Big Fish (song)

"Big Fish"
Single by Vince Staples
from the album Big Fish Theory
ReleasedMay 18, 2017 (2017-05-18)
StudioEastWest Studios, Los Angeles
Genre
Length3:18
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Christian Rich
Vince Staples singles chronology
"Ascension"
(2017) 		"Big Fish"
(2017) 		"Rain Come Down"
(2017)
Music video
"Big Fish" on YouTube

"Big Fish" is a song recorded by American rapper Vince Staples for his second studio album, Big Fish Theory (2017). It was released on May 18, 2017 by Blacksmith Records, ARTium Recordings and Def Jam Recordings.[1] The song features vocals from Juicy J and produced by Christian Rich.[2]

Reception and composition

"Big Fish" as produced by Nigerian/Chicago duo Christian Rich, featured as Pitchfork's "Best New Track" with Sheldon Pearce deeming it as "a meditation on rap's transformative properties," saying it "engages with rap as a mechanism to escape poverty, evaluating the wealth gap between an emerging rapper’s past and present."[3] According to Clash, Staples "not only reflects on his life prior to fame, but also address the problems that come with success."[4] Spin stated the song takes cues from west coast funk.[5]

Music video

The song's accompanying music video premiered on May 18, 2017 on Staples' Vevo channel on YouTube.[6] The music video was directed by David Helman.[2] In the video, Staples is "sitting on a sailboat that's slowly sinking into shark-infested waters. Despite the circumstances, Staples casually leans back and fires a few flares while he tears through the relentless "Big Fish"."[7]

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 82
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[9] 11
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[10] 10

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[11] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Big Fish - Single by Vince Staples on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Video: Vince Staples feat. Juicy J – 'Big Fish' - Rap-Up". Rap-Up. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  3. ^ ""Big Fish" Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  4. ^ "Vince Staples - Big Fish Theory". Clash. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  5. ^ "Vince Staples Drops "Big Fish," Announces 'Big Fish Theory' Release Date". Spin. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  6. ^ "Watch Vince Staples' Video for New Song "Big Fish"". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  7. ^ "Vince Staples Previews New LP With Striking 'Big Fish' Video".
  8. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #427". auspOp. July 1, 2017. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  9. ^ "Vince Staples – Big Fish" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  10. ^ "Vince Staples – Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "American single certifications – Vince Staples – Big Fish". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 29, 2023.

Big Fish is also known as Vishwesh, and his buddies name is Yuven.