I Ain't Got Time!
| "I Ain't Got Time!" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Tyler, the Creator | ||||
| from the album Flower Boy | ||||
| Released | July 19, 2017 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:26 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Tyler Okonma | |||
| Producer(s) | Tyler, the Creator | |||
| Tyler, the Creator singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"I Ain't Got Time!" is a song by American rapper Tyler, the Creator, released on July 19, 2017 as the third single from his fourth studio album Flower Boy, which was released two days later. It features additional vocals from Shane Powers and incorporates elements of "Introduction" by Bel-Sha-Zaar featuring Tommy Genapopoluis and the Grecian Knights.
Background[edit]
On July 9, 2017, Flower Boy was leaked and surfaced online. One particular line in "I Ain't Got Time!" especially caught the attention of fans as it hinted at Tyler, the Creator's sexual orientation: "Next line will have 'em like 'Whoa' / I been kissing white boys since 2004".[1] The song premiered on July 19, 2017 via Zane Lowe's Beats 1, on which Tyler, the Creator revealed he made the song during one of Kanye West's studio sessions for his album The Life of Pablo. When West was taking a nap, his engineer Noah recorded Tyler on an MPC as Tyler had requested. Tyler started smacking, clapping, "making weird noises", added bass and then a hook to the song. He was inspired to sample "Introduction" after hearing "Groove Is in the Heart" by Deee-Lite, which also samples the song. Tyler offered Kanye West to perform on the song, thinking would "sound so much cooler saying 'I ain't got time'", and also contacted Nicki Minaj many times with the same offer. Both rappers turned it down; West did not like the song, while Minaj could not think of what to write.[2][3][4][5][6] According to Tyler, "I Ain't Got Time!" began as two separate tracks which he then joined together since he could not decide "which one should go as the banger".[7]
Composition[edit]
"I Ain't Got Time!" is a "psychedelic" hip hop song[8] with an uptempo bounce and quick-paced production[6] that contains synthesizers,[8][9][10] a thumping bass and drums with a looped sample from "Groove Is in the Heart".[10] The song uses two different variations of the beat and finds Tyler, the Creator rapping in multiple flows.[1] In one verse, he states he has been "kissing white boys since 2004", before addressing his departure from Vans and shoe deal with Converse[6][9] as well as mentioning "getting neck from a broad".[9]
Critical reception[edit]
Alexandra Holterman of Billboard wrote the song is "perhaps made more unique with just Tyler's raspy voice integrated with the titillating barrage of sounds. With or without the added intrigue caused by the leaked lyric, the single so far appears to be a memorable addition to the rapper's fourth studio album".[10] Likewise, Aaron Williams of Uproxx called it an "ugly-face-inducing banger, with or without an explanation for" the aforementioned line.[1] Matthew Ramirez of Pitchfork commented, "Tyler's refusal to make his life an open book keeps him enigmatic, while his production here, a noisy, gurgling bath of synths makes sure the whole song remains unpredictable. Eight years into his career, Tyler's ability to keep offering new perspectives, especially on 'I Ain't Got Time!', shows he's still full of surprises".[9]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Heatseeker Singles (RMNZ)[11] | 2 |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[12] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Gonzalez, Eddie (July 10, 2017). "Tyler, The Creator Appears To Come Out On His New Album 'Flower Boy'". Uproxx. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Bulut, Selim (July 19, 2017). "Tyler, the Creator made his new song while Kanye was napping". Dazed. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ F, Matt (July 19, 2017). "Tyler, The Creator Says Kanye West & Nicki Minaj Declined "I Ain't Got Time" Features". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Wallace, Riley (July 20, 2017). "Tyler The Creator Explains Why Kanye West and Nicki Minaj Passed On "I Ain't". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "New Music: Tyler, the Creator - 'I Ain't Got Time!'". Rap-Up. July 19, 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (July 19, 2017). "Tyler, The Creator Shares New Single "I Ain't Got Time!"". The Fader. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Burney, Lawrence (July 19, 2017). "Tyler The Creator Made "I Ain't Got Time" While Kanye West Was Napping". Vice. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b Reed, Ryan (July 19, 2017). "Hear Tyler, the Creator's Jolting New Song 'I Ain't Got Time!'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d Ramirez, Matthew (July 20, 2017). ""I Ain't Got Time!"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Holterman, Alexandra (July 19, 2017). "Tyler, the Creator Releases 'Ain't Got Time,' the Single That Fueled Sexuality Rumors". Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 31, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – I Ain't Got Time!". Recording Industry Association of America.