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London (Bia and J. Cole song)

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"London"
Single by Bia and J. Cole
from the EP Really Her
ReleasedApril 8, 2022
GenreHip-hop
Length4:10
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • AzizTheShake
  • Jon Glass
  • Nihan
Bia singles chronology
"Trampoline"
(2022) 		"London"
(2022) 		"Run"
(2022)
J. Cole singles chronology
"Scared Money"
(2022) 		"London"
(2022) 		"90 Proof"
(2023)
Music video
"London" on YouTube

"London" is a song by American rappers Bia and J. Cole, released on April 8, 2022. The song was produced by AzizTheShake, Jon Glass and Tim Nihan.

Background

[edit]

Bia announced the single on April 6, 2022, after teasing it on Instagram a day earlier.[1] On April 7, Bia posted a 15-second trailer for the song on YouTube. On the day the song was released, J. Cole revealed some details behind his collaboration with Bia on Instagram:

"I Asked BIA to come through the studio for some whole other shit. First time meeting her. We chop it up. She plays me this new song she had just did. [...] in that moment I was blown away. I thought about this song for a month straight, it was my favorite song and I only heard it one time. She hit me recently and sent me the song (she musta knew I wanted to hear it again!!!) and I was just grateful to have it in my possession. When the thought and conversation came up about me adding a verse, I was excited but genuinely nervous cuz I didn’t even see how the song could be better after what she did to it. I didn't want to fuck nothing up! I'm grateful I Ended up catching the right wave"[2]

Bia told Rolling Stone, "We really wanted to capture, celebrate and highlight London culture, while staying authentic to who we are. I definitely got in my London accent bag and people actually tell me it's really good."[3]

Composition

[edit]

"London" is a UK drill-influenced song that sees Bia and J. Cole rapping in British accents and slang.[3][4][5] Bia raps about her luxury shopping,[3] while J. Cole later name-drops Heathrow Airport, Ringo Starr, The O2 Arena, and Elizabeth II in his verse and references American rapper T.I.'s new career as a stand-up comedian.[4][6]

Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by Daps and filmed in London. In the clip, Bia shops in luxury stores of the city, parades down a sidewalk flanked by two Dalmatians, and has a tea party.[5][7] After that, she cruises down the River Thames on a speedboat with J. Cole,[7][8] who also gets his height measured while hanging upside down.[9] The video features appearances of landmarks such as Big Ben,[4] as well as cameos from British rapper Unknown T and British model Leomie Anderson.[6]

Charts

[edit]
Weekly chart performance for "London"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 55
Global 200 (Billboard)[11] 130
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] 6
South Africa (TOSAC)[13] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 62
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 20

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Walker, Joe (April 7, 2022). "BIA Announces J. Cole 'London'; Collab Following Dreamville Fest Performance". HipHopDX. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  2. ^ "J. Cole on Instagram" – via Instagram.
  3. ^ a b c Mier, Tomás (April 8, 2022). "Bia, J. Cole Cross the Atlantic for Swanky 'London' Video". Rolling Stone.
  4. ^ a b c Ortiz, Edwin (April 8, 2022). "Watch BIA and J. Cole's New "London" Music Video". Complex.
  5. ^ a b Campbell, Erica (April 12, 2022). "Bia and J. Cole share video for new UK drill inspired track 'London'". NME.
  6. ^ a b Renshaw, David (April 8, 2022). "Bia and J. Cole take a trip down the River Thames in their "London" video". The Fader.
  7. ^ a b Grant, Shawn (April 8, 2022). "BIA is Joined by J. Cole for New Single and Video "London"". The Source.
  8. ^ Okon, Wongo (April 8, 2022). "BIA And J.Cole Do Their Best 'Top Boy' Impressions On The Assertive 'London'". Uproxx.
  9. ^ Minsker, Evan (April 8, 2022). "Bia and J. Cole Share Video for New Song "London": Watch". Pitchfork.
  10. ^ "Bia Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  11. ^ "Bia Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  12. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 18, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  13. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 15-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Bia Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  15. ^ "Bia Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
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