"Wolves"
Single by Big Sean featuring Post Malone
from the album Detroit 2
ReleasedSeptember 19, 2020
GenreHip hop
Length3:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Big Sean singles chronology
"Deep Reverence"
(2020) 		"Wolves"
(2020) 		"Timeless"
(2020)
Post Malone singles chronology
"Tap In (Remix)"
(2020) 		"Wolves"
(2020) 		"Spicy"
(2020)
Music video
"Wolves" on YouTube

"Wolves" is a song by American rapper Big Sean featuring fellow American rapper and singer Post Malone. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on September 19, 2020, as the second single from the former's fifth studio album Detroit 2.[1] The song was written alongside producers Take a Daytrip, Teddy Walton, and Samuel Bonhart, as well as A$AP Rocky, who provides additional vocals.[2]

Background and composition

The "motivational" song sees Big Sean rapping about being raised to overcome obstacles, while Post Malone adds melodic vocals to the track.[3] Prior to its release, the song was previewed by Take a Daytrip on September 29, 2019 on Instagram Live.[4] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in October 2019, Sean stated that the song was about "my family growing up. Everybody's in there, my grandma, my mom, my brother — it's like they were a pack of wolves and they were the sweetest and strongest. It's one of my favorites on the album."[5] When asked how he collaborated with Post Malone, he said:

Post Malone heard it early. I ran into him at a restaurant, and we were kicking it. It was like a mutual-respect-type of exchange. We were both working, so I'm like, "I got this song. See what you think." When I sent it to him he was like, "Man, this is incredible. I have to, let's do it." A$AP Rocky is on there too, at the very beginning just doing some ad-libs.[5]

Big Sean also revealed in that interview that ASAP Rocky originally had a verse on the song, but it was moved to another song on Detroit 2.[5]

Music video

The official music video was released on November 20, 2020. It features a cameo from Big Sean's mother, Myra Anderson.[6] The rappers "trade haunting verses in a sleek white warehouse",[7] and also in front of a big red circle resembling a super blood wolf moon.[8]

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 56
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 65
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 24
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[12] 20

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[13] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Crossover Radio Music News, Charts, Top Songs, Stations | AllAccess.com". 2020-09-27. Archived from the original on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  2. ^ "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  3. ^ Cole, Alexander (September 5, 2020). "Big Sean & Post Malone Drop An Undeniable Banger In "Wolves"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  4. ^ Take A Day Trip & Big Sean Preview New Song "Wolfes" 🐺
  5. ^ a b c Suskind, Alex (October 15, 2019). "Big Sean, back in control". Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  6. ^ "Watch Big Sean and Post Malone team up in new video for 'Wolves'". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 2020-11-21. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  7. ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 20, 2020). "Big Sean & Post Malone Take a Walk on the Wild Side in 'Wolves' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  8. ^ Caraan, Sophie (November 22, 2020). "Big Sean and Post Malone Drop "Wolves" Music Video". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  9. ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  10. ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  11. ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  12. ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "American single certifications – Big Sean – Wolves feat. Post Malone". Recording Industry Association of America. January 15, 2021.
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