The Race (Tay-K song)

"The Race" is the debut single by American rapper Tay-K. It was originally released on SoundCloud independently on June 16, 2017,[1] but was later re-released for digital download and streaming by 88 Classic and RCA Records on July 29, 2017. The song charted at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and is from his debut mixtape, Santana World.[2][3]

"The Race"
Official remix cover
Single by Tay-K
from the album Santana World
ReleasedJune 16, 2017 (2017-06-16)
RecordedMay 2017
Genre
Length1:44
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)S. Diesel
Tay-K singles chronology
"The Race"
(2017)		 "After You"
(2018)
Music video
"The Race" on YouTube

Background

Tay-K (whose real name is Taymor Travon McIntyre) recorded and released "The Race" while a fugitive from the police after escaping house arrest before his trial on capital murder charges.[4] Tay-K makes references to this during the song, with the chorus being: "Fuck a beat, I was tryna beat a case. But I ain't beat that case, bitch I did the race."[5] The charges (on which McIntyre was later convicted) stemmed from a home invasion where 21 year old Ethan Walker was killed.[6]

The song was later presented during the sentencing phase of Tay-K's trial on the aforementioned murder charges as it appeared that he was boasting about being on the run from authorities.[5] During the chorus of the song, Tay-K says:

Pop a nigga, then I go out my way
Do the dash, then I go out the way
Rob a nigga shoes, rob a nigger lace
We tryna see a hunnid bands in our face

McIntyre released several songs while on the run from the police, including "The Race", which was recorded during McIntyre's stay in New Jersey and the music video was released on YouTube two hours after his capture.[7] "The Race" debuted at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100 after a large hashtag campaign pursuing the release of McIntyre using the hashtag "#FREETAYK".[8] "The Race" peaked at 44 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Remixes

"The Race" has been remixed by numerous artists, including YBN Nahmir, Lil Yachty, Fetty Wap, Tyga, Moneybagg Yo, Montana of 300, Isaiah Rashad, Rico Nasty, and Key Glock among others.[9] The official remix features guest vocals from 21 Savage and Young Nudy.[3]

Music video

McIntyre premiered the official music video for "The Race" on June 30, 2017 on the ALL BUT 6 YouTube channel.[10] The song quickly went viral with Shawn Cotton, the owner of a popular rap news page, Say Cheese TV, confirming that it was shot while Tay-K was on the run and became a smash hit. "It's real. Look at the story. It's so authentic. It's real, and he has the story to back up. Rappers talk shit all day about what they do, but everything he's saying, happened. It's like Tay-K was telling us a story. It's like we're little kids about to go to bed, and Tay-K's telling us a story about himself, and he's visualizing it in the video. And it happened. It's all on the news."[11] Its music video currently has over 200 million views on YouTube. The video was also used as evidence at Tay K's trial for robbery and murder in July 2019. He was sentenced to 55 years in prison.[12]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[17] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[18] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "TAY-K - The Race 🏁 (Prod: S.Diesel)". SoundCloud. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  2. "Tay-K Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  3. "#SantanaWorld (+) by Tay-K on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  4. Nozicka, Luke (July 6, 2017). "Fugitive teen rapper wanted in killing was caught while visiting N.J. friend". NJ.com. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  5. Coker, Hillary; Hill, Tia; Shannon, Delisa; Fu, Eddie (23 July 2019). "Tay-K Sentenced To 55 Years In Prison For Murder Charge Referenced On His Viral Hit "The Race"". Genius. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  6. Boyd, Deanna (28 June 2017). "He's 17, a 'violent fugitive' from DFW. Now he's a murder suspect in San Antonio". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  7. "Viral Rapper Tay-K: A Rundown of the Tumultuous Journey of 'The Race'". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  8. CBSDFW (2017-07-20), Teen Wanted For Murder Getting Social Media Support Behind Bars, retrieved 2017-08-19
  9. "14 Remixes to Tay-K's 'The Race' - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  10. ALL BUT 6 (2017-06-30), TAY-K x THE RACE #FREETAYK, retrieved 2018-01-30
  11. "Who Is Tay-K and Why Is His Song "The Race" Blowing Up?". Complex. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  12. "Rapper Tay-K's video used in murder sentencing - BBC News". Bbc.com. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  13. "Tay-K Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  14. "Tay-K Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  15. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  16. "Streaming Songs - Year-End". Billboard. 2017. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  17. "Canadian single certifications – Tay-K – The Race". Music Canada. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  18. "American single certifications – Tay-K – The Race". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
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