"Carousel"
Song by Travis Scott featuring Frank Ocean
from the album Astroworld
ReleasedAugust 3, 2018 (2018-08-03)
Length3:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
[1]
Producer(s)

"Carousel" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper and singer Travis Scott featuring fellow American singer and rapper Frank Ocean, released on August 3, 2018 as the second track off of the former's third studio album Astroworld (2018).

Critical reception

"Carousel" received positive reviews from outlets, with many praising Frank Ocean's contributions to the track.[2] Among them was Spin's Ezra Marcus had heavy praise for Ocean's feature, saying that his "words stand out as an oasis of effortless chill."[3] Roisin O'Connor labelled the Beastie Boys sample as "Superb" and called Ocean's appearance "exquisite, blissful even, as his signature, rich-yet-husky voice floats over delicate chords"[4] Somewhat contrary, while praising Ocean's hook, The Fader's Ben Dandridge-Lemco found the verses to be "Unremarkable".[5]

Controversy

On September 14, 2018, it was reported that Frank Ocean had filed a cease and desist to get his vocals removed from the song, as it was claimed that his vocals were pitch shifted.[6] Ocean responded to the reports on his Tumblr, saying that he approved of the song's current mix and stated that was not the problem. He explained that it was about social issues relating to sexuality, writing on Tumblr, "THE CEASE AND DESIST WASN’T ABOUT 🔊 IT WAS ABOUT 🏳️‍🌈. ME AND TRAVIS RESOLVED IT AMONGST OURSELVES WEEKS AGO. 💖"[7] Travis Scott confirmed he was on good terms with Ocean in an Instagram post, calling Ocean a "true inspiration in an out of the Stu. Gang."[7]

Charts

Chart (2018–2019) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 99
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 20
France (SNEP)[10] 70
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 79
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] 30
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[13] 73
UK Singles (OCC)[14] 29
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 24
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 15

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[17] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[18] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[19] Platinum 80,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "ASTROWORLD / Travis Scott on TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  2. ^ Phillips, Yoh. "Travis Scott 'ASTROWORLD' 1 Listen Album Review". djbooth.net. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  3. ^ Marcus, Ezra. "Frank Ocean Is The Brightest Attraction in Travis Scott's Astroworld". Spin. Bob Guccione, Jr. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  4. ^ O'Connor, Roisin. "Travis Scott, Astroworld review: Lightyears ahead of his peers". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  5. ^ Dandridge-Lemco, Ben. "Sometimes that mid be hitting: A review of Travis Scott's Astroworld". The Fader. Andy Cohen. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  6. ^ Renshaw, David. "Frank Ocean reportedly files cease and desist against Travis Scott over Astroworld vocals". The Fader. Andy Cohn. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  7. ^ a b Maicki, Salvatore. "Frank Ocean says he and Travis Scott resolved "Carousel" dispute weeks ago". The Fader. Andy Cohn. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  8. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #486". auspOp. August 18, 2018. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  10. ^ "SNEP Top Singles: Week 32 (2018)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. August 10, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Travis Scott – Carousel" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  12. ^ "Travis Scott – Carousel". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  13. ^ "Travis Scott – Carousel". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  15. ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "Travis Scott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  17. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  18. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Travis Scott – Carousel" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  19. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Travis Scott – Carousel". Music Canada. Retrieved October 27, 2021.

External links

Travis Scott
Frank Ocean
Categories