Paranoid (Ty Dolla Sign song)
"Paranoid" is a song by American singer Ty Dolla $ign featuring American rapper B.o.B, released on September 10, 2013 as the first single from the former's debut EP, Beach House EP (2014). Written by the artists alongside producer DJ Mustard, "Paranoid" is a hip hop song that lyrically describes being in fear of getting caught cheating.
"Paranoid"
September 10, 2013
2013
3:36
Pushaz Ink
"Paranoid" received overall favorable reviews from music critics. The song peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. An accompanying music video premiered through Revolt and YouTube on October 22, 2013 that features both Ty and B.o.B being tortured by their girlfriends.
Release[edit]
The song premiered on Rap Radar on August 28, 2013, where it was announced that it would be released as a single on September 10, 2013.[7] As promised, on September 10, 2013, the song was released for digital download as the first single from Ty's debut EP Beach House EP on Amazon.com.[8]
On December 15, 2013, Ty performed the song during Power 106's Cali Christmas and was backed by DJ Mustard on the turntables as he performed.[9] On December 17, 2013, Ty performed the song for the first time on national television on DJ Skee's Skee Live via AXS TV.[10] He was accompanied by Joe Moses who performed his verse on the studio version of the song.[11] On January 27, 2014, Ty performed "Paranoid" along with DJ Mustard on The Arsenio Hall Show.[12] Then on March 15, 2014, Ty performed the song during Taylor Gang's set at SXSW.[13] On March 21, 2014, Ty performed "Paranoid" accompanied by The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[14]
The song's official remix was also featured on the Beach House EP. It featured new guest appearances by Trey Songz, French Montana and DJ Mustard.[15] On January 13, 2014, the remix premiered via SoundCloud and on the following day, it was released to iTunes.[16] The remix was serviced to mainstream urban radio in the United States on February 12, 2014.[17]
Critical reception[edit]
"Paranoid" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Vibe referred to the song as Ty's introduction to the masses and said he "has a hit on his hands."[18] Christopher Weingarten of Rolling Stone said, it features "frank lines delivered with Casanova charm and a thin layer of computer love."[19] Matt Aceto of HotNewHipHop called it one of the better songs on the tape, giving credit to the chorus and Joe Moses' verse.[20] Chris Jenkins of Pitchfork praised Joe Moses' verse on the original song, but he called B.o.B's a "tryhard verse." Overall, he said the song's economy is its greatest strength.[21] Grant Jones of RapReviews credited Trey Songz for upstaging Ty and called French Montana's verse on the remix "entertaining" but found Ty's performance on the song to be "an age-old example of limited ability."[22] In February 2014, Complex named it the fourth best song that DJ Mustard had produced.[23]
Chart performance[edit]
"Paranoid" debuted at number 97 on US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of January 4, 2014. Ten weeks later, it peaked at number 29 and spent a total of twenty weeks on the chart.[24] It peaked at number nine on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[25] On October 9, 2018, the single was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for combined sales and streaming equivalent units of over two million units in the United States.[26]