"Clout" is a song by American rapperOffset featuring his then-wife, fellow American rapperCardi B, released as the second single from his debut solo albumFather of 4 on March 15, 2019.[1][2] Although the song initially charted following the album's release, it reached the top 40 of the USBillboard Hot 100 after the release of its music video in April 2019. It received a nomination forBest Rap Performance at the62nd Grammy Awards,[3] marking Offset's first nomination as a soloist outside ofMigos.[4]
The song is a criticism of those who use others for fame, includingsocial climbers or "clout chasers", with the lyrics calling out those who have "theInstagram disease".[1] "Clout" marks Offset and Cardi B's fifth collaboration, following "Um Yea", "Lick (Remix)", "MotorSport" and "Drip".[5]
Writing forAllMusic, Fred Thomas opined that the song "is made by Cardi B's high-energy, high-confrontation cameo."[6] Charles Holmes ofRolling Stone found Cardi's performance "brutal, swift and nimble" and considered it among the best on the album; he noted the song features her "dismantling a variety of unnamed detractors: rappers, blogs, trolls."[7] InNME, Sam Moore opined that Cardi B demonstrates "her show-stopping prowess" in her verse.[8]HotNewHipHop stated that "hip-hop's power couple" delivers "the hardest-hitting banger on the project, blasting the opps while they're at it."[9] InExclaim!, Kyle Mullin described it as a "swaggering, ominous keys peppered" song, where Cardi B sounds "like the biggest rapper in the world as she nimbly mocks gossipy, nosy haters trolling her in vain."[10] Similarly,Highsnobiety's Thomas Hobbs said that her verse delivers "a necessary dose of energy."[11]
InConsequence of Sound, Wren Graves found "explosive potential" in the song, and noticed that in an album lyrically centered on his personal life, Offset "has retreated to platitudes" and "turn their attention to bloggers" instead of giving details about their relationship, further commenting, "perhaps the marriage wasn't in a place where the couple felt comfortable discussing it."[12] Brian Josephs ofEntertainment Weekly deemed the song "a gem", "anchored by a Cardi B verse" to "express her indignation," and noted the hook "features a relatable amount of deadpanned disgust;" however, Josephs felt "unfortunate" that "a song about clout chasers is a highlight from an album introducing a family man."[13] Trent Clarck ofHipHopDX felt the performers "can absolutely do better."[14]
Offset cited Busta Rhymes' work as an inspiration for the visuals.
The Daniel Russell-directed music video was announced by Cardi B on April 16 and released on April 17, 2019.[15] Offset and Joseph Desrosiers Jr. served as creative directors.[16] It features Offset and Cardi B delivering their verses in a yellow and black hall of mirrors.[17] Offset plays piano while wearing a couturehockey mask, and then uses a bright-yellow chainsaw to cut a black cake.[18] Cardi B is shown in an all-yellow outfit in a pile of lemons, and also wearingall-black leather bondage outfit giving a lap dance to Offset in another scene.[1] It was inspired byBusta Rhymes' video for "What's It Gonna Be?!" featuringJanet Jackson (1999).[19] InStereogum, Tom Breihan praised it saying "the whole thing rules" and called it "a really great music video."[18]Vulture called the video "mostly just an excuse for Offset to show off his piano fingers and Cardi to get her freak on in some increasingly elaborate outfits".[20]
Published by YRN Piped Up Ent/JPL QC Music/Reservoir Media Music (ASCAP), Washpoppin/Sony/ATV Allegro (ASCAP), Want Some More/ Songs Of Universal, Inc (BMI), Royal Legend Publishing/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI), Sony/ATV Music Publishing (BMI), and Songs Of Universal, Inc (BMI)
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