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Houdini (KSI song)

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"Houdini"
Tion Wayne(left), Swarmz (centre) and KSI (right) standing with two female models around a sports car, in a blue-lighted room. The title "Houdini" appears in large blue font at the bottom, with KSI's name in small blue font above and the featured artists' names in small blue font below.
Single by KSI featuring Swarmz and Tion Wayne
from the album Dissimulation
Released24 April 2020
Genre
Length2:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
KSI singles chronology
"Poppin"
(2020) 		"Houdini"
(2020) 		"Killa Killa"
(2020)
Swarmz singles chronology
"Mojo Jojo"
(2019) 		"Houdini"
(2020) 		"Freaky"
(2020)
Tion Wayne singles chronology
"4AM"
(2020) 		"Houdini"
(2020) 		"Moncler"
(2020)
Music video
"Houdini" on YouTube

"Houdini" is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI featuring fellow British rappers Swarmz and Tion Wayne from the former's debut studio album, Dissimulation (2020). Produced by AJ Productions and Jacob Manson, the song was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 24 April 2020 as the fourth single from the album. "Houdini" is a UK rap and afroswing track.

"Houdini" received positive reviews from music critics, who commonly praised Swarmz's catchy chorus. The song charted at number six in the United Kingdom, where it has been certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and further charted in Australia, Estonia and Ireland. An accompanying music video was released on 24 April 2020. The video places the three artists in a studio with overhead blue neon lighting, an expensive car and models.

Writing and production

[edit]

"Houdini" was co-produced by British record producers AJ Productions and Jacob Manson. Swarmz recorded both a chorus and a verse to the instrumental. He sent the track to KSI, who listened to it but "wasn't too sure about it". After playing it to his girlfriend, who "thought otherwise" and said "it would be a banger", KSI decided to go ahead and work on the track, recording a verse for "Houdini". KSI "wasn't too keen on Swarmz's verse", so he decided to replace it with a verse from another featured artist, resulting in the addition of a verse by Tion Wayne. KSI recalled that when deciding which other artist to feature on the song, the decision was between Tion Wayne or Jay1.[1][2][3]

Release and promotion

[edit]

KSI revealed the song's title, featured artists, cover art and release date on 17 April 2020 via social media, saying, "we about to drop the biggest U.K. banger of 2020". The song was made available for pre-order on the same day.[4][5] "Houdini" was released for digital download and streaming one week later on 24 April 2020 through American independent record label RBC Records, under BMG Rights Management.[6][7] The song was premiered exclusively on BBC Radio 1 the night before its release.[8][9] A lyric video, created by BWGRX, was released to KSI's YouTube channel on 8 May 2020.[10]

A remix of the song by DJ group Pink Panda was released on 23 June 2020.[11] An audio video for the remix was uploaded to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day.[12]

Critical reception

[edit]

Courtney Wynter of GRM Daily said, ""Houdini" is a polished-sounding single dominated by a fun-filled vibe. Swarmz jumps in first with an infectious hook which is followed by confident lyrics and energetic flows from both KSI and Tion Wayne".[13] Thomas Gillespie of Earmilk said, ""Houdini" is a change of pace from the more American style singles that have come before from KSI. The track is an afro-centric hip-hop club banger that will bar sitting on the charts for weeks to come. UK titans Tion Wayne and Swarmz join KSI on this one and the chemistry is abundant. From the bouncy production and infectious drum pockets to the catchy flows produced by both KSI and Tion Wayne respectively are fantastic. Not to mention, the chorus is by far one of the catchiest and stickiest I have heard in a long time".[14]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Year-end lists for "Houdini"
Publication List Rank Ref.
Amazon Music Best Songs of 2020 43 [15]

Music video

[edit]

The song's music video was uploaded to KSI's YouTube channel on 24 April 2020. It has received 29 million views.[16] The video was filmed in London in March 2020.[17] The video is directed by Kaylum.[13] The video stars all three artists in a studio with "overhead blue neon lights, an expensive car and models".[17]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United Kingdom, "Houdini" earned the highest new entry on the UK Singles Chart in its first week of release. It debuted at number six, becoming KSI's second song to reach the top 10, and spent a total of 10 weeks on the chart.[18][19] The song also debuted at number five on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart.[20] On 9 July 2020, Music Week reported that "Houdini" was the UK's 49th highest-selling song of the first half of 2020.[21] On 31 July 2020, "Houdini" was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for track-equivalent sales of 200,000 units in the UK.[22] On 14 September 2020, Music Week reported that "Houdini" has sold 228,569 track-equivalent units in the UK.[23] In Ireland, "Houdini" debuted at number 11 on the Irish Singles Chart and spent a total of nine weeks on the chart.[24] The song debuted at number 10 on the Euro Digital Song Sales chart.[25] KSI reacted to the commercial success of "Houdini" at the time, tweeting, "Thank you everyone for your support. We're consistently breaking boundaries. They're slowly understanding the power of a YouTuber. Too gassed right now!!"[26][27]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[28]

  • KSI – songwriting, vocals
  • Swarmz – songwriting, vocals
  • Tion Wayne – songwriting, vocals
  • AJ Productions – production, songwriting
  • Jacob Manson – production, songwriting
  • Eight9FLY – songwriting
  • Michalis Michael – mixing
  • Henkka Niemistö – mastering

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Houdini"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[29] 36
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40)[30] 34
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[25] 10
Ireland (IRMA)[24] 11
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[31] 3
Scotland (OCC)[32] 8
UK Singles (OCC)[33] 6
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[20] 5
UK Indie (OCC)[34] 1

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Houdini"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Houdini"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
Various 24 April 2020
Original
[7]
United Kingdom Adult contemporary radio [35]
Various 23 June 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Pink Panda remix [11]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dissimulation by KSI / Editors' notes". Apple Music. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  2. ^ "KSI opens up about next boxing fight & debut album 'Dissimulation'". Capital XTRA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  3. ^ "KSI Breaks Down 'Dissimulation' With Robert Bruce". GRM Daily. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  4. ^ KSI [@KSI] (17 April 2020). "WE ABOUT TO DROP THE BIGGEST U.K. BANGER OF 2020. Houdini out next Friday. Pre order here" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 April 2020 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ KSI (17 April 2020). "WE ABOUT TO DROP THE BIGGEST U.K. BANGER OF 2020. Houdini out next Friday. Pre order link in bio 📷: @kelvinjoness". Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2020 – via Instagram.
  6. ^ "KSI Releases New Single, "Houdini" Featuring Swarmz, Tion Wayne". EIN News. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  7. ^ a b Releases for "Houdini":
  8. ^ Brinnand, AJ (24 April 2020). "KSI Releases New Track 'Houdini'". TenEighty. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  9. ^ KSI [@KSI] (23 April 2020). "Big shoutout to @charliehedges and @Melvinodoom GO TO RADIO 1 RIGHT NOW TO HEAR THE NEW TRACK "HOUDINI"" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 April 2020 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "KSI – Houdini (feat. Swarmz & Tion Wayne) [Official Lyric Video]". 8 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ a b Releases for "Houdini (Pink Panda Remix)":
  12. ^ "KSI – Houdini (feat. Swarmz & Tion Wayne) [Pink Panda Remix]". 23 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ a b "KSI, Swarmz & Tion Wayne Join Forces For Huge Single "Houdini"". GRM Daily. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  14. ^ Gillespie, Thomas (28 April 2020). "KSI makes any doubt disappear on "Houdini"". Earmilk. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Best Songs of 2020". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  16. ^ "KSI – Houdini (feat. Swarmz & Tion Wayne) [Official Music Video]". 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ a b Deen, Sarah (23 April 2020). "KSI hangs out with Swarmz in stripped down music video for new single Houdini as he gears up for 'personal' new album". Metro. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Times Like These: BBC Radio 1's Stay Home Live Lounge charity single claims Number 1". Official Charts Company. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  19. ^ "KSI | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  20. ^ a b "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  21. ^ Paine, Andre (9 July 2020). "How KSI scored the biggest breakthrough of 2020 so far". Music Week. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  22. ^ a b "British single certifications – Ksi Ft Swarmz & Tion Wayne – Houdini". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  23. ^ Homewood, Ben (14 September 2020). "Atlantic Records signs 'true trailblazer' Tion Wayne". Music Week. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Euro Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  26. ^ KSI [@KSI] (1 May 2020). "6th!!!! HOLY FUCK. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WE'RE CONSISTENTLY BREAKING BOUNDARIES. THEYRE SLOWLY UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF A YOUTUBER. TOO GASSED RIGHT NOW!!" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 May 2020 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "KSI's New Single 'Houdini' Reaches Number 6 In UK Official Chart". TenEighty. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  28. ^ "KSI / Houdini (feat. Swarmz & Tion Wayne) / Credits". Tidal. 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  29. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  30. ^ Nestor, Siim (5 May 2020). "EESTI TIPP-40 MUUSIKAS Mängu Fortnite toel on Travis Scott taas kõrgel tabelis". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  31. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  32. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  33. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  34. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  35. ^ "Capital XTRA Playlist". Capital Xtra. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
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