Self-Made (song)

"Self-Made"
Song by Bryson Tiller
from the album True to Self
ReleasedMay 26, 2017 (2017-05-26)
Genre
Length2:47
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)NES

"Self-Made" is a song by American singer Bryson Tiller. The track appeared on Tiller's second studio album, True to Self, which was released on May 26, 2017. It was written by Tiller, Philip Coleman, Jr., Konstandinos Dimopoulos and Stavros Xarchakos. The song received positive response from music critics, who praised Tiller's rapping skills. The black-and-white music video for the song, directed by Colin Tilley, premiered on October 3, 2017. "Self-Made" debuted at number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Background and release

It just sucks whenever you work so hard to do something, and then a lot of people try to take credit for it. That’s not only what the song’s about, though. It’s about how sometimes you deserve to go ball and splurge on yourself.

—Tiller on the meaning of "Self-Made" in an interview with GQ.[1]

On January 17, 2017, Tiller announced that he is working on his second album, titled True to Self.[2] On May 11, 2017, he revealed the album's artwork, announcing that it would be released on June 23.[3] On May 23, Tiller posted the complete tracklist on his Instagram account, and released the album on May 26, a month early before the intended release.[4] Tiller co-wrote "Self-Made" with Philip Coleman, Jr., Konstandinos Dimopoulos and Stavros Xarchakos, with production handled by NES.

Critical reception

Siena Yates from The New Zealand Herald called it one of the best songs from the album, also praising the production of the song and Tiller's rapping skills.[5] Ryan B. Patrick of Exclaim! wrote that although the song "rides a strong rap flow and hits hard in moment, it leaves your consciousness just as fast as it arrived".[6] Music Times' Dayna Haffenden noted that the song "sounds like the hidden aggression that any normal artist goes through as they figure themselves out", as well as writing that "Tiller's flow gives off that "hardcore rapper" appeal".[7]

Commercial performance

"Self-Made" debuted and peaked at number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 17, 2017.[8] It has sold over 500,000 copies and was certified gold by the RIAA in February 2018.

Music video

Tiller standing on a BMW i8 in the music video for "Self-Made".

The music video for the song, directed by Colin Tilley, premiered via Tiller's Vevo channel on October 3, 2017.[9] The black-and-white video starts with Tiller getting out of the house and performing the song in the hood full of cars and women as it is raining. He is also seen in a room sitting on the bed surrounded by women.[10] The video also features Tiller standing on the top of a moving BMW i8 and riding a Jet Ski through the streets as he gets chased by police.[11]

Live performances

On July 7, 2017, Tiller performed "Self-Made" during his set at the Wireless Festival in London.[12] On August 14, 2017, he performed the song on the Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[13] On November 11, 2017, he performed it at the BBC 1Xtra Live in Manchester.[14] The song was also part of Tiller's Set It Off Tour (2017).[15]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 71
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 85
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] 35

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[19] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "What Bryson Tiller Learned From DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, and Mary J. Blige". GQ. September 28, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  2. ^ "Bryson Tiller Announces New Album 'True to Self'". Rap-Up. January 18, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  3. ^ "Bryson Tiller Releases Tracklist For True To Self". The Fader. May 23, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "Bryson Tiller Drops 'True to Self' Album a Month Early". XXL. May 26, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  5. ^ "Album review: Bryson Tiller, True to Self". The New Zealand Herald. June 1, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  6. ^ "Bryson Tiller True to Self". Exclaim!. May 30, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  7. ^ "'True To Self' Album Review: Bryson Tiller Shifts His Focus On Production". Music Times. June 21, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  8. ^ "Bryson Tiller Self-Made Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  9. ^ "Watch Bryson Tiller's video for "Self-Made"". The Fader. October 3, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  10. ^ "Bryson Tiller Jet Skis Through The Streets In "Self-Made" Video". HotNewHipHop. October 3, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  11. ^ "Bryson Tiller Jet Skis Through the Streets In "Self-Made"". Highsnobiety. October 3, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "Bryson Tiller's set list was OFF. THE. HOOK!". Wireless Festival. July 7, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Bryson Tiller Performs "Run Me Dry" On Jimmy Kimmel Live". Vibe. August 15, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  14. ^ "Travis Scott, Bryson Tiller, J Hus and more to perform at 1Xtra Live in Manchester". About Manchester. September 22, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  15. ^ "Bryson Tiller Plots 'Set It Off' Tour". Rolling Stone. May 30, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  16. ^ "Bryson Tiller Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  17. ^ "Bryson Tiller Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  18. ^ "Bryson Tiller Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  19. ^ "American single certifications – Bryson Tiller – Self-Made". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 15, 2018.