Run the Jewels Record Store Day release. It consisted of a special virtual reality cardboard viewer, which held a code that granted the purchaser to a free digital download of the song.[2] The song was eventually made available for a paid download through Mass Appeal Records.[4] The song was later released as a limited edition 12" vinyl single on August 24, 2016 through Mass Appeal and Liquid Amber.[5]
Music video
A music video for "Nobody Speak" was released on August 24, 2016. The video, which has been described as "brutal [and] politically charged",[6] features political representatives in a meeting. The leaders of the groups begin a rap battle against each other, which after around 90 seconds turns into an all-out brawl involving virtually everyone in the meeting room. The video finishes with one leader preparing to impale his counterpart with an American flag.[6][7]
The leaders of the groups are played by Igor Tsyshkevych and Ian Bailey.[7] Shadow commented on the video, saying that they wanted to make a "positive, life-affirming video that captures politicians at their election-year best. We got this instead."[8] Killer Mike also commented on the video, saying that "It's such a dope video ... it's what I really wish Trump and Hillary would just do and get it over with."[9]
The video was directed by Sam Pilling and features cameo appearances of Shadow, El-P, and Killer Mike.[10] It was filmed at the "Ukrainian Dim" (Ukrainian House) exhibition center in Kyiv, Ukraine.[11]
Use in media
The song has appeared in trailers for films including Suburbicon, Booksmart, and Good Boys.[12]
The song is used briefly in Deadpool 2.[13]
The song is used in The Happytime Murders during a brief fight scene.[14]
A television ad campaign in 2021 for the electric Cadillac Lyriq automobile featured the instrumental portion of the song.[15]
The song also appears in "Prague", the 8th episode of season 1 of HBO's satirical dark comedy drama Succession.
Track listing
- Mass Appeal — MSAP0034 — Promotional CD-R[16] and digital download single[4]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nobody Speak" (featuring Run the Jewels) | 3:16 |
- Mass Appeal / Liquid Amber — MSAP0036LP — 12" vinyl single[5]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nobody Speak" (featuring Run the Jewels) | 3:16 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nobody Speak" (Instrumental) | 3:16 |
| 2. | "Nobody Speak" (Acapella) | 3:16 |
Personnel
Personnel adapted from The Mountain Will Fall liner notes.[17]
- Tim Burns – trombone
- DJ Shadow – arrangement, composing, mixing, production, programming
- El-P – composing, vocals
- Mikael Eldridge – mixing
- Killer Mike – composing, vocals
- Graham Pike – trumpet
- Jake Telford – baritone and tenor saxophone
Charts
| Chart (2016–2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[18] | 33 |
| US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard)[19] | 13 |
| US Rap Digital Songs (Billboard)[19] | 40 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[20] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "DJ Shadow feat. Run the Jewels's 'Nobody Speak' sample of Audio Two's 'Top Billin'". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
- ^ a b Blistein, Jon (April 14, 2016). "DJ Shadow Taps Run the Jewels For Brassy, Bruising 'Nobody Speak'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Web Exclusive: "How I Wrote That Song: DJ Shadow & Run The Jewels 'Nobody Speak'"". The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on YouTube. June 16, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
- ^ a b "DJ Shadow – Nobody Speak (File)". Discogs. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "DJ Shadow – Nobody Speak (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ a b Geslani, Michelle (August 24, 2016). "DJ Shadow and Run the Jewels share brutal, politically charged "Nobody Speak" video — watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ a b Leight, Elias (August 24, 2016). "See DJ Shadow, Run the Jewels' 'Nobody Speak' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ Pearce, Sheldon; Monroe, Jazz (August 24, 2016). "Watch Politicians Brawl in DJ Shadow and Run the Jewels' New "Nobody Speak" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ Josephs, Brian (August 24, 2016). "DJ Shadow and Run the Jewels Soundtrack Politicians' Battle Royale in 'Nobody Speak' Video". Spin. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (August 24, 2016). "DJ Shadow – "Nobody Speak" (Feat. Run The Jewels) Video". Stereogum. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ "Extreme Reach". app.extremereach.com. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
- ^ Berkowitz, Joe (2019-03-11). "No, you're not hearing things: This song is now in every movie trailer". Fast Company. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
- ^ Chill Movie (2019-06-16). Interview Scene | Deadpool 2 (2018) Funny Scene. Retrieved 2024-07-24 – via YouTube.
- ^ TransformersFan (2023-01-29). The Happytime Murders (2018) Edward's Vs Puppet Gang. Retrieved 2024-12-28 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Cadillac LYRIQ TV Spot, 'Lighting the Way' Song by DJ Shadow, Run the Jewels [T1]".
- ^ "DJ Shadow Feat. Run The Jewels – Nobody Speak (CD-R)". Discogs. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ The Mountain Will Fall (album liner notes). DJ Shadow. Mass Appeal Records / Liquid Amber. 2016.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "DJ Shadow Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ a b "DJ Shadow Chart search". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – DJ Shadow – Nobody Speak". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
