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Letter to Nipsey

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"Letter to Nipsey"
SinglebyMeek MillfeaturingRoddy Ricch
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2020
Length2:48
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Papamitrou
Meek Millsingles chronology
"Thot Box"
(2019) 		"Letter to Nipsey"
(2020) 		"Believe"
(2020)
Roddy Ricchsingles chronology
"Tip Toe"
(2019) 		"Letter to Nipsey"
(2020) 		"The Box"
(2020)

"Letter to Nipsey"is a song by American rapperMeek Mill,featuring fellow rapperRoddy Ricch.The song was produced byPapamitrou,who co-wrote it with Mill and Roddy Ricch. On January 27, 2020, the song was released fordigital downloadandstreamingas a single, throughAtlantic RecordsandMaybach Music Group.It is a tribute to RapperNipsey Hussle,Who was Shot And killed On March 31 2019. All the proceeds from the song went to his family. Lyrically, Mill and Roddy Ricch reflect on their feelings after his death.

"Letter to Nipsey" received positive reviews frommusic critics,who mostly highlighted its emotional impact. Some appreciated the chemistry of Mill and Roddy Ricch, while certain reviewers praised their storytelling. In the United States, the song charted at number 73 on theBillboardHot 100,alongside reaching number 34 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart. Mill and Roddy Ricch debuted it with a performance at the62nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Background and composition

[edit]
A memorial for Nipsey Hussle shown in a South Los Angeles store
A memorial area forNipsey Hussleat a South Los Angeles store, after his death. In the song, Mill and Roddy Ricch pay tribute to him.

Prior to American rapperNipsey Husslebeing shot and killed in Los Angeles, one of his last collaborations was the 2019 single "Racks in the Middle",featuring Roddy Ricch and record producerHit-Boy.[1][2]In December 2019, nine months after his death, Roddy Ricch said he has a portrait of the rapper in his house and the song'splatinumplaque had been placed beside it. He said that "my brother is not here to share that with me" despite them collaborating on it and admitted, "Nigga, that hurt me... But at the same time, that's life."[2]Shortly before Nipsey Hussle's death, he and Mill had begun work on a collaborative album.[3]

Mill and Roddy Ricch were both friends with Nipsey Hussle.[4]"Letter to Nipsey" marked the rappers' first collaboration; Mill was a contemporary of Nipsey Hussle, while Roddy Ricch was his protege.[5][6]The song was produced byPapamitrou,the first producer signed toDream Chasers.[7][8]He wrote it alongside Mill and Roddy Ricch.[7]The song was debuted by them at the2020 Grammy Awards.At the same ceremony, "Racks in the Middle" was awardedBest Rap Performance.[2]

In the lyrics of the song, Mill and Roddy Ricch pay tribute to Nipsey Hussle, reflecting on how they felt after his death.[9][10]Mill raps about the pain of the loss in his verse, admitting that he cried tears despite not having been close friends with the rapper.[5][9][10]He begins by referencing Nipsey Hussle's funeral at theStaples Centerand former US presidentBarack Obama's letter for him.[2][4][11]Roddy Ricch sings about Nipsey Hussle's personal impact on him as a fellow Angeleno on thehook,[5][6]questioning his faith and admitting he cried,[4][10]as his voice's tone changes.[2]He sings and raps his verse, recalling the numbness he felt upon hearing the news, as well as offering individual condolences for those who were close to Nipsey Hussle and concluding by calling him his big brother.[5][6][10]

Release and promotion

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On January 27, 2020, "Letter to Nipsey" was released fordigital downloadandstreamingas a single in various countries, through Mill's labelsAtlanticandMaybach.[1]It was announced by Mill and Atlantic that all the proceeds from the song would go to Nipsey Hussle's family.[2][1]The 2020 Grammy Awards tribute to Nipsey Hussle opened with him and Roddy Ricch performing the song, during which Mill wore a blue suit.DJ Khaled,John Legend,YG,andKirk Franklinalso appeared for the tribute. After the performance, DJ Khaled transitioned into his 2019 single "Higher"with Legend and Franklin, which also features Nipsey Hussle.[12][13]

Reception

[edit]

"Letter to Nipsey" was met with positive reviews frommusic critics,with general praise for its emotional impact. In a glowing review forMTV,Trey Alston described the "touching" and "stirring song" as "an intense, emotional diary entry of emotions", detailing how Mill explains the "tremendous impact" of Nipsey Hussle's death and Roddy Ricch delivers a "powerful chorus".[10]Sheldon Pearce fromPitchforkfelt that the song is equally powerful to the Grammys performance and singled out Mill's unique ability to "rap about the pain of loss", providing a verse "striking in its plainness and clarity of thought"; he also praised Roddy Ricch's feature.[5]Charles Holmes ofRolling Stonesummarized the song as "a balancing act", with the two rappers attempting "to deliver an uplifting message amid tragedy and the sobering reality" of Nipsey Hussle dying at a young age.[2]He noted that Mill utilizes his "patented yelp" and Roddy Ricch's "melodic sensibilities anchors [sic] the hook ", with his voice" dip[ping] and soar[ing] ".[2]Stereogum's Tom Breihan declared that the song aims "for heartfelt intensity rather than pop sweep", making "a worthy entry" into the tradition of rap songs dedicated to dead artists.[6]He saw that Mill "vents passionately" about the loss, while Roddy Ricch, not "really a passionate presence, simply sing-raps" about his numbness upon receiving the news.[6]Paul "Big Homie" Duong ofRap Radarwrote that "the heart-felt track" features the rappers reflecting on Nipsey Hussle's death and "his legacy he left behind".[14]ForExclaim!,Sarah Murphy commented that it is covered with "poignant one-liners".[15]

On the chart issue dated February 8, 2020, "Letter to Nipsey" entered the USBillboardHot 100at number 80.[11]The following week, it rose seven places to number 73.[16]On the USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, the song peaked at number 34.[17]It further charted at number 39 on theNew Zealand Hot Singles Chart.[18]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted fromTidal.[7]

  • Meek Mill– lead vocals, songwriting
  • Roddy Ricch– featured vocals, songwriting
  • Papamitrou– songwriting, production
  • Anthony Cruz – recording
  • Chris Dennis – recording
  • Derek "MixedByAli" Ali– mixing
  • Zachary Acosta – assistant mixing
  • Nicholas De Porcel – mastering

Charts

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Chart performance for "Letter to Nipsey"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[18] 39
USBillboardHot 100[16] 73
USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs(Billboard)[17] 34
USRolling StoneTop 100[19] 49

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Letter to Nipsey"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various January 27, 2020
[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdBrandle, Lars (January 27, 2020)."Stream Meek Mill's Tribute to Nipsey Hussle: 'Letter to Nipsey'".Billboard.RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.
  2. ^abcdefghHolmes, Charles (January 27, 2020)."Meek Mill and Roddy Ricch Release Tribute Song 'Letter to Nipsey'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.
  3. ^Threadcraft, Torry (January 2020)."Check Out Meek Mill & Roddy Ricch's Official 'Letter to Nipsey' Audio".Okayplayer.RetrievedDecember 24,2022.
  4. ^abcSchatz, Lake (January 27, 2020)."Stream Meek Mill - 'Letter to Nipsey'".Consequence.RetrievedDecember 24,2022.
  5. ^abcdePearce, Sheldon (January 30, 2020)."The Ones: Meek Mill's 'Letter to Nipsey' [ft. Roddy Ricch]".Pitchfork.RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.
  6. ^abcdeBreihan, Tom (January 27, 2020)."Meek Mill – 'Letter To Nipsey' (Feat. Roddy Ricch)".Stereogum.RetrievedDecember 24,2022.
  7. ^abc"Letter To Nipsey (feat. Roddy Ricch) / Meek Mill".Tidal.RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.
  8. ^Ivey, Justin (January 28, 2020)."Meek Mill Teams With Roddy Ricch For 'Letter To Nipsey' Tribute Song".HipHopDX.RetrievedDecember 24,2022.
  9. ^abDevin (January 26, 2020)."Meek Mill And Roddy Ricch Honor Nipsey Hussle On 'Letter To Nipsey'".Rap-Up.RetrievedDecember 27,2022.
  10. ^abcdeAlston, Trey (January 27, 2020)."Meek Mill And Roddy Ricch's 'Letter To Nipsey' Is A Sweet Celebration Of A Fallen Friend".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon December 26, 2022.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  11. ^abMamo, Heran (February 5, 2020)."Meek Mill's 'Letter to Nipsey' Lyrics, Feat. Roddy Ricch".Billboard.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  12. ^Pearce, Sheldon (January 27, 2020)."Grammys 2020 Nipsey Hussle Tribute: YG, Meek Mill, John Legend, DJ Khaled, Roddy Ricch Perform 'Higher,' More".Pitchfork.RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.
  13. ^Devin (January 26, 2020)."The Grammys Honor Nipsey Hussle with All-Star Tribute".Rap-Up.RetrievedDecember 29,2022.
  14. ^Duong, Paul "Big Homie" (January 27, 2020)."New Music: Meek Mill Ft. Roddy Ricch 'Letter To Nipsey'".Rap Radar.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  15. ^Murphy, Sam (January 27, 2020)."Meek Mill and Roddy Ricch Honour Nipsey Hussle with New Song 'Letter to Nipsey'".Exclaim!.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  16. ^ab"Meek Mill Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  17. ^ab"Meek Mill Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  18. ^ab"NZ Hot Singles Chart".Recorded Music NZ.February 10, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 8,2020.
  19. ^"Top 100 Songs".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon 2020-02-16.RetrievedFebruary 15,2020.
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