"Backstage Passes" is a song by American rapper EST Gee featuring American rapper Jack Harlow, from the former's debut studio album I Never Felt Nun (2022). Produced by Pooh Beatz and Nik Dean, it was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on October 11, 2022 as the fifth single from the album.
| "Backstage Passes" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by EST Gee featuring Jack Harlow | ||||
| from the album I Never Felt Nun | ||||
| Released | October 11, 2022 | |||
| Length | 2:38 | |||
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| EST Gee singles chronology | ||||
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| Jack Harlow singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Backstage Passes" on YouTube | ||||
Composition
editThe song sees EST Gee and Jack Harlow rapping about their prowess in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.[1] The latter also mentions traveling to Cincinnati in his verse.[2]
Critical reception
editPaul Attard of Slant Magazine wrote a favorable review of the song:
There's one guest spot on I Never Felt Nun that effectively offsets the album's relentless bravado: Jack Harlow, whose cheeky swagger on the minimal "Backstage Passes" serves as a nice foil to Gee's self-serious fulminating. The native Louisvillians trade off their accomplishments on the track's chorus—Gee made it famous for "turkey bags," while Harlow gave its residents a few Guinness-sized "big records"—with a laidback charisma, exhibiting a natural rapport that veers into boyish playfulness. It's not a terribly flashy collaboration, especially given how barebones the track's production remains, but it exemplifies I Never Felt Nun's workmanlike ethos. If only that approach had been applied to the album's editing.[3]
Music video
editA music video for the song was released on September 16, 2022, alongside I Never Felt Nun. Directed by Cole Bennett, it opens with EST Gee and Jack Harlow sitting in a waiting room dressed in blue denim. The room shifts into a backdrop for a fitting session, matching the colors of the outfits that the rappers try on: red and white. Wearing the white outfits, Gee and Harlow step through a curtain and perform in front of a raucous crowd. At the end of the video, they return to the waiting room and the time for their appointment arrives.[4]
Charts
edit| Chart (2022–2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[5] | 23 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 98 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] | 28 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard)[8] | 18 |
References
edit- ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (September 17, 2022). "EST Gee & Jack Harlow Link For Ever-Evolving 'Backstage Passes' Video". HipHopDX. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
- ^ Ogwude, Haadiza (September 19, 2022). "Jack Harlow name-drops Cincinnati in new song titled 'Backstage Passes'". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
- ^ Attard, Paul (September 21, 2022). "EST Gee I Never Felt Nun Review: A Workmanlike but Redundant Rap Album". Slant Magazine. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Sadler, Armon (September 16, 2022). "EST Gee And Jack Harlow Try On Performance Outfits In The Cole Bennett-Directed 'Backstage Passes' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 26, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
- ^ "Jack Harlow Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ "Jack Harlow Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ "Jack Harlow Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2024.