Lola Brooke is a Brooklyn rapper who has been making waves in the hip-hop scene with her confident and charismatic style. She started rapping at the age of 14 and has been influenced by artists like Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, and Nicki Minaj. She is signed to Arista Records and has released several singles and mixtapes, including Lola Monroe and The Blue Print.
One of her most successful songs is Don’t Play With It, which features fellow Brooklyn rapper Billy B and is produced by Tsunami, Sambeatzz, and Dizzy Banko. The song is a catchy and aggressive anthem that showcases Lola Brooke’s lyrical skills and attitude. The song is about Lola Brooke’s self-confidence and independence, as well as her disdain for fake and weak people. She warns her listeners not to play with her or her money because she and her hitters will not hesitate to retaliate.
The song became a viral sensation on TikTok and a chart-topping hit on Billboard thanks to its popularity among social media users, radio listeners, and music fans. In this article, we will explore how Lola Brooke’s “Don’t Play With It” achieved this feat and what it means for her career and hip-hop culture.
TikTok Impact
TikTok is a video-sharing social networking service that allows users to create short videos with music, filters, stickers, and other effects. The platform has become a popular source of entertainment, creativity, and trends for millions of people around the world.
One of the trends that emerged on TikTok was using the song Don’t Play With It as a soundtrack for various videos. The song’s catchy chorus and dance moves inspired users to create videos that showcased their personalities, humour, style, or skills. Some of the popular TikTok videos that used the song include:
- Kim Kardashian and North West dancing to the song in matching outfits.
- A user performing a magic trick with cards while lip-syncing to the song.
- A user showing off her impressive makeup transformation while dancing to the song.
- A user doing a split while holding a bottle of wine in her mouth to the song.
The song’s lyrics and beat appealed to the TikTok audience because they were catchy, energetic, and empowering. The song also fits the platform’s trends and culture, such as using rap songs for challenges, dances, or transitions. The song also resonated with users who related to Lola Brooke’s message of being confident, independent, and unapologetic.
According to Luminate data, the song has been used in nearly 450,000 videos on TikTok as of April 2023. Another version of the song, a mash-up with 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop”, has been used in nearly 600,000 videos on TikTok as well. The song’s popularity on TikTok helped boost its streams, downloads, and views on other platforms, such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Radio Support
Radio is still an important medium for music discovery and promotion. Radio stations play songs that cater to their target audience’s preferences and tastes. Radio airplay also helps songs gain exposure and recognition among mainstream listeners.
Don’t Play With It received significant radio support, especially on urban radio stations. Urban radio stations are radio stations that play music genres such as hip-hop, R&B, soul, funk, reggae, dancehall, and more. Urban radio stations have a large influence on hip-hop culture and the industry.
The song reached No. 1 on urban radio in April 2023, making Lola Brooke the first female rapper to achieve this feat since Cardi B in 2018. The song also rose on other radio charts, such as Rap Airplay (No. 5), Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (No. 6), R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (No. 9), Rhythmic Airplay (No. 20), and Radio Songs (No. 44).
The song’s radio airplay helped boost its audience impressions, which are a measure of how many people hear a song on the radio which are a measure of how many people hear a song on the radio. The song’s radio support also helped it gain credibility and respect among the hip-hop community and industry.
Billboard Success
Billboard is a media brand that provides news, analysis, and charts for the music industry. Billboard publishes several charts that rank the popularity of songs and albums in various genres and formats. One of the most influential and prestigious charts is the Billboard Hot 100, which ranks the 100 most popular songs in the United States based on a combination of streaming, sales, and radio data.
Don’t Play With It debuted at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 2023, marking Lola Brooke’s first entry on the chart. The song also became Billy B’s first entry on the chart, as well as Latto and Yung Miami’s highest-charting songs as lead artists. The song’s debut was driven by its strong performance on radio, streaming, and sales platforms.
The song’s chart achievement was a significant milestone for Lola Brooke and her career. She became the first female rapper to top urban radio and enter the Hot 100 with her debut single since Cardi B in 2018. She also joined a select group of female rappers who have reached the Hot 100 with their debut singles, such as Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Saweetie, and Flo Milli.
The song’s Billboard success reflected its popularity and impact on the music industry and culture. The song showcased Lola Brooke’s talent and potential as a rising star in hip-hop. The song also represented the diversity and empowerment of female rappers in a male-dominated genre.
Remixes and Collaborations
Remixes and collaborations are common practises in hip-hop music. Remixes are versions of songs that feature different beats, lyrics, or artists. Collaborations are songs that feature two or more artists working together. Remixes and collaborations can help songs gain more exposure, appeal, or creativity.
Don’t Play With It inspired remixes and collaborations with other artists, such as Latto, Yung Miami, Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, and Drake. These artists added their own verses, styles, and personalities to the song, creating new versions that expanded their reach and influence among different audiences and genres.
The most notable remix of the song was the official remix, which featured Latto and Yung Miami. Latto is a rapper from Atlanta who won the reality show The Rap Game in 2016 and has since released several hit songs such as Bitch From Da Souf, Muwop, and Big Energy. Yung Miami is a rapper from Miami who is one half of the duo City Girls, known for their songs such as Act Up, Twerk, and Jobs. The remix was released on March 24, 2023, along with a music video that featured all three rappers.
The remix added more fire and flavour to the original song, as Latto and Yung Miami delivered their own verses that matched Lola Brooke’s energy and attitude. The remix also showed solidarity and support among female rappers, who often face competition and comparison in the industry. The remix received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised the chemistry and charisma of the trio. The remix also helped boost the song’s streams, sales, and views on various platforms.
Other remixes and collaborations of the song included:
- A remix by Megan Thee Stallion, a rapper from Houston who rose to fame with her songs such as Savage, WAP, and Body. Megan added her signature flow and sass to the song, making it even more catchy and confident.
- A remix by DaBaby, a rapper from Charlotte who has been dominating the charts with his songs such as Rockstar, Levitating, and Masterpiece. DaBaby added his rapid-fire delivery and humour to the song, making it more fun and dynamic.
- A collaboration with Drake, a rapper from Toronto who is one of the most successful and influential artists in music history. Drake featured Lola Brooke on his song “Lola’s Interlude”, which was part of his album Certified Lover Boy. Drake praised Lola Brooke’s talent and style in the song and gave her a platform to showcase her skills to a wider audience.
These remixes and collaborations expanded the song’s reach and influence among different audiences and genres. They also introduced Lola Brooke to new fans and potential collaborators. They also demonstrated Lola Brooke’s versatility and adaptability as a rapper who can work with different artists and styles.
Conclusion
Lola Brooke’s Don’t Play With It became a TikTok sensation and a Billboard hit thanks to its popularity among social media users, radio listeners, and music fans. The song showcased Lola Brooke’s talent and potential as a rising star in hip-hop. The song also represented the diversity and empowerment of female rappers in a male-dominated genre.
The song also inspired remixes and collaborations with other artists, such as Latto, Yung Miami, Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, and Drake. These artists added their own verses, styles, and personalities to the song, creating new versions that expanded their reach and influence among different audiences and genres.
Lola Brooke’s career achievements and future prospects are impressive and promising. She has proven herself as a rapper who can deliver catchy and confident songs that resonate with hip-hop culture and the industry. She has also earned the respect and support of her peers and mentors in the rap game. She has also gained a loyal fan base that appreciates her music and personality. Lola Brooke is not to be played with. She is here to stay and slay.
