Shutterbugg
Encyclopedia
"Shutterbugg" is the debut solo single
by American rapper Big Boi
. It is the first single released in promotion of his debut solo album, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. The song features singer Cutty on the song's chorus. The song was co-produced by Scott Storch
and Big Boi himself. "Shutterbugg" was nominated for a Grammy Award
for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
in 2011. Rolling Stone
named it the fourteenth best single of 2010 in its year-end list. PopMatters
ranked it number seven on its year-end best songs list. It is also featured on the NBA 2K11
soundtrack.
"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)", written by Nellee Hooper
, Beresford Romeo, Caron Wheeler
and Simon Law
. The second sample is from "You Are in My System
", written and performed by The System's
David Frank
and Mic Murphy
.
site. It was directed by Chris Robinson
and premiered on May 26, 2010. The video's concept incorporates various scenes that accentuate different lines from Big Boi's lyrics. On its concept, Big Boi said in an interview for MTV, "It goes with the rhymes. Chris Robinson was definitely onboard [with the concept]. What he took from the song was a lyrical, visual adventure. There's a lot of special stuff going on. He's freaking the visuals like I'm freaking the rhymes". Scenes in the music video include Big Boi rapping on a mountain of sneakers, a wall of red disposable cups and four kegs forming a backdrop, a group of puppets serving as a backing band, and a "buxom beauty" holding the disembodied head of Big Boi in the crook of her arm. Simon Vozick-Levinson of Entertainment Weekly
wrote that the video "boasts appropriately nutty imagery to go with the song’s wild sound".
. However, in the UK
, the song became a top 40 hit, peaking at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart
. "Shutterbugg" became a top 20 hit on the UK R&B Singles Chart
, peaking at number 13. "Shutterbugg" was listed as the fifth best song of 2010 by Pitchfork Media
. "Shutterbug" charted at #77 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2010, Australia's annual online music poll.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by American rapper Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
. It is the first single released in promotion of his debut solo album, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. The song features singer Cutty on the song's chorus. The song was co-produced by Scott Storch
Scott Storch
Scott Storch is an American record producer. He produces a variety of music, particularly hip hop, reggaeton, and R&B. His label, Storch Music Company responsible for signing Brooke Hogan and Nox...
and Big Boi himself. "Shutterbugg" was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded between 1991 and 2011, alongside the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
in 2011. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
named it the fourteenth best single of 2010 in its year-end list. PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
ranked it number seven on its year-end best songs list. It is also featured on the NBA 2K11
NBA 2K11
The game has received critical acclaim. Game review websites have praised NBA 2K11 for its developed controls, online multi-player, and Michael Jordan features...
soundtrack.
Background
"Shutterbugg" contains samples of two songs. The first of these is Soul II Soul'sSoul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British group that was created in London in 1988. They are best known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and U.S. Top 5 hit, "Back to Life ".-Career:...
"Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)", written by Nellee Hooper
Nellee Hooper
Nellee Hooper is a British producer/remixer/composer best known for his work with Björk, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Sinéad O'Connor, Garbage, Andrea Corr, U2, Sneaker Pimps, Soul II Soul and Massive Attack...
, Beresford Romeo, Caron Wheeler
Caron Wheeler
Caron Wheeler is a two-time Grammy Award winning British R&B/soul singer, who gained fame by writing and singing the lead vocals on the two biggest hits for Soul II Soul Caron Wheeler (19 January 1963) is a two-time Grammy Award winning British R&B/soul singer, who gained fame by writing and...
and Simon Law
Simon Law
Simon Law is a former keyboardist and songwriter for Soul II Soul.While Law was with Soul II Soul, the band had a #1 UK hit single with "Back To Life ", where he appeared in one of the song's two music videos, and a Top 10 hit with "Keep On Movin'"...
. The second sample is from "You Are in My System
You Are in My System
"You Are in My System" is a synth-boogie song recorded by American "emotio-electro" band The System. The song, written by Mic Murphy and David Frank, was released in 1982 by Mirage Records. The song is also included on their 1983 album Sweat....
", written and performed by The System's
The System (band)
The System was an American synth pop duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Mic Murphy and seasoned session keyboardist David Frank. The band was founded in 1982 in New York and backed up by Paul Pesco on electric guitar and Kris Khellow - keyboards, synthesizers.Sometimes the group is referred to...
David Frank
David Frank
David Frank is an American music producer, composer, classically trained pianist, and founding member of the 1980s R&B group The System. Yamaha Music calls him "the founding father of electronic R&B." -Early Development:...
and Mic Murphy
Mic Murphy
Michael "Mic" Murphy is the lead singer/occasional guitarist of the successful 80's synth R&B duo The System. He is well-known for singing the group's biggest hit, "Don't Disturb This Groove," a 1987 US Top Five Pop and R&B hit....
.
Music video
The video for "Shutterbugg" premiered on 28 May 2010 via Big Boi's VevoVevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
site. It was directed by Chris Robinson
Chris Robinson (director)
Chris Robinson is an American film director working mostly with music videos and commercials. He has directed commercials for brands such as iPod, Coca Cola and Verizon and music videos for songs like "Fallin'" and "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys, "Roc Boys" by Jay-Z, the grammy nominated...
and premiered on May 26, 2010. The video's concept incorporates various scenes that accentuate different lines from Big Boi's lyrics. On its concept, Big Boi said in an interview for MTV, "It goes with the rhymes. Chris Robinson was definitely onboard [with the concept]. What he took from the song was a lyrical, visual adventure. There's a lot of special stuff going on. He's freaking the visuals like I'm freaking the rhymes". Scenes in the music video include Big Boi rapping on a mountain of sneakers, a wall of red disposable cups and four kegs forming a backdrop, a group of puppets serving as a backing band, and a "buxom beauty" holding the disembodied head of Big Boi in the crook of her arm. Simon Vozick-Levinson of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
wrote that the video "boasts appropriately nutty imagery to go with the song’s wild sound".
Reception
"Shutterbugg" peaked at number 60 on the U.S. R&B Charts but failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. However, in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the song became a top 40 hit, peaking at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. "Shutterbugg" became a top 20 hit on the UK R&B Singles Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
, peaking at number 13. "Shutterbugg" was listed as the fifth best song of 2010 by Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
. "Shutterbug" charted at #77 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2010, Australia's annual online music poll.
Formats and track listings
Digital download- "Shutterbugg" (featuring Cutty) (Explicit) - 3:34
Chart positions
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
31 |
| UK R&B Singles UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
13 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100... |
20 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
60 |
| German Black Charts Deutsche Black Charts Deutsche Black Charts DBC, also known by various names including Deutsche Urban Charts and Deutsche Hip Hop/R&B/Dancehall Singles is a chart released weekly by Deutsche Trend Charts in Germany.... |
8 |