Hotline Bling

A chart-topping R&B hit that turned a personal plea into a viral dance phenomenon and Grammy-winning anthem.

Released by Canadian rapper Drake on July 31, 2015, "Hotline Bling" served as the lead single for his fourth studio album, Views (2016), though it was credited only as a bonus track. The song reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was named the best single of 2015 in The Village Voice's year-end critics' poll, while Pitchfork ranked it the year's second-best song. Directed by Director X and financed by Apple Inc., its music video premiered on October 19, 2015, sparking a wave of parodies including a Super Bowl 50 T-Mobile commercial featuring Drake himself.

Quick Facts

Artist

Drake

Album

Views

Released

31 July 2015

Genre

Pop rap; R&B

Length

4:27, 3:49 (Radio Edit/Views CD Version)

Label

Cash Money
Young Money
Republic

Writer

Aubrey Graham
Paul Jefferies
Timmy Thomas

Producer

Nineteen85

Lore & Background

The track's journey began when it premiered on Beats 1 OVO Sound Radio as "Hotline Bling (Cha Cha Remix)," originally seen as a remix to DRAM's "Cha Cha." Composed in F major with a tempo of 135 beats per minute, the instrumental samples Timmy Thomas's 1972 song "Why Can't We Live Together." Critics praised Drake's emotional presentation; Jayson Greene of Pitchfork called it a "halting, aching song" reminiscent of The Police's "Roxanne," while Rolling Stone ranked it number 3 on their year-end list. However, the song also drew criticism for perceived sexist undertones, with Allyson Shiffman of Bullett noting the lyrics suggest Drake is "not okay" with his ex having a life of her own.

Reader's Guide

Listeners will hear a pop and R&B track produced by Nineteen85, built on a chord progression of Bbmaj7 – Am7. The song entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 66 on August 22, 2015, fueled by 41,000 digital downloads in its first week. It climbed to number 9 before peaking at number 2 for five non-consecutive weeks behind Adele's "Hello" and The Weeknd's "The Hills." In the United Kingdom, it reached number 3 on the Singles Chart and topped the UK R&B Chart. The track won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song at the 2016 American Music Awards and secured two Grammy wins in 2017 for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Performance.

Did You Know?

Billie Eilish released a cover version on a pink 7-inch vinyl for Record Store Day in April 2018.
Drake's dance moves from the video were included in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Destiny.