Traktor (song)
| "Traktor" | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||||||||
| Single by Wretch 32 featuring L Marshall | ||||||||||
| from the album Black and White | ||||||||||
| Released | 16 January 2011 | |||||||||
| Format | Digital Download | |||||||||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||||||||
| Genre | ||||||||||
| Length | 3:38 | |||||||||
| Label | Ministry of Sound | |||||||||
| Writer(s) |
| |||||||||
| Producer(s) | Yogi | |||||||||
| Wretch 32 singles chronology | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
"Traktor" is a song by Tottenham-born rapper Wretch 32, featuring vocals from British singer L Marshall (credited as "L" on the release).[1] It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Black and White, on 16 January 2011. A 12" vinyl was released the following day. On 23 January 2011 the single debuted at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart;[2] also managing to reach number 2 on both the R&B chart and the independent releases chart.[3][4] The song title refers to Traktor, the Native Instruments DJ software of the same name.
"Traktor" was selected by Reggie Yates as The Weekend Anthem on BBC Radio 1 for 18 – 19 December 2010.[5]
Background
Speaking to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Assistant Editor of Blues & Soul - in December 2010 Wretch stated: "'Traktor' is actually about a dad talking to his child. Like on the intro the dad is saying 'Hey, go get a job' and basically telling his son to get outta the house. Then the chorus is actually the son explaining what's going on in his life. Like he's quit school; he hasn't got a job yet; his girl's upset 'cause she's pregnant and - though his daughter's on the way - he keeps on clubbing and raving... But yet through it all he knows that he rides the beat like a TRACTOR - that he's a great RAPPER! You know, though everything is so wild in his life he literally does know that he has got a talent and he wants to stick with it... So yeah, it's basically all about having a gift and taking a risk with the music and BELIEVING in it. Which is pretty much how it is for ME!" [6]
Critical reception
Nick Levine of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating: "Though he sounds like a mere number from the Dickensian workhouse, there's nothing anonymous about this debut single."[7]
Chart performance
"Traktor" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 23 January 2011 at number 5;[2] marking the week's third highest new entry behind Diddy-Dirty Money and Adele. The following week, the single fell two places to number 7; falling out of the top ten to number 12 on 6 February. The single spent a total of six weeks within the top 40, falling to number 44 on its seventh week on 6 March. The single also debuted at number 2 on the R&B singles chart[3] behind Diddy-Dirty Money and Skylar Grey's "Coming Home" and at number two on the independent releases chart[4] behind Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". The single also debuted in Ireland and Scotland at number 45 on 28 January[8]
Music video
A music video to accompany the release of the single "Traktor" was first released on YouTube on 9 November 2010, directed by Ben Newman. The video lasts 3 minutes and 47 seconds long. The video opens with the digits '32' forming out of ice; before the song begins, in which Wretch 32, L and FKA Twigs are all show in between the flashing of lights. The video takes place in an underground and empty car park and features Wretch 32 and L performing alongside with the song, while FKA Twigs mimics the song by playing the drums; also dancing. Rapper Chipmunk makes a cameo appearance at the end of the video.[9]
Track listing
| Digital download | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Traktor" (Radio Edit - Clean) | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Traktor" (Dawood & Preston Remix - Clean) | 4:04 |
| 3. | "Traktor" (Brookes Brothers Remix - Clean) | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Remix - Clean) | 4:42 |
| 5. | "Traktor" (Friction Remix - Clean) | 4:38 |
| 6. | "Traktor" (Explicit Edit) | 3:37 |
| 7. | "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Go Harder Dub - Clean) | 4:42 |
| CD Single [10] | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Traktor" (Radio Edit) | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Traktor" (Dawood & Preston Remix) | 4:04 |
| 3. | "Traktor" (Brookes Brothers Remix) | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Remix) | 4:42 |
| 5. | "Traktor" (Friction Remix) | 4:38 |
| 6. | "Traktor" (Explicit Edit) | 3:37 |
| 7. | "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Go Harder Dub) | 4:42 |
| 8. | "Traktor" (Instrumental Edit) | 3:38 |
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 45 |
| Scotland (Official Charts Company)[11] | 8 |
| UK Indie (Official Charts Company)[4] | 2 |
| UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[3] | 2 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[2] | 5 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland[12] | 16 January 2011 | Digital Download |
| United Kingdom[13] | 16 January 2011 | |
| 17 January 2011 | Vinyl |
References
- ↑ L Marshall Music
- 1 2 3 "Archive Chart: 2011-01-29" UK Singles Chart.
- 1 2 3 "Archive Chart: 2011-01-29" UK R&B Chart.
- 1 2 3 "Archive Chart: 2011-01-29" UK Indie Chart.
- ↑ BBC Radio 1 - Switch - 20 December 2010 - Tracklisting, Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ↑ Stephen Clark - Design. "Wretch 32: Ploughing on through". bluesandsoul.com.
- ↑ Music – Singles Review – Wretch 32: 'Traktor'. Digital Spy (2011-01-16). Retrieved on 2011-01-23.
- 1 2 "Chart Track: Week 04, 2011". Irish Singles Chart.
- ↑ Wretch 32 - Traktor - Music Video, YouTube, Retrieved 2010-11-09.
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Wretch-32-Traktor/release/2709913
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-01-29". Scottish Singles Top 40.
- ↑ "iTunes - Music - Traktor (Remixes) [feat. L] by Wretch 32". iTunes.
- ↑ "iTunes - Music - Traktor (Remixes) [feat. L] by Wretch 32". iTunes.