| "Twenty Eight" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single bythe Weeknd | ||||
| from the albumHouse of BalloonsandTrilogy | ||||
| Released | November 13, 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2010–2012 | |||
| Studio | Site Sound Studios, Toronto[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:18 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
| |||
| The Weeknd singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Twenty Eight" onYouTube | ||||
"Twenty Eight" (also stylized as "28") is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriterthe Weeknd, featured as a bonus track on the version of his debut mixtapeHouse of Balloons (2011). It was released as the album's second single on November 13, 2012, byXO andRepublic Records.[3] The song only appears on the reissue of the mixtape that is included withhis 2012 compilation album,Trilogy.[4] The song was recorded at Site Sound Studios andmixed at Liberty Studios in Toronto.[1] ProducersDoc McKinney andIllangelo co-wrote the song and performed all instrumentation.[1]
Many early songs by Tesfaye are about him tricking, manipulating and cheating on his girlfriends, but in "Twenty Eight" the roles are reversed.[5] The song is named "Twenty Eight" due to there being 28grams in anounce, which is something important for drug dealers to know. The song is also the twenty eighth official release by Tesfaye.[6] The song as a whole has been compared toFrank Ocean andMiguel, while Tesfaye's vocals specifically have been compared toMichael Jackson.[5][7]
"Twenty Eight" was first heard by the general public when Tesfaye sent the track toDJZane Lowe, who in turn played the song onBBC Radio 1.[8][9] Tesfaye would make his first appearance on the show for an interview later that month.[9][10] The song charted at number 150 on theUK Singles Chart[11] and at number 49 on the USR&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales,[12] and is also certified Platinum in the US.
The music video for "Twenty Eight" premiered on February 13, 2013, on the Weeknd'sYouTube account. It was filmed inBucharest,Romania, and was directed by photographer/directorNabil Elderkin.[13] The video features Tesfaye on a talk show, with him being unable to focus due to seeing visions of his ex girlfriend. The video is incredibly sexual, featuring many nude women/strippers.[14] Due to the explicit portrayal ofbreasts in the video, it has been age-restricted on YouTube.[15]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Twenty Eight" |
|
| 4:18 |
Credits adapted from liner notes forTrilogy.[1]
| Chart (2012–2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[11] | 150 |
| USR&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[12] | 49 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[17] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format | Label(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | November 13, 2012 | Digital download | [18] |
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)