Take a Step Back

"Take a Step Back"
Single by Ski Mask the Slump God featuring XXXTentacion
from the album Drown in Designer and You Will Regret
ReleasedMay 12, 2017
Recorded2016
Genre
Length3:30
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ronny J
Ski Mask the Slump God singles chronology
"BabyWipe"
(2017)
"Take a Step Back"
(2017)
"Catch Me Outside"
(2017)
XXXTentacion singles chronology
"What in XXXTarnation"
(2017)
"Take a Step Back"
(2017)
"Revenge"
(2017)

"Take a Step Back" is a song by American rapper Ski Mask the Slump God featuring fellow American rapper XXXTentacion. The song was released as a single for Ski Mask's mixtape You Will Regret. It was produced by Ronny J.

Background

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"Take a Step Back" was originally released for Ski Mask the Slump God's mixtape Drown in Designer on May 16, 2016 and as a single for Ski Mask's mixtape You Will Regret on May 12, 2017. The song has been described as a "mosh pit anthem" and as the unofficial theme of rap festivals.[1][2] The song utilizes elements of punk rock and heavy metal. The song was recorded on a pair of iPhone earbuds, giving it a distorted sound, but Ski Mask said that he and XXXTentacion used it to their advantage.[1][3]

A feud ensued between Ski Mask and X between late 2017 and early 2018, with Ski Mask saying he wanted to be seen as an individual rapper rather than just X's partner.[4] X briefly said he would quit music until Ski Mask would be his friend again.[5] At the 2018 Rolling Loud festival while Ski Mask was set to perform, the two surprised the audience with X joining Ski Mask to perform "Take A Step Back", ending the feud.[1]

Personnel

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Take a Step Back"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[6] Gold 30,000
United States (RIAA)[7] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "How "Take a Step Back" Became a Mosh Pit Anthem". Complex. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  2. ^ Elibert, Mark (2021-11-10). "Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, XXXTENTACION + More Officially Named SoundCloud Greats". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  3. ^ Woods, Aleia (3 May 2021). "Ski Mask The Slump God Calls Out 6ix9ine After Tekashi Plays XXXTentacion's 'Look at Me' During Concert". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  4. ^ "Ski Mask The Slump God Distances Himself From XXXTentacion – XXL". XXL Mag. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "XXXTentacion Will Make Music If Ski Mask the Slump God Is His Friend Again". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  6. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "American single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back". Recording Industry Association of America.