"Dead Man Walking" is a song by American singer Brent Faiyaz. It was released on September 18, 2020 through Lost Kids, Venice Music, and Stem Disintermedia as the lead single from his sophomore studio album Wasteland (2022). The song was written by Faiyaz alongside its co-producers, Lil Rece, Dpat, and Jordan Ware. The lyrics are centered on living carefree while also displaying a philosophy of Faiyaz's life.
Upon its release, "Dead Man Walking" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Commercially, it would claim a top ten placement among multiple charts including the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100. It would peak at number 43 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and receive a 3× platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). While also placing within the top twenty in markets such as the United Kingdom.
Background and composition
In 2020, Faiyaz released his fourth extended play (EP) Fuck The World, and started working on material for a new album.[1][2] "Dead Man Walking" would release through Lost Kids, Venice Music, and Stem Disintermedia as the lead single from his sophomore studio album Wasteland (2022).[3] It is an R&B and soul song with a duration of about 4 minutes and 8 seconds.[4] The song was written by Faiyaz alongside its record producers Lil Rece, Dpat, and Jordan Ware.[3][5]Pitchfork's Dani Blud wrote "the hazy thrill" of the song "shoves the listener back into the overwrought narrative before any of the hits can metabolize and "seemed to offer a more elegant, elevated posture for the guy who branded himself a “walking erection”.[6] Its lyrics are about living life carefree.[5] It would later gain virality on the social media platform TikTok, propelling Faiyaz's career even further.[2][6] He later performed the song at the a concert held in the New Frontier Theater in Manila, Philippines.[7] In an interview with Business Insider, Faiyaz would state: "While I'm here and I'm making music and I'm working on music in the midst of all this shit going on, let me make a record about making music in the midst of all this shit going on."[8]
Critical reception
Clash's Robin Murray wrote that the song "find[s] Brent daring to pull down the curtain of hype that surrounds him, and let fans see a little extra from his world".[9] Writing for Pitchfork, Dani Blud described it as a track which "distilled a fledgling philosophy for the next quarter of his life".[6] Andy Kellman of AllMusic felt the song "uncoils as a stamping, swirling reflection on submitting to temptation."[10] While Kalen Murphy writing for Earmilk wrote "The high-end production paired with Faiyaz's euphoric voice gives the track the same effortless swagger he delivers his verses with."[11]
Live performances
Faiyaz performed "Dead Man Walking" at his Eventim Apollo concert in London.[12] Which would later be streamed as an hour long Apple Music exclusive on November 29, 2023.[13][14] Faiyaz would express in a press release: "We had a time on the road. Thank you Apple Music for allowing me to bring the F–k the World It's a Wasteland Tour experience to millions. Hope you enjoy the show."[12]
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