Tempo (Exo song)

"Tempo" is a song by South Korean–Chinese boy band Exo, released on November 2, 2018, as the lead single of the band's fifth studio album Don't Mess Up My Tempo. The music video was released on the same date. The Chinese version features member Lay, who has been on an extended hiatus since "For Life" in 2016.

Background
"Tempo" was called "a rhythmical hip-hop-leaning dance track that showcases a cappella harmonies as they send warnings not to 'mess up his tempo' with their lover". Billboard stated the preview "starts off with a dramatic synth melody, pulsating beat and the phrase 'I can't believe'." On February 24, 2019, the Korean music video surpassed 100 million views on YouTube. Exo promoted the album and song with teasers throughout October 2018, including a 30-second Tempo Concept short film, showing the band as a biker gang, which was a preview of "Tempo".

Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.

Studio

 * In Grid Studio – recording
 * The Vibe Studio – recording
 * doobdoob Studio – digital editing
 * SM Big Shot Studio – engineered for mix
 * SM Blue Cup Studio – mixing
 * Sterling Sound – mastering

Personnel

 * SM Entertainment – executive producer
 * Lee Soo-man – producer
 * Exo – vocals, background vocals
 * Penomeco – Korean lyrics
 * JQ – Korean lyrics
 * Yoo Young-jin – Korean lyrics, music and sound supervisor
 * Arys Chien – Chinese lyrics
 * Jamil "Digi" Chammas – producer, composition, arrangement
 * Leven Kali – producer, composition, background vocals
 * MZMC – composition
 * Adrian McKinnon – composition, background vocals
 * Jeremy "Tay" Jasper – composition
 * Deez – vocal directing
 * Onestar – vocal directing
 * Andrew Choi – background vocals
 * Jeong Eun-kyung – recording
 * Kwak Jeong-shin – recording
 * Jeong Mo-yeon – recording
 * Jang Woo-young – digital editing
 * Lee Min-gyu – engineered for mix
 * Jung Eui-seok – mixing
 * Chris Gehringer – mastering