"Calling My Spirit"
Single by Kodak Black
from the album Dying to Live
ReleasedNovember 30, 2018 (2018-11-30)
Length2:32
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Kodak Black singles chronology
"Take One"
(2018) 		"Calling My Spirit"
(2018) 		"Pimpin Ain't Eazy"
(2019)
Music video
"Calling My Spirit" on YouTube

"Calling My Spirit" is a song recorded by American rapper Kodak Black for his second studio album Dying to Live. It was released on November 30, 2018, via Atlantic Records and WEA, with production by Southside and Jake One.[1]

Background

The song was released as the fourth single for the album, following preceding singles "If I'm Lyin, I'm Flyin", "Zeze" and "Take One".[2] HotNewHipHop described the song as Black baring "his soul over emotional guitar licks. He speaks to himself, and battles his own inner turmoil by pinpointing the proper way to move."[3][4]

Composition

Described as being "powered by heavy bass hits and smooth guitar strings", the song is lyrically said to be about Black's troubling past and his appreciation for current successes.[1] Hip Hop Corner France said that the song is a return of Black to "a style of his own" which is his way of mumble rap singing "that stretches the words, giving him nonchalant air that works so much."[5] A song representing Black in "a more reflective mood"[6] and a show of his "spiritual side driven by smooth melodies and punchy drum work",[7] Rap-Up called the song an introspection of Black who "raps over a stripped-down instrumental".[8]

Music video

The music video was released a week after the song's release. Featuring a two-minute clip of Kodak "looking at the prison system in the United States",[9] the official music video for the song was released on December 5, 2018. It was noted by XXL Mag for having "a variety of messages". Noted as having "trippy visuals" by HotNewHipHop,[10] the video shows Kodak sitting on a throne while being surrounded by women. In another scene, a man is shown having handcuffs placed on his wrists in prison. Later, Kodak appears as a God-like figure surrounded by white clouds before putting together his hands to pray.[11][12]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[18] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b Boykins, Austin (December 5, 2018). "Kodak Black Reflects on His Past in 'Calling My Spirit' Video". Hypebeast. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  2. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (November 30, 2018). "Kodak Black Drops New Video for 'Calling My Spirits'". Complex. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  3. ^ Jahmal, Karlton (November 30, 2018). "Kodak Black Comes Through With 'Calling My Spirit'". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  4. ^ Boykins, Austin (November 30, 2018). "Kodak Black Follows Up "Zeze" With Emotional Cut, "Calling My Spirit"". Hypebeast. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  5. ^ Sim (December 6, 2018). "Kodak Black signe son retour avec 'Calling My spirit' [Clip]". HipHopCorner.fr (in French). Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Brydon, Grant (December 4, 2018). "Kodak Black returns with new single 'Calling My Spirit'". RWD Magazine. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  7. ^ James, Jesse (December 3, 2018). "Listen: Kodak Black – Calling My Spirit". StupidDope. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  8. ^ "New Music: Kodak Black – 'Calling My Spirit'". Rap-Up. November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  9. ^ "Video: Kodak Black – Calling My Spirit". Puna.nl (in Dutch). December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  10. ^ A, Aron (December 5, 2018). "Kodak Black Drops The Trippy 'Calling My Spirit' Music Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  11. ^ Haffenden, Dayna (December 5, 2018). "Kodak Black 'Calling My Spirit' Video". XXL Mag. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  12. ^ Powell, Jon (November 30, 2018). "NEW MUSIC: Kodak Black – "Calling My Spirit"". Respect Magazine. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  13. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  14. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  15. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  16. ^ "Kodak Black Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  17. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  18. ^ "American single certifications – Kodak Black – Calling My Spirit". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
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