| "ATM Jam" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single byAzealia Banks featuringPharrell | |
| Released | August 30, 2013 (2013-08-30) |
| Recorded | 2013 |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Length | 3:53 |
| Label | |
| Songwriters |
|
| Producer | Pharrell Williams |
| Music video | |
| "ATM Jam" onYouTube | |
| Remix video | |
| "ATM Jam" (Kaytranada remix) onYouTube | |
"ATM Jam" is a song by American rapperAzealia Banks featuring vocals and sole production fromPharrell Williams. The track was released in 2013, originally serving as the second single from Banks' debut studio album,Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). The track debuted on June 29, 2013, as part of the rapper's set atGlastonbury Festival 2013,[1] with New York radio stationHot 97 premiering the clean, shortened version of the studio recording three days later on July 2.[2] OnJuly 11, 2013, the full studio version of "ATM Jam" was officially released for radio airplay onBBC Radio 1.[3] On November 9, 2013, Azealia tweeted that she would be taking "ATM Jam" off the album and that the song was meant to be a "passing chapter" and not a single.[4]
During an interview withBBC Radio 1 DJZane Lowe—which was broadcast on July 16, 2013[5]—Banks revealed that "ATM Jam" was originally meant for singerBeyoncé Knowles.[6] Explaining how the track then came to be recorded by herself, Banks commented, "She wanted to rap or something and wanted me to write a song, and I could't come up with anything that I thought would be appropriate for her just because I'm so raunchy, but I wrote the song. I wrote like some verses on it andPharrell was just like 'you should just keep it'".[6]
In a 2017 interview with XXL Magazine, four years after the song's release, Banks discussed her disappointment with the single and its surrounding release. Banks stated that the track was originally a leftoverPharrell sent to late rapperMac Miller and that her record label,Polydor Records, pushed for the song's release, despite Banks wanting to release "Miss Amor" as the first single fromBroke with Expensive Taste. Banks also expressed her frustration at collaborator Pharrell and his lack of promotion regarding the single and further stated that after "ATM Jam" was released, "everything fell apart". Consequently, Banks later exited her record deal with Polydor.[7]
"ATM Jam" received mixed reviews from critics. In a positive review of the single, Josiah Hughes ofExclaim! complimented Banks' collaboration with Pharrell Williams, stating that the two sounded "remarkably good together."[8] Chris Martins ofSpin favorably compared Banks' performance to that of fellow rappersNicki Minaj andMissy Elliott, noting her "crisp delivery and occasional foray into the English accent."[9] In addition, Jordan Sargent of the same publication called "ATM Jam" Banks' "best shot at pop relevancy in the States."[10] In a negative review of the single,Fact criticized Pharrell's performance, calling the hook "flaccid" and stating that, "overall, no one sounds that excited to be on the track."[11]
Banks originally announced that the video for "ATM Jam" was shot inNew York City on July 29, 2013, with director Clarence Fuller.[12] However, the video with Fuller was later scrapped for unknown reasons and re-shot with director Rony Alwin, premiering on October 21, 2013.[13]
| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[14] | 55 |
| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders Urban)[14] | 37 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15] | 169 |
| Region | Date | Format(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia[16] | August 30, 2013 | Digital download |
| Finland[17] | ||
| Germany[18] | ||
| United States[19] | September 3, 2013 | |
| United Kingdom[20] | September 27, 2013 |
Shooting the #ATMJAM video in NY on Monday with Clarence Fuller!
