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Clappers cover art
Wale
The Gifted
Features Nicki Minaj
Juicy J
Released June 18, 2013
Recorded 2013
Format Digital download
Genre Hip hop
Length 5:11
Label Maybach Music Group, Atlantic Records
Writer Olubowale Akintimehin, Onika Maraj, Jordan Houston
Producer Mark Henry Beats, No Credit, Juicy J
Single information
Single release October 8, 2013
Video release September 3, 2013
←Last single
"I Wanna Be with You"
Next single→
"My Nigga (Remix)"

"Clappers" is a song by Wale from his third studio album The Gifted, which features guest vocals from Nicki Minaj and Juicy J. It serves as the third single from the album. The song is the ninth track from the album. It was produced by Mark Henry Beats, No Credit, and Juicy J. The song was released on June 25, 2013, as a digital download with the album. A music video was shot on June 18, and premiered on September 3.

Background[]

A snippet of the song was posted by Wale on May 22, 2013.[1] It was not confirmed if Minaj was on the song at that time but it sounded like her, and the song was rumored to be called "Clappin'." On May 17, Wale previewed the album at Atlantic Records/Warner Bros. New York City, where "Clappers" was confirmed to appear on the album featuring Minaj and Juicy J, but it was unknown until May 23.[2] Wale planned to release the song the week of June 17-23,[3][4] if he has Minaj's approval to do so.[5][6] He teased the release of the song to be June 18,[7] and release it online that day.[8]

Composition[]

The song was produced by Mark Henry Beats[9], No Credit, and Juicy J, and it samples "Da Butt," from the go-go band E.U. (Experienced Unlimited), featuring live drums.[2]

Critical reception[]

"Clappers" received positive reviews by music critics, who complimented Minaj's verse as the best of the track. Jeff Rosenthal from Rolling Stone enjoyed the song and praised Juicy J and Minaj's verses, specially Minaj's one, commenting: "Juicy J does a Juicy J-ish verse, but the real star of this song is Nicki, who steals the show." He also said that the song "feels like driving on potholes," but "more pleasurable."[2] Trent Fitzgerald from TheDrop.fm called the song and Minaj's verse "the perfect twerking jam for the summer" and "standout," respectively.[10] Brad Wete from Billboard commented that the song is "begging to be played at strip clubs."[11]

Music Video[]

Music Video Information
Wale_Ft._Nicki_Minaj_&_Juicy_J_-Clappers_(Official_Video) Premiere September 3, 2013
Filmed June 18, 2013
Director Benny Boom
Producer Kareem Johnson
Production co London Alley Entertainment
Exec. producer
Editor
Choreographer
Length
Source [1]

Wale announced that there will be a music video, on June 4, 2013, to be shoot by director Benny Boom at New York and Washington D.C.[12] The video was planned to be shot on June 10,[13] but was rescheduled to June 18.[14] It premiered on World StarHipHop on September 3, and on Wale's Youtube account the next day.

Behind the Scenes[]

On June 20, 2013, Nicki announced that there would be a BTS video of the shoot. Later that day, Wale confirmed that it would be released on June 24.

BEHIND_THE_SCENES_OF_"CLAPPERS"_-_WALE_(FT._NICKI_MINAJ_&_JUICY_J)

BEHIND THE SCENES OF "CLAPPERS" - WALE (FT. NICKI MINAJ & JUICY J)

Charts[]

Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 37

Lyrics[]

Explicit version[]

Clean version[]

References[]

  1. (TRUE TEA?) Another Nicki Minaj feature? Wale... Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rolling Stone: Wale Teams With Rihanna, Nicki Minaj on 'The Gifted' by Jeff Rosenthal. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  3. Twitter: Next week RT @MalikkLamar: @Wale What happen to clappers tho? Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  4. Twitter: Next week. i want it to be special . i have a plan RT @lettuceminaj: @Wale dick nobody cares we want Clappers Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  5. Twitter: I would but ya mova said chill till i get her correct change RT @TMTURKEY: @Wale drop Clappers skank Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  6. Twitter: Next week if nicki wants RT @BRAZILIANROMAN: @Wale Will u launch Clappers this week or next? Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  7. Twitter: Im enjoyin what we created. wait tll tmrw 😎RT @NICKIMINAJ: If i see one more raggedy vine of u dancin to clappers, sir.. LOL, I can't @Wale Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  8. Rap-Up.com New Music: Wale f/ Nicki Minaj & Juicy J – ‘Clappers’ Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  9. Wale - Clappers Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  10. Wale Releases ‘Clappers’ with Nicki Minaj and Juicy J Review by Trent Fitzgerald from TheDrop.fm. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  11. Billboard: Wale Previews 'The Gifted' Album In NYC: First Listen by Brad Wete. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  12. Twitter: Looking for some special type of women for "clappers" video. Shootin in DC and NY Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  13. Twitter: Clappers video Monday 👀 Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  14. Twitter: No that shoot will be the 18th RT @ShyLuvMinaj: @Wale yass y'all shoot Clappers tomorrow Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  15. Rap Genius Wale – Clappers Lyrics Retrieved June 25, 2013.
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