Middle Child (PnB Rock and XXXTentacion song)

"Middle Child"
Song by PnB Rock and XXXTentacion
from the album TrapStar Turnt PopStar
ReleasedMay 3, 2019
GenreTrap
Length2:31
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)DatKidChris
Music video
"Middle Child" on YouTube

"Middle Child" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rappers PnB Rock and XXXTentacion, released from the former's second studio album TrapStar Turnt PopStar on May 3, 2019. It was produced by DatKidChris.

Background[edit]

PnB Rock told Apple Music about his collaboration with XXXTentacion: "He really surprised me with 'MIDDLE CHILD,' because I wasn't even expecting to do that type of song with him. I was thinking I was gonna go one route, talking about how I came up, talking about how I got kicked out my mama's house. But he came on it and just started swagging on it. I'm like, nah, I gotta match that energy. I can't be so serious when he just having fun with this."[1]

Composition[edit]

The song finds PnB Rock and XXXTentacion trading "melodious bars" over a "distinctly trap soundscape".[2] In the chorus, Rock reflects on his difficult childhood life, being the middle child of his family, and his legal trouble as a teenager. XXX boasts about having lots of money.[3]

Music video[edit]

The official music video was released on August 8, 2019. Directed by Derek Pike, it depicts child versions of PnB Rock and XXXTentacion. They hang out on a porch while watching action on the street, and connect a smoothie with chips, cream and a toy car, which they call "trap juice".[4][5] They sell it for $5 a cup in their front yard.[4][6] The drink becomes a financial success and soon the rappers have bought new chains with their profits.[4] At the end of the video, PnB Rock cross his arms in an "X" symbol, as a tribute to the late XXXTentacion.[4][6]

According to PnB Rock, he wanted the visual to be "fun and light-hearted" and remind him of the times he spent with XXXTentacion. He also received approval from X's mother Cleopatra Bernard to release the video.[5]

Charts[edit]

Chart (2019) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[7] 18
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 91
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] 37

References[edit]

  1. ^ "TrapStar Turnt PopStar - Apple Music". Apple Music. May 3, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  2. ^ Fitzgerald, Trent (May 3, 2019). "PnB Rock "Middle Child" Featuring XXXTentacion: Listen to New Song". XXL. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  3. ^ Mench, Chris (May 3, 2019). "PnB Rock's XXXTentacion Collab "Middle Child" Is A Reflection On The Philly Artist's Rough Childhood". Genius. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Zidel, Alex (August 8, 2019). "Young Versions Of XXXTentacion & PnB Rock Star In "Middle Child"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Espinoza, Joshua (August 8, 2019). "Premiere: Watch PnB Rock's New Video for "Middle Child" f/ XXXTentacion". Complex. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Saponara, Michael (August 8, 2019). "PnB Rock Shows His Bond With XXXTentacion in 'Middle Child' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  7. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "PnB Rock Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  9. ^ "PnB Rock Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
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