"Boss" is a song recorded by American musical duo The Carters for their debut album Everything Is Love.[1][2] Recognized by Bustle as "honor[ing] the hard work the couple have put in to everything they touch, ... extend[ing] to raising a family", the song was certified Gold in 2021 by the RIAA for sale of over 500,000 units.[3][4]
| "Boss" | |
|---|---|
| Song by The Carters | |
| from the album Everything Is Love | |
| Released | June 16, 2018 |
| Recorded | 2017–2018 |
| Studio | U Arena (Paris) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:04 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | |
Background and composition
edit“Boss” was written by Knowles, Shawn Carter, Tyrone Griffin Jr., and Dernst Emile II, and produced by The Carters, Derek Dixie, D'Mile, Stuart White, MeLo-X, and Mike Dean. Ty Dolla Sign also contributes backing vocals.[5] In his verse, Jay-Z raps about someone who is “not a boss", allegedly referring to Canadian rapper Drake, who reportedly declined a contract with streaming service Tidal to later accept a $19 million contract with Apple.[6] On Beyonce's rapped verse, she discusses the building of intergenerational wealth in Black communities, addressing her method of building a legacy and portfolio for their descendants. In thinking of how children down the line will benefit from her inheritance, she mentions that “My great-great-grandchildren already rich/That's a lot of brown chil’ren on your Forbes list...” [6][3]
The Independent highlighted the "big brass [outro] (recorded in the team locker rooms at U Arena in Paris) that recall[ed] Beyoncé's mind-boggling show at Coachella; paying tribute to the traditional high school marching band." The track closes with their daughter Blue Ivy Carter offering a message to her younger twin siblings: “Shout out to Rumi and Sir, love, Blue.”[7][3]
Reception
editIn their respective reviews of the parent album, both Pitchfork and The Guardian highlighted Beyonce's line on the song "My great-great-grandchildren already rich/That’s a lot of brown chil’run on your Forbes list”— as "the best of many flexes on the album."[8][9] Bustle celebrated the inclusion of their daughter Blue Ivy Carter, before describing the song as a "masterpiece", as well as "an empowering anthem that honors the fact that the Knowles-Carters — or, for the sake of this album, the Carters — are legit bosses, in every sense of the word."[3]
Personnel
edit- Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter – lead & background vocals, production, vocal production
- Shawn Carter – lead & background vocals, production
- D'Mile – production
- Derek Dixie – additional production
- Mike Dean – additional production
- MeLo-X – additional production
- Stuart White – additional production
- Blue Ivy Carter – additional vocals
- Ty Dolla Sign – additional vocals
- Derek Dixie – horn arrangement
- Corbin Jones – horns
- Christopher Gray – horns
- Christopher Johnson – horns
- Crystal Torres – horns
- Arnetta Johnson – horns
- Lessie Vonner – horns
- Peter Ortega – horns
- Randy Ellis – horns
- Richard Lucchese – horns
- Gimel Keaton – recording engineer
- Tony Maserati – mixing engineer
- Adrien Crapanzano – assistant engineer
- Colin Leonard – mastering engineer
Charts
edit| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart (OCC)[10] | 87 |
| US Hot 100 (Billboard)[11] | 77 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 38 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Pearce, Sheldon (June 19, 2018). "Review: The Carters' 'Everything Is Love' Is A Splendid Celebration". Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Beyoncé and Jay-Z: The State of the Union Is Strong". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Blue Ivy's Message To Rumi & Sir On "Boss" Is The Perfect Way To End A Track That Celebrates The Knowles-Carter Family". Bustle. June 17, 2018. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Iasimone, Ashley (June 16, 2018). "Beyonce & JAY-Z, AKA the Carters, Drop Joint 'Everything Is Love' Album: Listen". Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Kim, Michelle Hyun (June 17, 2018). "5 Takeaways From Beyoncé and JAY-Z's New Album as the Carters, Everything Is Love". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "The Carters - Everything Is Love album review: The final word in Beyonce and Jay Z's trilogy documenting marital strife and newfound bliss | The Independent | The Independent". Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Younger, Briana. "The Carters / Beyoncé / Jay-Z: Everything Is Love". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (June 17, 2018). "The Carters: Everything Is Love review – Beyoncé and Jay-Z celebrate their marriage and magnificence". Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2024 – via The Guardian.
- ^ "Boss". Official Charts. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Zellner, Xander (June 25, 2018). "Beyonce & JAY-Z Debut 5 Songs on Billboard Hot 100 From The Carters' 'Everything Is Love' Album". Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Trevor (June 29, 2018). "Beyonce & JAY-Z's 'Everything Is Love' Launches at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – The Carters – Boss". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 12, 2024.