"Pussy" is a song by American rapper Latto. It was released on July 15, 2022, through Streamcut Media and RCA Records.
| "Pussy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Latto | ||||
| Released | July 15, 2022 | |||
| Length | 2:21 | |||
| Label |
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| Composer(s) |
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| Lyricist(s) | Alyssa Stephens | |||
| Producer(s) | Johnny Goldstein | |||
| Latto singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Pussy" on YouTube | ||||
Background and release
edit
BIG LATTO 🎰 @Latto
I actually am donating proceeds.. Yall be the same ones saying “why u gotta post everything” if I do & assume I’m not doing it if I don’t post it lol however I AM using my power (platform) to make a change regardless shut yo fake woke ass up what are YOU doing???
July 13, 2022[1]
In March 2022, Latto released her second album 777. She announced the upcoming release of "Pussy" on July 13, through Twitter, revealing that the song would be released two days later, on Friday.[2] Shortly after Latto announced "Pussy", Latto defended herself in response to tweets claiming she was taking advantage of the overturning of Roe v. Wade to further her career. TMZ sarcastically commented that, "apparently, a rapper speaking on social... issues is... a wild concept for some people".[3] A portion of the song's proceeds are to be donated to Planned Parenthood, an organization which seeks to uphold abortion rights.[2]
Cover art
editThe cover artwork for "Pussy" shows hot, pink lava spewing from a vagina, which forms the song title in a stylized typeface, behind the White House building.[3] It was designed by Katie McIntyre who said that the "cover is all about the rise of the collective feminine against opposing forces".[4]
Composition
edit"Pussy" samples the 1968 song "Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do" by R&B singer Betty Wright, who died in 2020.[3][5] "Pussy" has been described as a "protest song", a "female-empowering anthem", "defiant", and a "diss track".[4][6][7][8] In the song, Latto derides misogynists. In its first verse, she questions men who "try to police" abortion around the world.[9] She also speaks about double standards that women face when embracing their sexuality.[7]
Critical reception
editAshley Pointer of NPR wrote that Latto's "bars cut through sharper than a sword".[5]
The Musical Hype gave the song 4 out of 5 stars. He wrote that the song is a "winner" even if it is profane.[10]
Music video
editThe music video for "Pussy" was directed by Sara Lacombe and includes clips from protests relating to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.[3] In other parts of the music video, Latto raps the lyrics to the song while surrounded by cats.[2] Lacombe stated that "this video is symbolic that we can be both hard (her lyrics) and soft (the world we placed her in) at the same time."[4]
Dora Segall of Spin called the video "excellent" and "unexpectedly adorable".[6]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | BET Hip Hop Awards | Impact Track | Nominated | [11] |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Video for Good | Nominated | [12] | |
| MTV Video Music Awards | Video for Good | Nominated | [13] |
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Spotify.[14]
- Alyssa Stephens – performer, songwriter
- Johnny Goldstein – producer, songwriter
- Clarence Henry Reid – songwriter
- Willie Clark – songwriter
References
edit- ^ BIG LATTO 🎰 [@Latto] (July 13, 2022). "I actually am donating proceeds.. Yall be the same ones saying "why u gotta post everything" if I do & assume I'm not doing it if I don't post it lol however I AM using my power (platform) to make a change regardless shut yo fake woke ass up what are YOU doing???" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "Latto Releases "P*ssy" Single and Video, Claps Back at Critics Claiming She's Capitalizing on Roe v. Wade Fallout". Complex. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ a b c d "Latto Drops SCOTUS Diss Track, 'P***Y' After Roe v. Wade Overturn". TMZ. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ a b c Sacher, Andrew (15 July 2022). "Latto protests Roe v. Wade overturning with new song and video, "Pussy"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ a b Pointer, Ashley (2022-07-15). "Latto, 'P****'". NPR. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ a b "Latto Goes Full Cat Lady in Excellent New Video For 'Pussy'". SPIN. 2022-07-15. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ a b Bouza, Kat (2022-07-15). "'My Ovaries Ain't for You to Bully': Latto Puts Misogynists on Blast With 'Pussy'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ "Latto To Haters Of New Female Anthem 'P*ssy,' 'My Ovaries Ain't For You To Bully!". BET. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ Richards, Will (2022-07-15). "Latto addresses misogyny and double standards on new song 'Pussy'". NME. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
- ^ "Latto, "P—y" / Track Review 🎵". The Musical Hype. July 18, 2022.
- ^ "BET Hip Hop Awards 2022: Full Winners List". Pitchfork. 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- ^ "MTV Europe Music Awards 2022 — Nominees". MTV. 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
- ^ "MTV VMAs 2022 Nominees Announced: See the Full List Here". MTV. 2022-07-26. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "Pussy" by Latto, Spotify. To see the song's credits, click on "options" (three vertical dots) and select "Show credits".