"Take It to the Head"
Single by DJ Khaled featuring Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne
from the album Kiss the Ring
ReleasedMarch 27, 2012 (2012-03-27)
GenreHip hop
Length4:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
DJ Khaled singles chronology
"IMA BO$ (remix)"
(2011) 		"Take It to the Head"
(2012) 		"Cold"
(2012)
Chris Brown singles chronology
"Right by My Side"
(2012) 		"Take It to the Head"
(2012) 		"Sweet Love"
(2012)
Rick Ross singles chronology
"Think Like a Man"
(2012) 		"Take It to the Head"
(2012) 		"Why"
(2012)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Right by My Side"
(2012) 		"Take It to the Head"
(2012) 		"Beez in the Trap"
(2012)
Lil Wayne singles chronology
"All Aboard"
(2012) 		"Take It to the Head"
(2012) 		"HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)"
(2012)

"Take It to the Head" is a song by American hip hop producer DJ Khaled, released as the lead single from his sixth studio album, Kiss the Ring. The song features American singer Chris Brown, rappers Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and Trinidadian American rapper Nicki Minaj. The song was premiered via DJ Khaled's Twitter on March 26, 2012.[2] It was later released for digital download in the United States on April 3, 2012.[3] The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 digital copies.[4] Musically, "Take It to the Head" is a hip hop song with elements of trap from Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, and R&B from Chris Brown.

Critical reception

David Jeffries highlighted it and wrote a positive description: " Nicki Minaj joins labelmate Wayne, along with Chris Brown and Rick Ross, for "Take It to the Head," a song perfect for rainy days as the lyricists go from sullen to champion over a slow-rolling Runners production."[5] BBC music said of the single, "Single Take It to the Head, meanwhile, is oddly ineffectual considering the talent showcased. Rick Ross comes off lackadaisical, Nicki Minaj offers far from her greatest verse, a mumbling Lil Wayne's mouth sounds fuller of iced grill than usual, while Khaled hollers unselfconsciously over the whole palaver like an actual ghetto Tim Westwood."[6] Mark Bozzer also wrote a positive review: "the Runners/Khaled-produced bachelorette party favourite, "Take It To The Head," featuring Breezy, Rozay, Nicki Minaj and Weezy."[7] XXL panned the song noting it incapable of recapturing the magic of last album’s lead single but he also wrote that it's better than today’s average radio record: "appreciate in listening value over time."[8]

Music video

The video was filmed on April 30, 2012, inside Disaster!: A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring You!, one of the rides in Universal Studios Florida. It was directed by Colin Tilley.[9] It premiered on May 20, 2012, on MTV2 Sucker Free and it was uploaded on DJ Khaled's Vevo account on May 25. In addition to Khaled and the track's featured artists, the video features cameos from rappers Drake, Birdman, Busta Rhymes and Mack Maine, among others. The video takes place at The BART. Brown appears in a cage as he sings the chorus. Rick Ross performs his verse on the sidelines of the train tracks as during the verse, Drake appears. Then Minaj raps her verse sitting on the train tracks as gasoline barrels on fire behind her. Then Wayne performs on the back of a destroyed train as Busta Rhymes, Mack Maine and Birdman make small appearances during Wayne's verse.

Remix

The remix features Chris Brown, Fat Joe, Ace Hood, Jae Millz, Maino, Lil Twist, T-Streets, Bun B and Lil Chuckee.

Live performances

Minaj and Wayne performed the song during Minaj's Pepsi Promotional Show as a part of her Pink Friday Tour. Minaj has also recited her verse on her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour.

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

List of release dates, record label and format details
Country Date Format Label
United States April 3, 2012[3] Digital download We the Best, Terror Squad, Cash Money, Universal Motown
March 26, 2012[18] Rhythmic radio

References

  1. ^ Alexis, Nadeska (March 27, 2012). "DJ Khaled Taps Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown For 'Take It To The Head'". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  2. ^ "Listen To DJ Khaled's All-Star Single "Take It To The Head"". Idolator.com. March 26, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Take It To The Head: DJ Khaled: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  4. ^ "DJ Khaled "Take It To The Head" Goes Gold – Rap Radar". Rap Radar. January 9, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  5. ^ David Jeffries. "Kiss the Ring – DJ Khaled – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  6. ^ "BBC – Music – Review of DJ Khaled – Kiss the Ring". Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "DJ Khaled". Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "DJ Khaled, Kiss the Ring". August 21, 2012.
  9. ^ "Welcome to Twitter – Login or Sign up". Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "DJ Khaled Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  12. ^ "DJ Khaled Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  13. ^ "DJ Khaled Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
  14. ^ "DJ Khaled Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – 2012 Year End Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  16. ^ "Rap Songs – 2012 Year End Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – DJ Khaled featuring Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne – Take It to the Head". Recording Industry Association of America.
  18. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases – R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates – ..." All Access. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
Categories