"What They Want"
Song by Schoolboy Q featuring 2 Chainz
from the album Oxymoron
ReleasedFebruary 25, 2014
Recorded2013
GenreHip hop
Length4:27
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Quincy Hanley
  • Tauheed Epps
  • Micheal Williams
  • Marquel Middlebrooks
Producer(s)

"What They Want" (stylized as "WHat THey Want") is a song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q, taken from his third studio album Oxymoron (2014). The song, produced by Mike Will Made It, features a guest appearance by rapper 2 Chainz. "What They Want" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. The song has since peaked on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles at number four.

Composition

"What They Want" production features "plodding rhythm section and eerie, reverb-drenched string/bell loops" created by Mike Will Made It and Marz. Schoolboy Q raps about his prospective purchases and recent sexual conquests in his verses. Additionally the song features a guest appearance by 2 Chainz.[1] Overall the song has an icy melody projecting a feeling of paranoia with Q rapping about his proficiency in drug dealing.[2]

Critical reception

"What They Want" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Luke Fox of Exclaim! called the song hypnotic and stated that Q outshines 2 Chainz on the song.[3] Michael Madden of Consequence of Sound stated it had one of the album's standout productions.[4] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard said, "Q is too serious-minded to stuff his debut with one-liners about booties, though, and instead pulls 2 Chainz into his murky world on "What They Want," a chilling stunner in which the headliner channels his aggression into peddling another bleak anthem to his supporters."[5] Greg Whitt of Uproxx's Smoking Section said, "2 Chainz is so ubiquitous that just seeing his name on a tracklist screams cliche. Thankfully, his verse over Mike WiLL Made It’s subdued production on "What They Want" is about as 2 Chainz a verse that exists. Filled with delightfully odd non sequiturs and dopeboy freshness, the ATL Codeine Cowboy pairs with Q like lean and Sprite."[6] Omar Burgess of HipHopDX stated, "listeners in search of lighter fare will likely gravitate toward "What They Want"."[7] Maya Kalev of Fact said it is "a track that’s lyrically unambitious, but full of menace thanks to Q’s snarling flow."[8] Nathan S of DJBooth stated, "Chainz is at his best when he’s at his most outrageous and borderline absurd, the exact opposite of Q, and the fact that the song still works is testament to ScHoolboy’s versatility, but it’s also one of the album’s least compelling tracks."[9]

Live performances

Schoolboy Q and 2 Chainz performed "What They Want" at SXSW on March 11, 2014.[10][11] Then on April 3, 2014, Schoolboy Q performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[12]

Music video

The music video for "What They Want" was filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana, directed by Motion Family.[13][14] On March 6, 2014, the video was released.[15][16] In the video Q and 2 Chainz visit an above-ground cemetery, stalk a church with dudes wearing skeleton masks, and go to New Orleans strip club She She's, which is full of twerking dancers.[17][18][19] The video is completed with shots of "creepy, abandoned buildings, red-lit strip clubs, empty parking lots, gray graveyards and backlit churches."[20]

Chart performance

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[21] 4

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ "SchoolBoy Q ft. 2 Chainz - What They Want | Stream". DJBooth.net. 2014-03-24. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  2. ↑ "Schoolboy Q: Oxymoron - Music Review". No Ripcord. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  3. ↑ Fox, Luke. "Schoolboy Q - Oxymoron • Hip-Hop Reviews •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  4. ↑ Madden, Michael (2014-02-26). "Album Review: ScHoolboy Q – Oxymoron". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  5. ↑ "ScHoolboy Q, 'Oxymoron': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  6. ↑ Whitt, Greg (2014-03-11). ""What They Want": Album Review of ScHoolboy Q's "Oxymoron"". Smokingsection.uproxx.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  7. ↑ Burgess, Omar (2014-02-25). "ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  8. ↑ "Oxymoron – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  9. ↑ "ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron - Stream". www.djbooth.net. Archived from the original on 2014-01-25.
  10. ↑ "2 Chainz Brings Out ScHoolboy Q To Perform "What They Want" At SxSw". TheSource. 2014-03-12. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Robin (13 March 2014). "Video: 2 Chainz and ScHoolboy Q Perform "What They Want" at Def Jam 30 : RESPECT". Respect-mag.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  12. ↑ "ScHoolboy Performs on Jimmy Kimmel Live! - XXL".
  13. ↑ "Schoolboy Q – "What They Want" (Feat. 2 Chainz) Video". Stereogum. 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  14. ↑ "Video: ScHoolboy Q f. 2 Chainz, "What They Want"". The Fader. 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  15. ↑ "New Video: ScHoolBoy Q Feat. 2 Chainz 'What They Want'". Vibe. 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  16. ↑ "Watch Schoolboy Q's Video For "What They Want" Featuring 2 Chainz | News". Pitchfork. 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  17. ↑ "ScHoolboy Q and 2 Chainz Go to NOLA for 'What They Want' Video NSFW | SPIN | Videos". SPIN. 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  18. ↑ Thiessen, Brock. "Schoolboy Q - "What They Want" (ft. 2 Chainz) (video) • Music / Video •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  19. ↑ "Video: ScHoolboy Q f/ 2 Chainz – 'What They Want'". Rap-Up.com. 2014-03-24. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  20. ↑ Kate Gamble. "Schoolboy Q - "What They Want" (Feat. 2 Chainz) Video | News". CMJ. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  21. ↑ "Schoolboy Q – Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  22. ↑ "American single certifications – Schoolboy Q – What They Want". Recording Industry Association of America.
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