Ball (song)

"Ball"
Single by T.I. featuring Lil Wayne
from the album Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head
ReleasedOctober 16, 2012
Recorded2012
Genre
Length3:25
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Clifford Harris
  • Dwayne Carter
  • Richard Butler
  • Earl Hood
  • Eric Goudy II
Producer(s)
T.I. singles chronology
"Go Get It"
(2012)
"Ball"
(2012)
"Trap Back Jumpin"
(2012)
Lil Wayne singles chronology
"No Worries"
(2012)
"Ball"
(2012)
"She Don't Put It Down"
(2012)
Music video
"Ball" on YouTube

"Ball" is a song by American rapper T.I., released on October 16, 2012, as the second official single from his eighth studio album Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head (2012). The song features a guest appearance from fellow American rapper Lil Wayne, as well as production and uncredited vocals from American record producer Rico Love. In 2013, the song was included on the soundtrack to the film Fast & Furious 6.

Background

The single, a New Orleans bounce record, was first announced by the song's producer Rico Love, who already had high hopes for the song, stating: "I'm not trying to be cocky, but I pretty much know that that's gonna be a hit record".[1] T.I. unveiled the single's original artwork on June 29, 2012, which was later changed on October 8, 2012, along with the announcement of the single's release date.[2][3] The song was previewed in the second season of his reality television series T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle on episode 5. The episode premiered on September 25, 2012, featuring the preview of it at a listening session in Chicago.[4] The song was released on October 15, 2012, via T.I.'s YouTube channel managed by Atlantic Records, and was available for purchase at iTunes Store on October 16, 2012. Rico Love sampled "Drag Rap", as performed by The Showboys, to produce the song.[1]

Music video

T.I. shot a video for the song at Hollygrove in New Orleans, featuring cameo appearances of Rico Love, Trae, Mack Maine, Birdman, T.I.'s sons as well as T.I. and Lil Wayne. The photos of it came out on September 25, 2012, via his series #TroubleManTuesdays.[5] The video of behind the scenes was released, on September 28, 2012, and the trailer for it came out on October 16, 2012 - same day it was released on iTunes.[6][7] The music video premiered on VH1 Right after T.I.'s show T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle. The video was directed by Marc Klasfeld.

Track listing

Digital download
  1. "Ball" — 3:25

Credits and personnel

Music Video Director: Marc Klasfeld Production Company: Rockhard Motion Studio: Super77 Producer: Rainer Ziehm Project Coordinator: Sara Santillan Creative Director: Nate Reese, Sean Conner Animation: Nate Reese, Chris Meister, Andrew Mark, Scott Ulliman, Chavilah Bennett

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14] Gold 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Canada[15] October 16, 2012 Digital download Grand Hustle, Atlantic
United States[16]

References

  1. ^ a b "T.I. Taps Into New Orleans Bounce on New Single with Lil Wayne". Rap-Up. Rap-Up. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  2. ^ "T.I. – Ball f. Lil Wayne (Single Artwork)". 2DopeBoyz. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  3. ^ "T.I. – 'Ball' (Feat. Lil Wayne) (Single Artwork)". Navjosh. HipHop-N-More. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  4. ^ "T.I. Previews Lil Wayne Collaboration 'Ball' (Video)". Rap-Up. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  5. ^ "On The Set: T.I. x Lil Wayne "Ball"". Rap Radar. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Behind The Scenes: T.I. – Ball (Ft. Lil Wayne)". KillerHipHop. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  7. ^ "T.I. Videos - Ball (Trailer)". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  8. ^ "T.I. Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  9. ^ "T.I. Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  10. ^ "T.I. Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  11. ^ "T.I. Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  12. ^ "2013 Year End Charts — R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  13. ^ "2013 Year End Charts — Rap Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  14. ^ "American single certifications – T.I. – Ball". Recording Industry Association of America.
  15. ^ "Music - Ball (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single by T.I." iTunes Store. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  16. ^ "Music - Ball (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single by T.I." iTunes Store. Retrieved 16 October 2012.