23 (Mike Will Made It song)
"23" is a song by American record producer Mike Will Made It featuring American singer Miley Cyrus and American rappers Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J; released on September 10, 2013 by Interscope Records. The song was written by Mike Will Made It alongside the rappers, Pierre Ramon Slaughter, and Rock City. "23", which is a hip hop song, is set to a midtempo beat and lyrically references Air Jordan sneakers and recreational drug use.
| "23" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Mike Will Made It featuring Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J | ||||
| Released | September 10, 2013 | |||
| Studio | June 2012 - April 2013 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 4:12 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Mike Will Made It | |||
| Mike Will Made It singles chronology | ||||
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| Miley Cyrus singles chronology | ||||
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| Wiz Khalifa singles chronology | ||||
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| Juicy J singles chronology | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "23" on YouTube | ||||
"23" received generally mixed reviews from music critics, who were ambivalent towards its production and Cyrus' rapping ability. It peaked at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and charted moderately internationally. An accompanying music video was filmed in Brooklyn on August 26, 2013, and premiered through Vevo on September 24, 2013. Cyrus performed the song during the first and second leg of her Bangerz Tour.
Production and composition
During the production of "23", Mike Will Made It prepared a verse for himself to rap, which he originally planned to include alongside verses by Juicy J and Wiz Khalifa. However, after the latter two finished their respective recordings, Mike Will Made It decided that his contribution should be replaced by a woman. Mike Will Made It had recently finished producing Miley Cyrus' track "We Can't Stop" for her fourth studio album Bangerz (2013) when she first heard "23" and expressed interest in being included on the track. Mike Will Made It was initially hesitant of her suggestion, having met her earlier that day, although he "left her on there" after "she laid down the verse [and] killed it."[3]
"23" is a synth-driven hip hop song set to a midtempo beat and a "bass-heavy"[4] arrangement. It is distinguished in Cyrus' catalog as the first track in which she raps.[5] In the chorus, Cyrus mentions recreational drug use, particularly in the line "I’m in the club high off purp with some shades on".[6] The track later transitions into the repeated hook "J's on my feet" delivered by Juicy J, which references Air Jordan sneakers.[7]
Critical reception
In a favorable review, Mike Wass of Idolator was complimentary of Mike Will Made It's "slick, multi-layered production" and was indifferent towards Cyrus' contributions.[8] Sharing a similar sentiment, a writer for That Grape Juice stated that the artists "[gave] fans just what they want", adding that they "[went] along to make the jam the smash that it is."[9] Complex ranked "23" at number 23 on their list of the 50 best songs of 2013, saying that Mike Will Made It knew that Miley would make this collaboration even better.[10] However, in a more mixed review, Danielle Cheesman of MSN opined that "the song sounds like everything else Mike WiLL's touched and turned to gold so it will be a smash but, much to Miley's chagrin, it won't be because of her", and criticized Cyrus' verses for "[stealing 2 Chainz's] whole flow."[11] Tony Maglio from The Wrap also questioned her lyrical content, specifically criticizing the lyrics "I back it up, cause I don’t give a fuck" and "I’m MC Hammer fly."[12] Jordan Sargent from Spin called the track "far from Mike Will's best work" and negatively compared Cyrus' delivery to that of Lil Debbie.[6]
Commercial performance
In the United States, "23" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 70,[13] and later peaked at number 11.[14] It additionally peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs component chart.[15]
Elsewhere in North America, the track reached number 26 on the Canadian Hot 100.[16] In Europe, "23" respectively peaked at numbers 19 and 85 on the UK Singles Chart and the UK R&B Chart, both of which are organized by the Official Charts Company.[17][18] The track respectively peaked at numbers 27 and 1 on the Ultratip component charts in Flanders and Wallonia, representing the fifty songs that failed to reach the flagship Ultratop chart in each Belgian region.[19] It also peaked at number 30 on the French Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique, and number 44 on the Spanish Productores de Música de España.[19] In Oceania, "23" reached number 39 on the Australian ARIA Charts and number 22 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart.[19]
Music video
An accompanying music video for "23" was filmed at Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School in Brooklyn on August 26, 2013;[20] it was directed by Hannah Lux Davis.[21] An advertisement for a casting call posted to Juicy J's Instagram account requested "edgy, rebellious, sexy, [and] hood types" to appear as extras in the clip, and further stated that individuals "must wear [their] favorite pair of Jordans".[20]
The music video was premiered through Vevo on September 24.[22] The music video takes place in a high school; it begins with the school principal leaving his office, which Mike Will Made It enters and begins playing "23" on a Beats Pill over the intercom. Interspersed throughout are scenes of Cyrus wearing a bikini similar to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls basketball jersey; she is frequently shown smoking in the bathroom and writing on its mirrors with red lipstick. Khalifa raps his verse in a chemistry lab, while Juicy J's verse is rapped in a trophy room.[23] A school-wide pep rally later takes place, where Cyrus is gyrating against Mike Will Made It and notably wearing the foam finger used in her controversial performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in August.[22] Cash Money rappers Birdman and Mack Maine make cameos.
Critics were divided in their opinions for the music video. In a more favorable review, Zayda Rivera of Daily News stated that Cyrus is "undoubtedly the star of the video" and that the "ultimate cameo takes place when Cyrus brings back the infamous foam finger she waved and gyrated against during her MTV Video Music Awards performance".[24] Ray Rahman from Entertainment Weekly recognized the prominent 1990s influence throughout the clip, and felt it was "reminiscent" to the visuals for "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" by Master P.[25] In a more critical review, Carl Williott of Idolator opined that the music video was "sort of like a massive hip-hop version of the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video, with Air Jordans and Beats instead of anarchy symbols",[26] while Kayla Upadhyaya from The Michigan Daily called it a "pile of red and black vomit and a poorly edited mishmash of uninspired shots".[27]
Live performances
Cyrus performed the song during the first and second legs of her Bangerz Tour. During the third leg of the tour, "23" was replaced with The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". During the performance, Cyrus wore black-and-red Jordan 1s, a striped fishnet bikini and crotchless leather chaps with "Miley" scrawled down the side, through which she paid homage to Christina Aguilera's "Dirrty" music video.[28] Aguilera herself approved of the outfit and named Cyrus her dirrty girl successor, writing, "Cheers from one dirrty girl to the next @MileyCyrus...wear em' loud & proud, girl- yes!!" on her Twitter account.[29] Jane Stevenson of the Toronto Sun praised the performance and wrote that it saw Cyrus finally twerk it out with her dancers.[30]
Charts
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[51] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000 |
| Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Americas | September 10, 2013 | Digital download | Interscope | [52] |
| Various | September 13, 2013 | [53] | ||
| United States | September 17, 2013 | Rhythmic contemporary | [54] |
References
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, & Juicy J - 23". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "BMI | Songview Search".
- ^ Jocelyn Vena (August 7, 2013). "Miley Cyrus Put 'Fresh' Twist On '23,' Says Mike Will Made It". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
- ^ Lucas Villa. . AXS. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ Chris Payne (September 10, 2013). "Miley Cyrus Tests Her Rapping Skills On Mike Will Made It's '23': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ a b Jordan Sargent (September 10, 2013). "Miley Cyrus Raps Explicitly About Drugs on Mike Will Made It's Middling '23'". Spin. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
- ^ Dharmic X (September 10, 2013). "Mike WiLL Made It – '23′ (Feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, & Juicy J)". The Boom Box. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ Mike Wass (September 9, 2013). "Miley Cyrus Makes Her Rap Debut On Mike WiLL Made It's "23": Listen To The Full Song". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
- ^ "New Song: Mike Will Made It – '23 (Ft Miley Cyrus, Juicy J & Wiz Khalifa)'". That Grape Juice. September 10, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ Ahmed, Insanul; et al. (2013-12-02). "The Best 50 Songs of 2013". Complex Music. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- ^ Danielle Cheesman (September 10, 2013). . MSN. Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-01-01. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ Tony Maglio (September 10, 2013). "Miley Cyrus Rap Song Touts Drug Use, Michael Jordan, MC Hammer (Audio)". The Wrap. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "The Hot 100". Billboard. September 28, 2013. from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ "Juicy J - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Juicy J - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ a b "2013-10-26 Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive". Official Charts Company. October 26, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "2013-10-19 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Mike Will Made It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, & Juicy J". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ a b Dharmic X (August 25, 2013). "Here's a Casting Call For Mike WiLL Made It's "23" Video Shoot Possibly Featuring Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It Goes Back to High School with Miley Cyrus in '23' Video". Rap-Up. September 20, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ a b Tom Eames (September 24, 2013). "Miley Cyrus resurrects VMAs foam finger, tongue in '23' video - watch". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ "23 (Explicit)". YouTube. Google. September 24, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ Zayda Rivera (September 24, 2013). "Miley Cyrus raps, wears Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls jersey as a bikini in Mike WiLL Made It's music video '23'". Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ Ray Rahman (September 24, 2013). "Miley Cyrus goes wild at school in Mike Will Made It's '23' video: Watch it here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ Carl Williott (September 24, 2013). "Miley Cyrus Is All Class With Mike WiLL Made It, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J In School-Themed "23" Video". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ Kayla Upadhyaya (September 26, 2013). "Music Video Review: Mike WiLL makes Michael Jordan lame". The Michigan Daily. University of Michigan. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- ^ Wilson, Gaby (February 18, 2014). "Miley Cyrus Kicks Off Bangerz Tour With Flurry Of Performance Outfits". MTV. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Greenwood, Carl (February 23, 2014). "Christina Aguilera crowns Miley Cyrus as her dirrty girl successor". Daily Mirror. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Stevenson, Jane (March 31, 2014). "Miley Cyrus brings Bangerz fun to Toronto". Toronto Sun. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J – 23". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ a b "Mike Will Made-It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J – 23" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J – 23" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "03.03.14 - 09.03.14 - IFPI at bamp-br.org" Airplay Top 5. Bulgarian Association of Music Producers. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J – 23" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J – 23". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J – 23" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Will Made-It Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ^ "End Of Year Charts - Top 50 Urban Singles 2013". ARIA. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
- ^ "Ultratop Belgian Flanders Year-end Charts". Ultratop.be/nl Hung Medien. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "2013 Year End Charts — R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Year End Charts — Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2014" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – Mike Will Made-It – 23". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ "23 (feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J) - Single". iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc. September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "23 (feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J) - Single". iTunes Store (AU). Apple Inc. September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ . FMQB. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2013.