Circo Loco

2022 single by Drake and 21 Savage
"Circo Loco"
Single by Drake and 21 Savage
from the album Her Loss
ReleasedNovember 11, 2022
Length3:56
Label
  • OVO
  • Republic
Songwriter(s)
  • Aubrey Graham
  • Shéyaa Abraham-Joseph
  • Matthew Samuels
  • Brytavious Chambers
  • Noah Shebib
  • Miles McCollum
  • Thomas Bangalter
  • Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo
  • Anthony Moore
Producer(s)
  • Boi-1da
  • Tay Keith
  • 40 (add.)
Drake singles chronology
"Rich Flex"
(2022) 		"Circo Loco"
(2022) 		"We Caa Done"
(2023)
21 Savage singles chronology
"Rich Flex"
(2022) 		"Circo Loco"
(2022) 		"One Mic, One Gun"
(2022)

"Circo Loco" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake and British-American rapper 21 Savage from their collaborative studio album Her Loss (2022). It was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio on November 11, 2022, as the second single from the album.[1] Produced by Boi-1da, Tay Keith and 40, it contains a sample and interpolation of "One More Time" by Daft Punk. The song garnered controversy over a perceived diss toward American rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

Composition

"Circo Loco" features "progressing" chords and "booming" bass in production,[2] backed by the slowed-and-chopped sample.[3] In his verse, Drake first raps about his sex life,[4] and then addresses the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion by Canadian rapper Tory Lanez in 2020, suggesting in his lyrics that she was lying about the incident: "This bitch lie 'bout getting shots, but she still a stallion / She don't even get the joke, but she still smiling". He also raps about ending his feud with Kanye West for their benefit concert performance in support of Larry Hoover and raising awareness on prison reform, claiming that he only did it to appease James Prince, who planned the concert.[2] 21 Savage raps about and threatens his enemies in his verse.[5]

Controversy

The song generated controversy due to Drake's lyrics about Megan Thee Stallion, who responded on Twitter with a series of posts condemning it.[6][7] Rapper Lil Yachty, a songwriter of "Circo Loco", denied the song was referring to Megan on Instagram Live, saying, "It's not about Megan, it's about women lying about their butt shots, saying it's real when it's fake."[8] On December 23, 2022, Lanez was convicted in a jury trial on three felony charges in respect to the shooting: assault with a semiautomatic handgun, having a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and gross negligence in discharging his firearm.[9]

Critical reception

The song received generally negative reviews from music critics, with particular criticism directed toward the sample as well as Drake's lines alluding to Megan Thee Stallion. Alex Swhear of Variety regarded the song "ill-advised in its Daft Punk sample and the perplexing bars that follow, in which Drake appears to make light of the alleged assault of Megan Thee Stallion by Tory Lanez".[10] Marcus Shorter of Consequence wrote, "Taking swipes at Megan Thee Stallion on 'Circo Loco' puts that misogynistic behavior on full display."[11] Matthew Ritchie of HipHopDX commented that the song "feels cheap and soulless",[12] while Paul A. Thompson of Pitchfork described it as having a "hammily stupid Daft Punk flip".[13] Josh Svetz of Paste wrote, "'Circo Loco' has been criticized for the Megan Thee Stallion diss, but its worst crime is butchering Daft Punk's classic 'One More Time'."[14]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Circo Loco"
Chart (2022–2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 9
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 5
France (SNEP)[17] 126
Global 200 (Billboard)[18] 8
Greece International (IFPI)[19] 8
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[20] 10
Ireland (IRMA)[21] 7
Italy (FIMI)[22] 69
Lithuania (AGATA)[23] 29
Luxembourg (Billboard)[24] 16
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] 35
Norway (VG-lista)[26] 37
Portugal (AFP)[27] 24
South Africa (RISA)[28] 9
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] 55
UK Singles (OCC)[30] 7
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[31] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[32] 8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[33] 7
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[34] 6

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Circo Loco"
Chart (2023) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[35] 37
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[36] 34

Release history

Release history for "Circo Loco"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Italy November 11, 2022 Contemporary hit radio [1]

References

  1. ^ a b "DRAKE "Circo Loco" | (Radio Date: November 11, 2022)" (in Italian). EarOne. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Coleman II, C. Vernon (November 4, 2022). "Drake, 21 Savage 'Circo Loco' Lyrics". XXL. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Reeves, Mosi (November 6, 2022). "'Her Loss' Is A Misfire That Drake Will Hopefully Learn From". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  4. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (November 5, 2022). "The Drake and Megan Thee Stallion "Circo Loco" Lyric Controversy, Explained". Complex. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  5. ^ Attard, Paul (November 8, 2022). "Drake & 21 Savage Her Loss Review: A Lopsided Side Project". Slant Magazine. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Gunn, Tamantha (November 4, 2022). "Megan Thee Stallion Slams Drake Over Apparent "Circo Loco" Song Diss". E!. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  7. ^ D'Zurilla, Christie (November 4, 2022). "Upset by lyrics, Megan Thee Stallion tells Drake, 'Stop using my shooting for clout'". Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Sanders, James R. (November 4, 2022). "'Her Loss' Contributor Lil Yachty Says Drake's "Circo Loco" Line Is Not About Megan Thee Stallion". Complex. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Begert, Blanca; Coscarelli, Joe; Morino, Douglas (2022-12-23). "Rapper Tory Lanez Guilty in Shooting of Megan Thee Stallion". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  10. ^ Swhear, Alex (November 4, 2022). "Drake Rediscovers His Sense of Play, With Strategic Assists From 21 Savage, in 'Her Loss': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  11. ^ Shorter, Marcus (November 4, 2022). "Her Loss Delivers on the Musical Promise of Drake and 21 Savage's Personal Relationship". Consequence. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  12. ^ Ritchie, Matthew (November 7, 2022). "Drake & 21 Savage 'Her Loss' Leaves You Wanting More". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  13. ^ Thompson, Paul A. (November 8, 2022). "Drake / 21 Savage: Her Loss Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  14. ^ Svetz, Josh (November 9, 2022). "Drake Sidelines 21 Savage on the Underwhelming Her Loss". Paste. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  15. ^ "Drake & 21 Savage – Circo Loco". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  16. ^ "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  17. ^ "Drake & 21 Savage – Circo Loco" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  18. ^ "Drake Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  19. ^ "Digital Singles Chart (International)". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
  20. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  22. ^ "Drake & 21 Savage – Circo Loco". Top Digital Download. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  23. ^ "2022 45-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  24. ^ "Drake Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  25. ^ "Drake & 21 Savage – Circo Loco". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  26. ^ "Drake & 21 Savage – Circo Loco". VG-lista. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  27. ^ "Drake & 21 Savage – Circo Loco". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  28. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 45-2022". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  29. ^ "Drake & 21 Savage – Circo Loco". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  30. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  31. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  32. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  33. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  34. ^ "Drake Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  35. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  36. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Drake songs
So Far Gone (Mixtape / EP)
We Are Young Money
Thank Me Later
Take Care
Nothing Was the SameIf You're Reading This It's Too Late
  • "Energy"
  • "Preach"
What a Time to Be Alive
  • "Jumpman"
ViewsMore Life
Scary Hours / Scorpion
Care PackageDark Lane Demo Tapes
Scary Hours 2Certified Lover BoyHonestly, Nevermind
Her Loss
For All the Dogs / Scary Hours Edition
Other songs
As featured artist
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
  • "Odio"
  • "Who Do You Love?"
  • "Trophies"
  • "Believe Me"
  • "Recognize"
  • "Tuesday"
  • "Only"
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
  • "Act II: Date @ 8"
  • v
  • t
  • e
Studio albums
Collaborative studio albums
EPs
Singles
Featured singles
Other songs
Related articles