| "What It Feels Like" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byNipsey Hussle andJay-Z | ||||
| from the albumJudas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album | ||||
| Released | February 16, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–2021 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 4:35 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers | ||||
| Nipsey Hussle singles chronology | ||||
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| Jay-Z singles chronology | ||||
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"What It Feels Like" is a song by American rappersNipsey Hussle andJay-Z, from the soundtrack to the filmJudas and the Black Messiah. It was sent torhythmic contemporary radio on February 16, 2021, four days after the film was released.[1]
The beat of the song was produced in 2013, by Rance and MyGuyMars of1500 or Nothin'. Horns were added to it in 2015. In 2017, strings were added to the instrumental and Nipsey Hussle recorded the hook of the song. The song was further recorded byHit-Boy amidst theGeorge Floyd protests.[2]
"What It Feels Like" was originally a song recorded by Mississippi rapper Tito Lopez. Hussle's lyrics in the song were written as a featured verse. Jay-Z's verse replaced that of Lopez's and was written specifically forJudas and the Black Messiah.[3]
NBA playerLeBron James previewed the song on February 10, 2021, two days before the song was released from the soundtrack to the film.[4]
The song opens with Nipsey Hussle rapping a verse about surviving as a rapper,[5] also mentioning selling his mixtapeCrenshaw.[2] In the next verse, Jay-Z briefly name-drops Canadian rapperDrake and record producer40.[4] He then criticizes the2021 United States Capitol attack and the manner in which white insurrectionists were treated.[5] Jay-Z also notes being born on the same day thatFred Hampton was assassinated, a fact which he previously mentioned in the song "Murder to Excellence".[2]
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] | 93 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[7] | 99 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] | 5 |
| USBillboard Hot 100[9] | 51 |
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 20 |
| USRhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[11] | 23 |
