We Paid

"We Paid" is a song by American rappers Lil Baby and 42 Dugg. It was released as part of the deluxe edition of Lil Baby's second studio album My Turn, on May 1, 2020. A video was released a week later, on May 6. "We Paid" is a braggadocious song about the rappers' wealth and come-ups. Regarded as a standout cut from My Turn, the song received rave reviews from critics, with particular praise for 42 Dugg. On the chart dated July 11, 2020, the song became 42 Dugg's first top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 10.

"We Paid"
Song by Lil Baby and 42 Dugg
from the album My Turn (Deluxe)
ReleasedMay 1, 2020 (2020-05-01)
GenreTrap
Length3:01
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Section 8
Music video
"We Paid" on YouTube

Background

According to 42 Dugg, the song came about after connecting with Lil Baby during the 2020 Super Bowl in Miami Gardens.[1] On April 9, 2020, he uploaded a clip on Instagram previewing the song's music video.[2] It was released on May 1, 2020, as part of the deluxe version of My Turn, included as the final track on the album.[3] Lil Baby's line, "runnin' 'round in these streets, it was me and Marquise", refers to Dugg's middle name.

Composition and lyrics

The song opens with 42 Dugg's signature whistle.[4] The track consists of a "lowkey" trap beat and kick drums,[5] and sees Lil Baby and 42 Dugg blend their rap styles,[6] with 42 Dugg employing slurred auto-tuned bars.[7] Dugg raps the first verse, and, as noted by Complex's Jessica McKinney, utilises a rhythmic flow, while Lil Baby "speeds things up a bit with a dizzying delivery".[8] 42 Dugg's opening line includes the lyrics "'Fore I go broke like Joc", a reference to rapper Yung Joc, which HotNewHipHop's Alex Zidel attributed to Yung Joc seen driving an Uber at the beginning of the year. Joc responded, saying he actually likes the song and is "far from" broke.[9] Uproxx's Derrick Rossignol pointed out, "as the title suggests, the song is about the rappers having wealth, as they rap about things like cars and jewelry while honoring their upbringings, as the chorus – which they rap together –[8] goes, 'Young turnt nigga from the D to the A / I'm rockin' with the Lions, yeah, I'm rocking with the Braves / Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, we paid'".[10]

Critical reception

Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork called it "one of the best rap songs of the year".[4] ABC News Radio called the song a "banger".[3] Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop also called it a banger and said the track "is yet another gold star on 42 Dugg's ever-growing resume".[5] In review of My Turn's deluxe edition, Josh Svetz of HipHopDX praised 42 Dugg's appearance as "dynamic", while further complimenting Baby and Dugg's "superb chemistry", as they take "turns dunking on their opps like [Michael] Jordan and [Scottie] Pippen.[11] Hypebeast's Patrick Johnson also applauded their chemistry for being on "top form", labeling the track a "standout" on My Turn, and stated: "The true standout here is Dugg's slurred auto-tuned bars".[7] Complex's Jessica McKinney included it in their weekly round-up of Best New Music, also calling the track a standout on the album and said the duo make great teammates as they "take turns laying down sharp bars about their come-ups", with Lil Baby's delivery that "will leave listeners in awe".[8] XXL also listed it among the best new songs of the week.[12] Andrew Unterberger of Billboard named the song a contender for Song of the Summer, writing: "'We Paid' is a short, infectious banger motored by the pair's irrepressible lockstep energy and one of the year's most undeniable chorus hooks".[13]

Commercial performance

The song peaked at number 1 on US Apple Music across all genres, dethroning Lil Baby's own "The Bigger Picture".[14] It reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the Rolling Stone Top 100. The video has also garnered over 180 million views as of November 20, 2020.[15]

Music video

The song's official video, directed by KeeMotion,[16] was released on May 6, 2020.[6]

Concept

Set in Atlanta, the video stays relevant to its title, finding the rappers flaunting their riches and merging Atlanta and Detroit's (the rappers' respective hometowns) car culture. They are seen driving in their own black Hellcats, performing various manoeuvres, including donuts and burning out, while a grey Corvette that moves through the Hellcats makes an appearance. The video also documents a minor crash.[6]

Awards and nominations
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2020 MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer Nominated [17]

Charts

Certifications
Sales and certifications for "We Paid"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[28] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[29] 5× Platinum 5,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "42 Dugg Breaks Down the Meaning of "We Paid"".
  2. lilbaby-1 (April 9, 2020). ""My Turn Deluxe" Otw". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved June 15, 2020 – via Instagram.
  3. "Lil Baby & 42 Dogg team up for "We Paid"". ABC News Radio. May 6, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  4. Alphonse, Pierre (June 19, 2020). "The Best and Worst of Rap This Week: Why Lil Baby's Protest Song Should Not Be a Surprise and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  5. Cole, Alexander (May 2, 2020). "Lil Baby & 42 Dugg Team Up For "My Turn" Deluxe Banger "We Paid"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  6. Tigg, FNR (May 7, 2020). "Watch the Video for Lil Baby and 42 Dugg's "We Paid"". Complex. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  7. Johnson, Patrick (May 6, 2020). "Lil Baby Reconnects With 42 Dugg for "We Paid" Music Video". Hypebeast. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  8. McKinney, Jessica (May 2, 2020). "Best New Music This Week: Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Lil Baby, and More". Complex. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  9. Zidel, Alex (June 11, 2020). "Yung Joc Responds To 42 Dugg Diss On Lil Baby Song". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  10. Rossignol, Derrick (May 6, 2020). "Lil Baby And 42 Dugg Show Off Their Prosperity In The New 'We Paid' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  11. Svetz, Josh (May 4, 2020). "Review: Lil Baby Proves His Hit-Making Skills Are Legit On 'My Turn' Deluxe Album". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  12. Seabrook III, Robby (May 2, 2020). "The 13 Best New Songs This Week". XXL. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  13. "Five Burning Questions: What's in the Lead For Song of the Summer?". Billboard. June 17, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  14. "Top 100: USA by Apple Music on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  15. Rashed, Ayana (June 16, 2020). "42 Dugg To Release Deluxe Version Of Young & Turnt 2 On June 19". Respect. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  16. Stanley, Marquin (May 6, 2020). "Lil Baby & 42 Sugg Return With "We Paid" Music Video". Karen Civil. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  17. "Vote Now – Nominees for 2021 MTV Video Music Awards". MTV.
  18. "Lil Baby, CAN". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  19. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  20. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 6, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  21. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  22. "Lil Baby Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  23. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: July 11, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  24. "Top 100 Songs, June 26, 2020 - July 2, 2020". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  25. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  26. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  27. "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  28. "British single certifications – Lil Baby Ft 42 Dugg – We Paid". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  29. "American single certifications – Lil Baby – We Paid". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
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