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To Be a Man (song)

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"To Be a Man"
Single by Dax
from the album What is Life?
ReleasedApril 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
Genre
Length3:39
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Lex Nour
Dax singles chronology
"Depression"
(2022) 		"To Be a Man"
(2023) 		"God's Eyes"
(2022)
Music video
"To Be a Man" on YouTube
To Be a Man (feat. Darius Rucker)
Cover for version featuring Darius Rucker

"To Be a Man" is a song by Canadian rapper and singer Dax. He wrote the song alongside frequent collaborator and producer Lex Nour.[1] The original version was included on Dax's 2023 mixtape, What is Life?.[2] He released a "mega remix" of the song in June 2023 featuring ten other artists.[3] In October 2023, Dax released a new version of the song featuring American singer-songwriter Darius Rucker.[4] The new version reached number one on the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart in the United States.[5]

Background

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Dax described the track as "the most important song he has ever written".[6] Dax also stated that this song helps him and other people understand what it is like to be a man, hence the song title.

Critical reception

[edit]

Saiid Zeidan of Medium favourably reviewed "To Be a Man", stating that the "raw vulnerability and intricate storytelling" of the song left him "in awe".[7] Alex Harris of Neon Music described "To Be a Man" as "raw, emotional, and introspective," adding that Dax's "lyrical prowess shines as he grapples with societal expectations and the true essence of manhood".[2] An uncredited review from CBC Music described the song as "Dax's sweet spot: writing a song on the pulse of a feeling, and pushing harder on that pain point".[8]

The version of "To Be a Man" featuring Darius Rucker also received praise from critics. Zeidan similarly spoke of the new version, opining that "Dax and Darius did not disappoint". He added that the "interplay between their distinct voices and styles blended seamlessly, elevating the song to new levels".[7] Joshua Reyam of Sinusoidal Music framed the track as "a thought-provoking musical composition that’s bound to resonate with a wide audience," adding that it "encourages empathy and understanding for the often hidden struggles that men face in their roles and responsibilities".[9] Osafo Daniel of Ghana Plug said that the song "provides a powerful platform for exploring these complexities, ultimately encouraging dialogue about the emotional well-being of men".[10] An uncredited review from All Country News said the track "serves as a light for conversation and change".[6]

Music video

[edit]

The official music video for "To Be a Man" premiered on YouTube on April 14, 2023, and was shot by Logan Meis.[11][12] The official video for the version of the song featuring Darius Rucker premiered on October 27, 2023, and was also directed by Logan Meis.[13]

Track listings

[edit]

Digital download - single[14]

  1. "To Be a Man" – 3:39

Digital download - single[15]

  1. "To Be a Man" (Mega Remix) [feat. The Mediary, Shane, Skywalker DaVinci, Kaveman Brown, Hailey Dayton, Ben Becker, Brutha Rick, Romeo ThaGreatwhite, Phix, and Atlus] – 10:12

Digital download - single[16]

  1. "To Be a Man" (feat. Darius Rucker) – 3:39

Charts

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Chart performance for "To Be a Man"
Chart (2023–2024) Peak
position
Canada Country (Billboard)[17] 53
Canada Digital Songs (Billboard)[18] 13
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[19] 12
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[20] 32

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "To Be a Man"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[21] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "To Be a Man - Single by Dax". Spotify. Records Label, LLC / Columbia. April 14, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Harris, Alex (August 20, 2023). "Dax's What Is Life?: A Philosophical Journey Through Music". Neon Music. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  3. ^ "To Be a Man [Mega Remix] - Single by Dax". Spotify. Records Label, LLC / Columbia. June 19, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  4. ^ Holthouse, Jerry (October 30, 2023). "WATCH: Dax, "To Be A Man" Featuring Darius Rucker". Nashville.com. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Billboard Country Update - November 6, 2023" (PDF). Billboard. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Country Innovator Dax Teams Up With Darius Rucker To Share A Universal Message In "To Be A Man"". All Country News. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Zeidan, Saiid (November 7, 2023). "To Be A Man By DAX ft. Darius Rucker". Medium. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  8. ^ "How Dax combined faith, honesty and poetry into a 'recipe for healing'". CBC Music. April 27, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  9. ^ Reyam, Joshua (November 2, 2023). "Dax and Darius Rucker Join Forces in "To Be A Man"". Sinusoidal Music. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  10. ^ Daniel, Osafo (November 2, 2023). "Dax Collaborates with Darius Rucker on Emotionally Charged Song "To Be A Man"". Ghana Plug. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  11. ^ "Dax - "To Be A Man" (Official Music Video)" (video). YouTube. April 14, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  12. ^ "DAX TO BE A MAN". Neon Music. April 16, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  13. ^ "Dax - "To Be A Man" Remix (Feat. Darius Rucker) [Official Video]" (video). YouTube. October 27, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  14. ^ "To Be a Man - Single by Dax". Apple Music (Canada). Records Label, LLC / Columbia. April 14, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  15. ^ "To Be a Man (Mega Remix) [To Be A Man (Mega Remix) [feat. The Mediary, Shane, Skywalker DaVinci, Kaveman Brown, Hailey Dayton, Ben Becker, Brutha Rick, Romeo ThaGreatwhite, Phix & Atlus] - Single by Dax". Apple Music (Canada). Records Label, LLC / Columbia. June 19, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  16. ^ "To Be a Man (feat. Darius Rucker) - Single by Dax". Apple Music (Canada). Records Label, LLC / Columbia. October 27, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  17. ^ "Dax Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  18. ^ "Dax Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "Dax Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  20. ^ "Dax Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  21. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Dax – To Be a Man". Music Canada. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  22. ^ "American single certifications – Dax – To Be a Man". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
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