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"I'm In It"
SongbyKanye West
from the albumYeezus
ReleasedJune 18, 2013
Recorded2013
Studio
Genre
Length3:54
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Kanye West

"I'm In It"is a song by American rapperKanye Westfrom his sixth studio album,Yeezus(2013). The song features additional vocals fromJustin VernonandAssassin.West served the role of lead producer andEvian Christco-produced it with Dom $olo, whileNoah Goldstein,Arca,andMike Deancontributed additional production. The rapper, Evian Christ, and Dean served as co-writers with the vocalists,Malik Yusef,Cyhi the Prynce,Sakiya Sandifer, and Elon Rutberg, whileDre & Vidal,Jill Scott,Carvin Haggins,andKenny Lattimorereceived credits due to a sample of their composition. The song started as a six-minute arrangement with a differentsampleand melody, edited down to run for around three minutes. Assassin recorded different verses unaccompanied to instrumentals at Gee Jam Studios, which West used a verse from with no prior notice.

Ahip hop,dancehall,industrial,andtraptrack, "I'm in It" features prominentreggaeelements and a sample of Lattimore's "Lately". Lyrically, West discusses a sexual fantasy of himself andKim Kardashian.The song received polarized reviews frommusic critics,who were divided in their feelings towards West's sexual lyrics. Some highlighted his fantasy and others criticized the inappropriateness, while a few critics praised the production. The song reached numbers 17 and 43 on the USBillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 SinglesandHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songscharts, respectively. West performed the song duringThe Yeezus Tour(2013–14).

Background and recording

[edit]
Justin Vernon performing at the Jazz Fest 2012
"I'm in It" features a guest appearance fromJustin Vernon,who worked on different tracks forYeezusand started writing for the song after apower outageby a campfire.

Jamaican deejayAssassincommented that West decided to go in the direction of Jamaican culture on the album as he incorporateddancehallelements, benefitting the genre for continuing its combination withhip hop.He felt that West's usage of dancehall and reggae influenced different artists of his styles, making front page headlines across continents for working with him.[1]Assassin was recruited by West's team at Gee Jam Studios in Jamaica'sPortland Parish,finding the initial sessions to resemble his posse cut "Mercy"(2012) and he delivered different verses to instrumentals with no other vocals. West enjoyed listening to Assassin's recordings and he contacted him to use one of the verses without disclosing it was forYeezusat the time; the deejay excitedly learnt he was on the album when at a club.[1]The two did not communicate directly during the recording process and first met each other in December 2014, being introduced byRodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.[2]Around a year later, Assassin recalled that receiving recognition from someone like West proved he was "doing a lot right".[3]

AfterBon IversingerJustin Vernoncollaborated with West on his fifth studio albumMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasyin 2010, he developed a bond with the rapper and worked on ten songs forYeezus,of which three were included. Vernon was playing guitar around a campfire and drinking beer with a band of his at a barn when there was a suddenpower outage,leading to him starting to write for "I'm in It".[4]Record producerMike Deancited Vernon as an artist West would always collaborate with and did not pinpoint him as any musical genre, not knowing if he would sing like theBee Geesor perform indistortionand comparing his focus on emotion toMichael McDonald.Vernon looked back with a lack of awareness of his lyrics on the song and described West as discussing "really violently and stunningly visual sex shit", which came from the "intelligent conversations" about the state of women held in the studio rather than how the rapper talked to his friends.[5]The singer also compared the imagery to the 2000 filmAmerican Psycho,through West resembling a director as not everything he discusses is "actually him saying it every time".[5]Vernon felt that he played a character on the song that would be defined by West's editing and used his section of singing "star fucker" for "calling somebody out", while he had no idea of what Assassin was saying.[5]

West and the artists on his labelGOOD Musicrepeatedly listened to English record producerEvian Christ'sKings and Themduring the recording sessions forCruel Summer,theircompilation albumreleased in 2012. This led to him recruiting Evian Christ forYeezus;he later signed to GOOD Music on his major label debut.[6]The producer was given two days to record material for West and crafted nine tracks in January 2013, one of which was selected for "I'm in It". The track started with "breathy sex sounds" over thesnaresfor its sexual nature, going into overdrive with the emphasis after West contributed rapping.[5]Evian Christ did a double-take on a couple of West's lines at first, although felt that the rapper had to "go all the way" about sexual topics.[5]According to engineerAnthony Kilhoffer,the song originated with a differentsampleand melody that West abandoned for a six-minute arrangement, until producerRick Rubinedited it to flow in the structure of a three-minute composition. Dean recalled how everyone would "push things to be weirder" and he moved in a more musical direction, although West gravitated towards hip hop and he praised the final product that contrasts with "crazy guitar parts and all this stadium stuff".[5]ProducerNoah Goldsteinrecalled that West was fully responsible for thereggaevoices, standing as the curator of the production.[5]The rapper produced "I'm in It", while Evian Christ and Dom $olo served as co-producers and additional production was contributed by Goldstein,Arca,and Dean. West, Evian Christ, and Dean co-wrote it with Vernon, Assassin,Malik Yusef,Cyhi the Prynce,Sakiya Sandifer, and Elon Rutberg, while the duoDre & Vidal,Jill Scott,Carvin Haggins,and singerKenny Lattimorereceived songwriting credits due to the sample of "Lately".[7]

Composition and lyrics

[edit]
Assassin sitting on stage as he performs in 2014
During West's verses, he is accompanied byAssassinon certain lines. The deejay also contributes a verse, after having recorded different ones at Gee Jam Studios.

Musically, "I'm in It" is a hip hop,[5]dancehall,[1][8][9]industrial,andtraptrack, with elements of reggae,[10][11]techno,[12]andpunk rock.[13]It features a sample of Lattimore's "Lately".[7]The song contains screechingsynthesizers,percussion, and fast-paced snare drums.[14][15]It features dog bark sounds, which are incorporated low into the mix.[16]The song also includes "Oh" vocals, as crafted by Tammy Infusino andKen Lewis.[7]It features apulsewhen the beat drops following the chorus, with atempoof around 70 beats per minute.[17]West raps in amelancholyvoice that ischopped and screwed,being distorted to an aggressive tone.[8][13][17]A verse is contributed from Assassin,[1]who also delivers lines next to West's verses andcrooningis contributed from Vernon;[15][18]he sings thechoruswith West.[17]

In the lyrics of "I'm in It", West details a sexual fantasy of a night with his then-wifeKim Kardashian.[14][19]The highly explicit content was noted by numerous publications,[20]withPitchforkandThe Daily Telegraphseeing it asXXX-rated.[9][21]West proclaims "Thank God almighty, free at last" in reference to Kardashian unveiling her breasts, alluding toMartin Luther King Jr.'s1963 speech.[14][19][22][23]He demandssweet and soursauce as he raps about oral sex with an Asian women and also quirks about making a girl scream "AAAAAAH-a-a-a-a-a!",[14][24]then repeatedly asserts "That's right, I'm in it"[17]as he is accompanied by Assassin every few lines.[8]The deejay also mentions his "bad man ting", while Vernon calls out a "star fucker" during the bridge.[4][5][17]In the final verse, West declares that he cannot abandon nightlife in spite of being married with children and admits to sleeping with hisnightlighton,[9][18][21]concluding that he speaks "Swag-hili".[10][20]

Release and reception

[edit]

"I'm In It" was included as the sixth track on West's sixth studio album,Yeezus,released on June 18, 2013, through his labelsDef JamandRoc-A-Fella.[13]The song was met with polarized reviews frommusic critics,with split asessments of the sexual content. Ryan Reed fromPasteidentified West and Vernon as the album's best collaboration, labeling the song a "disturbing sex rap" backed by snares as West references Kardashian's breasts and goes "for condoms like a ninja".[15]Writing forAllMusic,David Jeffries was taken aback by the song's "punkish, irresponsible blast-femy" as West articulates his dreams at his loudest during the sexual lyrics.[13]The staff ofBillboardnoted that West "mangles his voice and flips to beast mode" for the content, beginning at a slow pace and transitioning into "a dancehall romp".[8]Ryan Dombal ofPitchforknoted the song's heavy explicitness and that it sounds like "a dancehall orgasm mired in quicksand", making West's similar songs such as "Slow Jamz"(2003) seem likeDisneytheme songs, while he considered the sweet and sour line to come across as oafishness.[9]HipHopDXreviewer Justin Hunte thought that the song's club-appropriate sexual lyrics, reggae influences, and "Swag-hili" line make it "quickly embed itself Indian-style into the eardrum".[10]Jon Dolan ofRolling Stonewrote that the song resembles the soundtrack of "asnuff filmforCylons"and said that in the lyrics, West" sounds at once righteous and evil ".[25]AtPopMatters,David Amidon was interested in certain lyrics from West and found imagining him asleep with his nightlight on to be fun, while he stated Assassin goes "in and out of the beat like apirate shipon the high seas ".[18]However, Amidon believed that listeners will take time to appreciate the song and West should have articulated a response toRay J's "I Hit It First"without its incoherent last verse.[18]

Providing a less enthusiastic review forThe New York Times,Jon Parelesstated that West enacts the black stereotype of "the insatiable superstud, callous and lewd", who uses women for sexual means.[26]He noted that West adds "a little blasphemy" for a reaction, despite not seeing any achievement in being smarter than "hip-hop's many other raunchmongers".[26]In theLos Angeles Times,Randall Roberts was both surprised and impressed with West's reference to King's speech, although expressed that the song "could be called bawdy were it not so lyrically dark".[19]In a mixed review, Jesal "Jay Soul" Padania fromRapReviewsfelt that the "quick-quick-slow dancefloor fuck song" is highly explicit to varying levels of success, criticizing how West'smisogynyresembles fellow rapperLil Wayne'sI Am Not a Human Being II(2013).[20]Forrest Cardamenis ofNo Ripcordwrote off West's mixed messaging with his "racially-charged lyrics" as he sexually references King's speech and acivil rightssign, making a historical error as theBlack Panther Party's sign was instead a closed fist.[27]Referencing the latter line forNME,Gavin Haynes questioned if there would be "a more sacrilegious moment in 2013" and he also found a lack of meaning in the title of "I'm in It".[28]On a similar note,The Fly's Alex Denney called West misogynistic and hard to listen to as he seemingly places "the rap lexicon on the psychologist's sofa".[11]For theChicago Tribune,Greg Kotwas irritated with West for his sweet and sour sauce line that takes part in "the kind of transgressive 'humor'" of artists of a lesser caliber.[29]Gary Suarez ofThe Quietusthought that West went too far with the line, which he called the "most tasteless joke" onYeezus.[24]

Upon the release of the album, "I'm in It" debuted at number 17 on the USBillboardBubbling Under Hot 100.[30]It also entered the USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart at number 43.[31]

Live performances and appearances in media

[edit]

West incorporated five spelled-out segments intoThe Yeezus Tour(2013–14), performing "I'm in It" during the third segment "Falling".[32][33]He wore atunicmade from spare green military material with a large number of pockets for the performance, while men in body suits walked around him.[32][34]

Within the same week of the album's release, a remix of the song was released by DMNDZ. A trap remix, it adds prominent808sandhi-hats.Faceasaurus Rex also shared their "Swaghili Remix", based in the same genre with heavy bass.[35]Tinashepremiered her track "Vulnerable" in November 2013, featuring a verse from rapperTravis Scottthatinterpolates"I'm in It".[36]In spite of his admiration for West, Canadian musicianDrakecriticized his "Swaghili" line and said that even fellow rapperFabolous"wouldn't say some shit like that" in a February 2014 interview.[37]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[7]

Recording

Personnel

  • Kanye West – songwriter, production
  • Evian Christ– songwriter, co-production
  • Mike Dean– songwriter, additional production, recording engineer
  • Justin Vernon– songwriter, additional vocals
  • Assassin– songwriter, additional vocals
  • Malik Jones– songwriter
  • Cydel Young– songwriter
  • Sakiya Sandifer – songwriter
  • Elon Rutberg – songwriter
  • Andre Harris– songwriter
  • Jill Scott– songwriter
  • Vidal Davis– songwriter
  • Carvin Haggins– songwriter
  • Kenny Lattimore– songwriter
  • Dom $olo – co-production
  • Noah Goldstein– additional production, recording engineer, mix engineer
  • Arca– additional production
  • Tammy Infusino – vocal effects
  • Ken Lewis– vocal effects
  • Brent Kolatalo– vocal effects engineer
  • Anthony Kilhoffer– recording engineer
  • Marc Portheau – assistant recording engineer
  • Khoï Huynh – assistant recording engineer
  • Raoul Le Pennec – assistant recording engineer
  • Nabil Essemlani – assistant recording engineer
  • Keith Parry – assistant recording engineer
  • Mat Arnold – assistant recording engineer
  • Dale – assistant recording engineer
  • Sean Oakley – assistant recording engineer, assistant mix engineer
  • Eric Lynn – assistant recording engineer, assistant mix engineer
  • Dave "Squirrel" Covell – assistant recording engineer, assistant mix engineer
  • Josh Smith – assistant recording engineer, assistant mix engineer

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2013) Peak
position
Chart performance for "I'm in It"
USBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles(Billboard)[30] 17
USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs(Billboard)[38] 43
USOn-Demand Songs(Billboard)[39] 27

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdKenner, Rob (June 18, 2013)."Interview: Assassin Speaks on His 'Yeezus' Feature Project, Volcano Choir".Complex.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2024.RetrievedAugust 5,2024.
  2. ^Serwer, Jesse (March 10, 2015)."Why Kanye West And Kendrick Lamar Keep Putting Assassin On Their Songs".The Fader.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2024.RetrievedAugust 5,2024.
  3. ^Taylor, Angus (November 10, 2015)."Interview: Assassin".Fact.RetrievedAugust 5,2024.
  4. ^abDobbins, Amanda (August 28, 2013)."Bon Iver's Justin Vernon on Inappropriate Wedding Songs, Kanye West, and His Side Project, Volcano Choir".Vulture.RetrievedAugust 5,2024.
  5. ^abcdefghiDombal, Ryan (June 24, 2013)."TheYeezusSessions ".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on June 26, 2013.RetrievedJune 26,2013.
  6. ^Young, Alex (December 16, 2013)."Evian Christ signs to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music".Consequence.RetrievedAugust 12,2024.
  7. ^abcdYeezus(PDF)(Media notes). Kanye West.Roc-A-Fella Records/Def Jam Recordings.2013.Archived(PDF)from the original on October 3, 2013.RetrievedJune 22,2013.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^abcd"Kanye West, 'Yeezus': Track-by-Track review".Billboard.June 14, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2018.RetrievedJune 23,2018.
  9. ^abcdRyan, Dombal (June 18, 2013)."Kanye West:YeezusAlbum Review ".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on September 20, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 20,2018.
  10. ^abcHunte, Justin (June 17, 2013)."Kanye West –Yeezus".HipHopDX.Archivedfrom the original on May 11, 2019.RetrievedAugust 6,2024.
  11. ^abDenney, Alex (June 18, 2013)."Kanye West – 'Yeezus'".The Fly.Archived fromthe originalon June 22, 2013.RetrievedAugust 6,2024.
  12. ^Aaron, Charles (June 15, 2013)."Kanye West's 'Yeezus': Our Impulsive Reviews".Spin.New York.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2013.RetrievedAugust 6,2024.
  13. ^abcdJeffries, David."Yeezus– Kanye West ".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on June 21, 2013.RetrievedJune 19,2013.
  14. ^abcdGordon, Jeremy (September 10, 2018)."Kanye West is too horny for his own good".The Outline.Archivedfrom the original on December 16, 2018.RetrievedDecember 16,2018.
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  26. ^abPareles, Jon(June 16, 2013)."A Fighter Returns With Angrier Air Punches".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2024.
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  29. ^Kot, Greg(June 17, 2013)."Kanye West's 'Yeezus' an uneasy listen".Chicago Tribune.Archivedfrom the original on June 22, 2013.RetrievedAugust 8,2024.
  30. ^ab"Kanye West Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  31. ^"Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart – July 6, 2013".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on December 10, 2018.RetrievedDecember 8,2018.
  32. ^abPolk, Leilani (December 5, 2013)."A look back at Kanye West's 'Yeezus Tour' avant-hop extravaganza at Tampa Bay Times Forum".WTTA.Archivedfrom the original on February 11, 2023.RetrievedAugust 12,2024.
  33. ^Kamer, Foster (November 20, 2013)."Live Review: Kanye West as Yeezus Christ Superstar in Brooklyn".Complex.Archivedfrom the original on February 27, 2024.RetrievedAugust 12,2024.
  34. ^"Yeezus in Concert: Watch Every Song From Kanye West's New Album Performed Live".Complex.October 29, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on September 6, 2023.RetrievedAugust 12,2024.
  35. ^Khal (June 16, 2013)."The 'Yeezus' Remixes Are Here".Complex.Archivedfrom the original on April 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 3,2018.
  36. ^Nostro, Lauren (November 20, 2013)."Premiere: Tinashe f/ Travi$ Scott 'Vulnerable'".Vice.Archivedfrom the original on March 9, 2024.RetrievedAugust 12,2024.
  37. ^Weiner, Jonah (February 13, 2014)."Drake: High Times at the YOLO Estate".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on August 6, 2024.RetrievedAugust 6,2024.
  38. ^"Kanye West Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  39. ^"Kanye West Chart History (On-Demand Songs)".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon February 14, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 13,2019.
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