"Earfquake" (stylized inall caps) is a song by American rapper and producerTyler, the Creator. It is the second song from his sixth studio album,Igor (2019). It features an uncredited guest appearance from fellow American rapperPlayboi Carti and background vocals by American singersCharlie Wilson andJessy Wilson. It was released as the album's lead single torhythmic contemporary radio on June 4, 2019. It is a reference to New Jersey.[2] Its official remix byChannel Tres was released on October 4, 2019.[3] "Earfquake" was Tyler, the Creator's highest-charting song in the US at the time, peaking at number 13 on theBillboard Hot 100. It was also ranked 14th onBillboard's 100 Best Songs of 2019 list.[4]
Tyler initially wrote the song for Canadian singerJustin Bieber, who turned down the song. Tyler then asked Barbadian singerRihanna to provide vocals to the hook believing the song would be big, but she also rejected the song. Tyler instead kept in his own raw vocals.[5][6] "Earfquake" was initiallyleaked online on May 7, 2019.[7]
The song peaked at number 13 on the USBillboard Hot 100 chart and performed well in various other countries and was also certified Platinum by theRIAA, indicating over a million units sold in the United States. "Earfquake" passed 1 billion plays on Spotify in August 2024.
The video opens with a talk show host, named Pearl Edwards, played byTracee Ellis Ross. She introduces Tyler, dressed as his alter ego Igor in a blue suit and aWarholian wig, and shares a rather stilted and awkward conversation with him (she asks for his name, which is censored with a bleep, and when she inquires about what he does, he simply says "yes"). Tyler then takes the stage, dancing and singing. He then plays his piano, but when Playboi Carti's verse starts, the set is already on fire, caused by his cigarette. He suffers various burns and then passes out. Tyler then returns as a firefighter to put out the fire. As he sings into the camera, it shakes and collapses as the video abruptly cuts off.[9][10]
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 22. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 21. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved May 28, 2019.