Revenge (Joyner Lucas song)

"Revenge"
Single by Joyner Lucas
from the album ADHD
ReleasedFebruary 3, 2020
GenreHip hop
Length4:29
LabelTwenty Nine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Joyner Lucas singles chronology
"ADHD"
(2019) 		"Revenge"
(2020) 		"Lotto"
(2020)
Music video
"ADHD with Revenge Intro" on YouTube
"Revenge" on YouTube

"Revenge" is a song by American rapper Joyner Lucas, released on February 3, 2020 as the seventh single from his debut studio album ADHD (2020). It was produced by Boi-1da, Jahaan Sweet, Sonorous and DrtWrk.

Background

The song premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1, in which Lucas stated he was in a bad mood when he wrote it.[1][2]

Composition

The production uses a "haunting" piano loop. Lyrically, the song centers on Joyner Lucas' diminishing returns of his own success and his toxic and destructive behavior.[3] Lucas raps with aggression while in a reflective state.[4]

Critical reception

Mitch Findlay of HotNewHipHop praised Joyner Lucas' performance, commenting he "deftly controls his cadence to build anticipation for the inevitable drop. When the drums do hit, they add a new layer of urgency to his reflection." In addition, he stated "Of all the songs released thus far, 'Revenge' feels like a highlight in many ways. Easily the darkest fragment of the picture, Joyner's intensity and seemingly endless array of flows speak to the hunger within him."[3] Victor D. Infante of Telegram & Gazette reacted favorably to the song as well as its music video, remarking that "'Revenge' makes good use of two of Lucas' greatest strengths as an artist: A gift for narrative storytelling in his music and videos, and an ability to tightly wind his rhymes, delivering them with control and precision."[4]

Music video

On December 13, 2019, the music video for Joyner Lucas' song "ADHD" was released with a preview of "Revenge" in the beginning. It sees Lucas standing outside a pharmaceutical facility with a bomb strapped to his chest and being confronted by a SWAT team. As the bomb explodes, the song ends and the video for "ADHD" starts.[5]

An official music video was released in February 2020. Directed by Lucas and Ben Proulx, it begins with Lucas participating in a bank heist that ends with him being betrayed and left for dead by a partner. Lucas returns and takes revenge.[4]

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[6] 27

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Joyner Lucas Readies 'ADHD' Album for March". Rap-Up. February 3, 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  2. ^ Saponara, Michael (February 4, 2020). "Joyner Lucas Releases 'Revenge,' Readies 'ADHD' Album & Two More Projects for March". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b Findlay, Mitch (September 26, 2022). "Joyner Lucas Drops Off Full Version Of Haunting "Revenge"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Infante, Victor D. (February 16, 2020). "Joyner Lucas returns for 'Revenge'". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  5. ^ Blistein, Jon (December 13, 2019). "Joyner Lucas Grapples With Mental Health, Medication in New 'Revenge Intro/ADHD' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  6. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 17, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  7. ^ "American single certifications – Joyner Lucas – Revenge". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 25, 2024.