"PTSD"
Song by G Herbo featuring Juice Wrld, Lil Uzi Vert, and Chance the Rapper
from the album PTSD
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2020
GenreHip hop
Length3:52
LabelMachine
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)D.A. Got That Dope

"PTSD" is a song by American rapper G Herbo featuring fellow American rappers Juice Wrld, Lil Uzi Vert, and Chance the Rapper. It was released on February 28, 2020, from G Herbo's third studio album of the same name (2020). The song was produced by D.A. Got That Dope. It peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming G Herbo's first and highest-charting song.

Background

In an interview with Rolling Stone, G Herbo described the song's collaboration as "natural", further stating, "I was hounding him — I had to make sure Juice recorded the hook. Once he recorded the hook, we knew we had a smash. Then Chance came naturally and Uzi as well. Everybody recorded their part right in front of me."[1]

"PTSD" is Juice Wrld's second posthumous release, following his feature on Eminem's "Godzilla".

Composition

The song is about the trauma which the rappers have experienced and its effects,[2] such as mental health issues,[3] and features an "eerie" guitar-driven instrumental with "bubbly drums".[3][4] It opens with the chorus, sung by Juice Wrld: "I turn the news on, when I smell death in the air / I prove you wrong, I made it out of here".[4] G Herbo reflects on his own experience of seeing his friends die.[2][4] Next, Chance the Rapper details witnessing shootings, murder (including that of his mother), and robbery, while Lil Uzi Vert touches on their paranoia as a result of PTSD.[2][5]

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews. Critics have praised Juice Wrld's singing of the chorus and described it as sounding even more sadder given his death in December 2019.[2][6] Fred Thomas called it a "mesmerizing melodic hook".[3] Mitch Findlay of HotNewHipHop praised the production of the song, calling it "melancholic yet hopeful".[4] In a HipHopDX review of PTSD, Josh Svetz regarded Lil Uzi Vert's verse as unnecessary and writing that it "takes away from the sentiment of the song, spitting vapid and on the nose bars devoid of detail." However, Svetz went on to comment, "Despite Uzi having another 'Bad and Boujee' moment, the track is one of Herbo's greatest triumphs, a collaboration that serves as the heart of the record."[5]

Live performances

On November 16, 2020, G Herbo and Chance the Rapper performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as a tribute to Juice Wrld.[7]

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] 69
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] 22
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 38
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 19

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Gage, DeWayne (April 10, 2020). "G Herbo Is Still Reckoning With 'PTSD'". Rolling Stone.
  2. ^ a b c d Breihan, Tom (February 28, 2020). "G Herbo – "PTSD" (Feat. Juice Wrld, Chance The Rapper, & Lil Uzi Vert)". Stereogum.
  3. ^ a b c Thomas, Fred. "PTSD - G Herbo". AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Findlay, Mitch. "G Herbo, Juice Wrld, Lil Uzi Vert, & Chance The Rapper Drop "PTSD"". HotNewHipHop.
  5. ^ a b Svetz, Josh (April 13, 2020). "Review: G Herbo Confronts His Demons On Illuminating 'PTSD'". HipHopDX.
  6. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (March 5, 2020). "G Herbo: PTSD Album Review". Pitchfork.
  7. ^ Minsker, Evan (November 17, 2020). "Watch Chance the Rapper and G Herbo Perform "PTSD" on Fallon". Pitchfork.
  8. ^ "G Herbo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 9, 2020.
  10. ^ "G Herbo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  11. ^ "G Herbo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  12. ^ "American single certifications – G Herbo – PTSD". Recording Industry Association of America.
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