Beat the Odds (song)
| "Beat the Odds" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Lil Tjay | ||||
| Released | August 26, 2022 | |||
| Length | 2:30 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Lil Tjay singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Beat the Odds" on YouTube | ||||
"Beat the Odds" is a song by American rapper Lil Tjay, released on August 26, 2022 with an accompanying music video. It was produced by Desirez beats, KBeaZy and KXVI. The song sees Tjay addressing his shooting in June 2022. On July 14, 2023, a remix titled "Beat the Odds Pt 2" was released as part of Lil Tjay's third studio album 222, and features frequent collaborator Polo G.
Background[edit]
On June 22, 2022, Lil Tjay was shot multiple times (7 times) during an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. On August 24, he provided an update on his health since his hospitalization in June in a video on Instagram and announced new music. "Beat the Odds" was then released two days later.[1][2]
Composition[edit]
The song has been described as a "florid, melodic track".[3] Lyrically, Lil Tjay recounts his experience of the shooting incident and his recovery, as well as other hard times in his life,[4][5] especially reflecting on violence-related memories and also being motivated in life by his family.[6]
Music video[edit]
A music video for the song was directed by Lil Tjay himself. It opens with audio of 911 calls from the day of the shooting, before showing Tjay laying down and wearing an oxygen mask. The clip features footage of him recovering, writing and recording the song,[3][5][7] and being visited by family and friends.[8][9] He later leaves the hospital in a wheelchair, and is seen in a church expressing gratitude for his survival before returning to the studio.[3][9]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[10] | 72 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] | 27 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[12] | 64 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[13] | 80 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[14] | 4 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[15] | 1 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[16] | 41 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[17] | 36 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] | 12 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard)[19] | 17 |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[20] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history[edit]
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | August 26, 2022 | Columbia | ||
| United States | September 6, 2022 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [21] | |
| Urban contemporary radio | [22] |
References[edit]
- ^ Price, Joe (August 26, 2022). "Lil Tjay Releases Video for First Post-Shooting Track "Beat the Odds"". Complex. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ Kelly, Dylan (August 27, 2022). "Lil Tjay Drops New Track "Beat The Odds" Following Near-Fatal Shooting". Hypebeast. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c Breihan, Tom (August 26, 2022). "Lil Tjay Addresses His Shooting On New Single "Beat The Odds"". Stereogum. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ Devin (August 25, 2022). "Lil Tjay Drops New Single 'Beat The Odds' After Surviving Shooting". Rap-Up. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (August 26, 2022). "Lil Tjay Chronicles His Grueling Return From Near-Death Shooting on 'Beat the Odds'". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ Cho, Regina (August 26, 2022). "Lil Tjay vents about how he "Beat The Odds" in new track". Revolt. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (August 26, 2022). "Lil Tjay Shares Video for New Song "Beat the Odds": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ Grant, Shawn (August 26, 2022). "Lil Tjay Releases New Song and Video "Beat The Odds" Detailing Recovering from Shooting". The Source. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ a b Gonzalez, Alex (August 26, 2022). "Lil Tjay Proves He 'Beat The Odds' Following A Shooting This Past June". Uproxx. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 5 September 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1696. Australian Recording Industry Association. September 5, 2022. p. 4.
- ^ "Lil Tjay Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Tjay Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "Swedish Heatseeker Chart – 2 september 2022". Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Tjay Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Tjay Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Tjay Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ "American single certifications – Lil Tjay – Beat the Odds". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates | ..." All Access. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "Urban/R&B Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates | ..." All Access. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.