| "Billionaire" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byTravie McCoy featuringBruno Mars | ||||
| from the albumLazarus | ||||
| Released | March 9, 2010 (2010-03-09) | |||
| Recorded | 2009 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | Fueled by Ramen | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producer | The Smeezingtons | |||
| Travie McCoy singles chronology | ||||
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| Bruno Mars singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Billionaire" onYouTube | ||||
"Billionaire" is a song by American rapperTravie McCoy from his debut studio album,Lazarus (2010), featuring vocals by American singer-songwriterBruno Mars. It was first released on March 9, 2010, in various countries via digital download as the album's lead single byFueled by Ramen. McCoy co-wrote the song with its producers Mars,Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine ofthe Smeezingtons. The song was created from a melody hummed by Mars and Lawrence. The lyrics were written during an eleven-day trip Mars and Levine made to London to work on a record, supported by Mars's label.
"Billionaire" is areggae andpop-rap song. Critical reception towards the song was mixed, asmusic critics praised the song's style comparing it to the music ofSublime,Jason Mraz andJack Johnson, but criticized its songwriting. Lyrically, the hook is money-driven with political elements in the verses. Such elements include helping those in need, having a show likeOprah and being on the cover ofForbes magazine. The single reached number one in Israel and the Netherlands, number two in Ireland and New Zealand, and also reached the top five in the United Kingdom and the United States. It was certified four-times platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), triple platinum byRecorded Music NZ (RMNZ), twice by theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA),Music Canada (MC) andBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI).
The accompanying music video for "Billionaire", directed by Mark Staubach, was filmed at various locations in Los Angeles, California. The video is interpolated with footage of McCoy driving a Mini Cooper with Mars in the passenger seat. Mars and McCoy, withFall Out Boy'sPete Wentz on the back, are shown riding differentscooters. McCoy is also seen helping four people, as well as a large group at the end. McCoy and Mars performed the song live on Jay Leno'sThe Tonight Show andLate Night with Jimmy Fallon. It was also part of Mars'sSuper Bowl XLVIII halftime show in 2014. The song was re-recorded by Brazilian singerClaudia Leitte; her version outperformed the original single reaching number three on theBillboard BrazilHot 100 Airplay chart. The television show soundtracks ofBeavis and Butt-Head andAmerican Housewife used the song.
During the summer of 2009,the Smeezingtons, consisting ofBruno Mars,Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, were booked for a week of writing sessions forLupe Fiasco,B.o.B andTravie McCoy.[1] The first song the team worked on and recorded with McCoy was "One at a Time", released as a charity single forMTV'sStaying Alive Foundation.[2] Mars and Lawrence usually hummed melodies, whileAaron Bay-Schuck, formerAtlantic RecordsA&R rep,[3] encouraged them to develop the best of those, such as "Nothin' on You" and "Billionaire". In the beginning, they had only "scratch chorus demos of "Nothin' On You" and "Billionaire", with a guitar on the backing track and Mars singing on top of it.[1] It was the first song McCoy began to work on after abandoning the original material for his album.[4]
Mars came up with the lyrical concept for "Billionaire" during a trip toLondon, to work on a record. He and Ari Levine were each given £240 ($350) by Mars's record label to live on for eleven days. Mars found the amount of money to be insufficient, and explained, "We were like, 'Is this the biggest mistake we've ever made? We thought we were broke in California; what are we going to do here?' So we've got no money, and I'm walking the streets and came up with, 'I wanna be a billionaire, so frickin' bad'".[5][6] Mars also claimed that his own finances inspired him to write the track, "I wouldn't have to worry about, you know, I can't afford to get breakfast, so I'll wait until lunchtime to eat".[7]
When Mars first showed McCoy the hook, the latter decided to decline the collaboration, saying to him: "Dude, we're in a recession right now. I'm gonna get crucified". Nevertheless, when McCoy later returned home, he realized the track "had potential". From then on, the rapper began writing his verses with "goofy humor and flashes of political conscience" that "counterbalanced the hook's materialism". McCoy claimed he "made it more relatable".[8] McCoy intended to avoid "superficial" lyrics in the song in the wake of an economic recession, and added, "There's something to sing about here; if I was in the position to have a ridiculous amount of money, would I be selfish or selfless?' I just took that concept and ran with it".[9]
According to Mars, he and McCoy "came up" with the song after listening toThe Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love".[10] Mars was not supposed to feature on the hook of "Billionaire", however, his "charisma" when he sang it prompted McCoy and the label to keep his vocal after the final version was recorded.[5] In a 2025 interview, McCoy stated that he had to push to keep Mars on the track, despite the label's hesitations.[11] He revealed that the original "Billionaire" demo the Smeezingtons brought to him included the lyric "standing next toDiddy and the Queen", but he asked Bruno Mars to change it to Oprah, saying he "[didn't] want to sing Diddy's name every night", and Mars agreed.[12]
On January 28, 2014, Demetrius Proctor filed a lawsuit, claiming to hold the copyright for "Billionaire". Proctor alleged he has owned the copyright to the track's music and lyrics since March 31, 2011, though the song was released a year before. As evidence, he submitted aUnited States Copyright Office registration certificate forFrisky Vol. 1 to 30 (Tapes), issued in 2000. In the suit, Proctor accused McCoy and Mars of "willful and intentional" infringement of copyright, and sought the destruction of all copies of the recording. Proctor claimed he has exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute the song.[13] On November 5, 2020 the case was dismissed, without prejudice, since Proctor failure to prosecute.[14]
"Billionaire" was co-written by McCoy, Mars, Lawrence and Levine. The Smeezingtons were responsible for the music, production and played all the instruments on the track but the bass. It was played by Brody Brown andCharles Monez. Levine recorded and mixed the song at Levcon Studios, inHollywood, California. Eric Hernandez played the live drums, while the drums were programmed byThe Stereotypes. It was mastered byChris Gehringer at Sterling Sound, in New York.[15]
"Billionaire" was first released byFueled By Ramen viadigital download in various countries on March 9, 2010.[16] The single was serviced to U.S.contemporary hit radio on March 9, 2010, by Fueled By Ramen and RRP.[17] On July 23, 2010, Fueled By Ramen released theBillionaire – EP that featured the single, "Bad All By Myself" as a bonus track alongside "Superbad (11:34)".[18] Three days later, "Billionaire" was released in the United Kingdom via digital download.[19] On September 3, 2010, the CD single version with "Billionaire" and the bonus track, "Bad All By Myself", was released in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland by Fueled By Ramen and DecayDance.[20] On September 21, 2010, Fueled By Ramen released a deluxe single edition for digital download which contained "Billionaire", an acoustic version of the song, and the music video for it.[21] A radio cut of the song, which replaces the word "fucking" with "freaking" and is 3:06 long instead of 3:30 was released.[22]
"Billionaire" is an acousticreggae andpop-rap song.[19][23][24] It has a "laid-back ... island feel", evolving into a "reggae-tinged" beat with an acoustic guitar.[25][26][27] Gregory Heaney ofAllMusic compared the song to the works ofSublime, whileDigital Spy's Nick Levine compared it toNo Doubt's "Underneath It All" (2002).[28][19] Rodrigo Perez ofMTV News wrote the song reminded him of a fusion between Sublime,Common andJason Mraz.[25] MTV News' Tamar Anitai thought the song gave her a Jason Mraz,Jack Johnson andShwayze's "Corona and Lime" (2008) summer vibe. James Montgomery felt the same way, dubbing it as "sunny, shiny, breezy and blissed-out".[29][30] Mars's singing style was compared toJack Johnson.[31] "Billionaire" was composed in the key ofA major at atempo of 80beats per minute.[32]
Lyrically, the chorus of the song is materialistic, money-driven—"I wanna be a billionaire so fucking bad"—with amusing and political verses counterbalancing it.[8][33][34] The songwriting concerns the lifestyle that McCoy and Mars would have with such money, including the fashion, luxury, "shoulder-rubbing", and influence.[31] It details and outlines McCoy's wish list for when he becomes a billionaire. He fantasizes about success, helping afterHurricane Katrina, having a show likeOprah Winfrey, meetingThe Queen and adopting unfortunate children. On the other hand, Mars expresses interest in having his name "in shining lights" and appearing on the cover ofForbes magazine.[35][31][25] Sharyar Rizvi of theDallas Observer compared the lyrics of "Billionaire" to those ofNas' "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" (1996) andBarenaked Ladies' "If I Had $1000000" (1992).[36] McCoy said "Billionaire" is an update onGeorge Barr McCutcheon's novelBrewster's Millions (1903) with him giving out money and "fulfilling" desires.[30]
"Billionaire" received mixed reviews frommusic critics. Nick Levine of Digital Spy rated the song four out of five stars, dubbing it a "summer pop treat so sweet and tasty it's even possible to forgive McCoy's slightly irritating change of billing".[19] James Montgomery of MTV News enjoyed the track, commenting that it "is perfect for the sunshine" and raises spirits to become a "summertime smash".[30]USA Today's Jerry Shriver praised the single, finding it "hilarious".[37] Fraser McAlpine from BBC Chart Blog gave the single four stars. He commented that the track is "optimistic" and cheerful, with a positive message of "hope and generosity". Nevertheless, McAlpine criticized the use of explicit language, calling it "a little ripe for genteel ears".[31]
In a mixed review,Billboard's Melanie Bertoldi awarded it three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying that the song's lyrics "may be inconsistent, but the beat still goes down smoothly".[35] Rodrigo Perez of MTV News praised the song's instrumentation but criticized its lyrics, calling them a "laundry list of wishes".[25]The New York Times's Jon Caramanica said the song has a "moody underbelly", complementing its "stirring hook", also noting that McCoy takes a "quick potshot" at his exKaty Perry in one of the verses.[38]
In a negative review, Mike Diver ofBBC dubbed the reggae stylings of "Billionaire" as "horribly dated".[39] Likewise, Sharyar Rizvi of theDallas Observer heavily criticized the song's lyrics saying they, "sound a bit like other songs that explain what the musician would do if they had a bunch of money or ruled the world". Rizvi added that she would like to see McCoy to do some philanthropic work as he promised in the song.[36] At the 2011ASCAP Pop Music Awards, "Billionaire" was one of the winners of Most Performed Songs.[40] It earned a nomination forChoice Music: Summer Song at the2010 Teen Choice Awards.[41]
In the United States, "Billionaire" debuted at number 92 on theBillboard Hot 100 for the issue dated April 17, 2010.[42] On the week of June 26, 2010, the single reached its peak position of number four on theBillboard Hot 100. It became McCoy's highest-charting single as a solo artist.[43] It peaked at number five on the BillboardRhythmic chart, at number three on theMainstream Top 40 chart[44][45] and at number nine on theBillboardHot Rap Songs chart.[46] "Billionaire" peaked at number 12 on theCanadian Hot 100 on the week of July 31, 2010.[47] TheRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single four times platinum, whileMusic Canada (MC) certified it two times platinum.[48][49] As of September 2012, "Billionaire" has sold 3,272,000 copies in the United States.[50]
"Billionaire" entered theNew Zealand Singles Chart at number 40 and peaked at number two, spending 24 weeks on the chart.[51] It has received a triple platinum certification byRecorded Music New Zealand (RMNZ), for selling over 15,000 copies.[52] In Australia, the single debuted at number 35 on theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) chart and peaked at number five.[53] The recording has been certified two times platinum by ARIA, with 140,000 copies sold.[54] It reached number five on Hungary'sRádiós Top 40 chart.[55] The Claudia Leitte version of the song peaked at number three on BrazilHot 100 Airplay chart, while the original was only able to peak at 93.[56][57]
In the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked at number three on theUK Singles Chart on August 1, 2010.[58] TheBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified "Billionaire" double platinum for sales and streaming figures of 1,200,000 units.[59] In the Republic of Ireland, the single also debuted at its peak position, entering at number two on theIrish Singles Chart.[60] The song reached the top ten in Denmark, peaking at number eight, as well as in Poland and Romania, peaking at number two and eight, respectively.[61][62][63] In the Netherlands, "Billionaire" peaked at number four on theSingle Top 100 and at number one on theDutch Top 40 for the week ending August 28, 2010.[64][65] The song reached the top twenty in Belgium, peaking at number 18, as well as number 11 and 16 in Norway and Germany, respectively.[66][67][68]
The accompanying music video for "Billionaire" was directed by Mark Staubach, and filmed at various Los Angeles, California, locations.[26][69] It was first broadcast on MTV on May 6, 2010.[29] The visual opens with Mars playing a guitar and singing the opening chorus while sitting at a lifeguard station at Venice Beach.[69][30][70] The scene switches to McCoy rapping while driving aMini Cooper with Mars in the passenger seat.[26][70] The video shows McCoy helping four people and a large group at the end.[27][70] He is seen replacing a man's brokenskateboard, buying an aspiring artist's CD, giving the keys of a Mini Cooper to a teenager trying to hitchhike to Geneva, New York, and giving agraffiti artist more spray paint after he runs out.[30][70] The video location then switches to Venice Beach. A group runs out of beer, but McCoy and Mars arrive and hand out more beers to restore life to the party.[29][70] Mars and McCoy, withFall Out Boy'sPete Wentz on the back, ride differentscooters.[27][70]
Robbie Daw of Idolator opined that if the song was a hit perhaps they could "wear bird suits withMiley Cyrus" on her "Can't Be Tamed" clip.[26] MTV News's James Montgomery dubbed the video as a "fantasy ride in which McCoy helps out", calling it a "lighthearted romp".[30] Writing for the same publication, Tamar Aitai criticized the fact that McCoy tries to be likeKevin Spacey by "paying it forward by helping out his fellow bros", referring to Spacey's filmPay It Forward (2000).[29]
"Billionaire" was first performed live by McCoy and Mars, wearing suits, onJay Leno'sThe Tonight Show on June 15, 2010,[71] and later that month on theLate Night with Jimmy Fallon.[72] On July 21, 2010, both performers sang the track onLopez Tonight.[73] McCoy performed the song onBBC Radio 1Live Lounge on July 27, 2010.[74] On August 8, 2010, McCoy and Mars performed "Billionaire" live at the2010 Teen Choice Awards.[75] On October 19, 2010, Mars performed an acoustic version of the song onThe Kidd Kraddick Morning Show.[76]
In 2011, McCoy and Mars performed "Billionaire" on their European co-headlining tour; McCoy sang it during his headlining leg in North America.[77] That same year, it was also sung during theVans Warped Tour, where McCoy's band,Gym Class Heroes, were the headline act.[78] On Mars'sdebut international tour (2010–12) and theHooligans in Wondaland Tour (2011), he performed a rock cover of "Money (That's What I Want)" (1959) byBarrett Strong. This served as an interlude before "Billionaire".[79][80][81] During his second tour,The Moonshine Jungle Tour (2013–14), and on his debutconcert residency,Bruno Mars at The Chelsea, Las Vegas (2013–15), Mars sung a cover of "Money (That's What I Want)" with "Billionaire" andAloe Blacc's "I Need a Dollar" (2010).[82][83][84] "Billionaire" was used as the introduction to Mars's performance on theSuper Bowl XLVIII halftime show in 2014, sung by a children's choir.[85] It was included on several shows of the South America during Mars's third world tour, the24K Magic World Tour (2017–18).[86] The singer also sung it during shows ofBruno Mars Live (2022–2024).[87]
The song was covered on the television showGlee during the second-season premiere episode "Audition" (2010).[88] It debuted and peaked at number 28 and 24 on theBillboard Hot 100 and Canadian Hot 100, respectively.[89][90] Two remixes were released, the first featuredT-Pain andGucci Mane, while the second is titled "Billionaire" (Party Remix), featuring Mars,LMFAO and Mane.[91][92] UK rapperProfessor Green covered the song on BBC Radio 1 in 2010.[93] In 2011,Only Won released a "Geeked out" remix video, titledI Wanna Be An Engineer, which was a parody that reached viral status and caught the attention ofCNN, theDiscovery Channel, andIntel.[94][95] The music video and song appeared in MTV's animated seriesBeavis and Butt-Head (1993) in the 2011 episode "Whorehouse"/"Going Down".[96]
Brazilian singerClaudia Leitte recorded a version of the song titled "Famosa" (English: Famous) featuring McCoy. The stylized title features a dollar sign andS.A., which generally designates corporations. It consists of the same lines originally performed by McCoy while Leitte adds new verses in Portuguese, replacing those of Mars. Its new lyrics refer theJô Soares'talk show, the reality showBig Brother Brasil, the social networkTwitter and the late TV hostessHebe Camargo. The track was released on May 7, 2010, as the lead single from the albumAs Máscaras (2010).[97] "Famosa" features additional production by Robson Nonato, along with the original by the Smeezingtons.[98] Leitte released an accompanying music video for the song shot in São Paulo. It features footage of McCoy from the original "Billionaire" music video interpolated with scenes of Leitte portraying a character who must choose between fame and love. The famous Oscar Freire street, known to contain numerous sophisticated stores frequented by artists and millionaires, is heavily featured.[99]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Billionaire" (featuringBruno Mars) | 3:29 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Billionaire" (featuring Bruno Mars) | 3:29 |
| 2. | "Bad All By Myself" | 3:24 |
| 3. | "Superbad (11:34)" | 3:12 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Billionaire" (featuring Bruno Mars) | 3:29 |
| 2. | "Billionaire (Acoustic)" (featuring Bruno Mars) | 3:32 |
| 3. | "Billionaire (Music Video)" (featuring Bruno Mars) | 3:34 |
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Lazarus.[15]
|
|
Weekly charts[edit] | Weekly charts[edit]
Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[54] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[49] | 2× Platinum | 160,000* |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[130] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[52] | 3× Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[131] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[59] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[48] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | March 9, 2010 | Digital download | Fueled by Ramen | [16] |
| United States | Contemporary hit radio |
| [17] | |
| United Kingdom | July 23, 2010 | Digital download | Fueled By Ramen | [18] |
| July 26, 2010 | Unknown | [19] | ||
| Austria | September 3, 2010 | CD single |
| [20] |
| Germany | ||||
| Switzerland | ||||
| United States | September 21, 2010 | Digital download | Fueled By Ramen | [21] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)Bruno Mars songs | |
|---|---|
| Doo-Wops & Hooligans | |
| Unorthodox Jukebox | |
| 24K Magic | |
| An Evening with Silk Sonic | |
| Featured singles | |
| Other songs | |
