Black and Yellow

"Black and Yellow"
Single by Wiz Khalifa
from the album Rolling Papers
Released	September 14, 2010
Format	CD single digital download
Recorded	2009 at Roc the Mic Studios in New York City, New York
Genre	Pop rap
Length	3:37
Label	Rostrum Atlantic
Writer(s)	Cameron Thomaz Mikkel S. Eriksen Tor Erik Hermansen
Producer(s)	Stargate
Certification	3x Platinum (RIAA)
Wiz Khalifa singles chronology
"This Plane" (2009) "Black and Yellow" (2010) "Roll Up" (2011)
Audio sample file info · help

"Black and Yellow" is a song by American rapper Wiz Khalifa from his third studio album, Rolling Papers. It was released on September 14, 2010, as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Khalifa, along with Stargate, who produced it. It was released as a CD single in honor of Record Store Day.^[1] The song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Wiz Khalifa's first number-one single in the US;^[2] he would top the chart again in 2015 with "See You Again".

The song is a reference to the colors of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and their NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. ^[3] Khalifa has stated that he bought a car in those colors because of his allegiance to Pittsburgh and the Steelers.^[3] The music video for the song made the connection to Pittsburgh explicit, showing various iconic locations in the city. In the year after it was released, "Black and Yellow" spawned dozens of remixes, parodies and remakes, both in the US and internationally.^[4][5][6]

Chart performance

On the issue dated October 2, 2010, "Black and Yellow" debuted at No. 100 on the Billboard Hot 100. It then dropped out the following week and re-entered at No. 64 on the issue dated October 30, 2010. On its eighteenth charting week, the song rose to No. 1 on the issue dated February 19, 2011, selling 198,000 digital copies that week.^[7] "Black and Yellow" has sold 4,144,922 digital copies since release.^[8]

Music video

The music video was directed by Bill Paladino. It was filmed in Pittsburgh and features sights of the city, including the U.S. Steel Tower, BNY Mellon Center, PPG Place, William Penn Hotel, Citizens Bank Tower, Union Trust Building, One PNC Plaza, K&L Gates Center the Three Sisters and Smithfield Street bridges, Station Square, Shannon Hall of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and the smoke stacks of the former U.S. Steel Homestead Works at The Waterfront adjacent to the city. The video also prominently features city icons such as the Terrible Towel, a rally towel for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and city sports in general, as well as Pittsburgh Pirates apparel. It was recorded in Chatsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.

In popular culture

The song was featured in the first teaser trailer of The Lego Batman Movie.

Remixes

The official remix, "Black & Yellow (G-Mix)" features west-coast rapper Snoop Dogg, Juicy J and R&B singer T-Pain. Wiz Khalifa has a new verse on the track. The song leaked on December 12, 2010 but was officially released on December 16.^[9] A video for the remix was shot and was released on January 8, 2011. A remix by T-Pain, named "Black & Yellow (T-Mix)", featured the verse that was later put on the official remix.

Track listing

• Digital download^[10]

1. "Black and Yellow" (Explicit Album Version) – 3:37

• Digital download (G-Mix)^[11]

1. "Black and Yellow" (G-Mix) (featuring Snoop Dogg, Juicy J & T-Pain) – 4:38

Remakes and freestyles

Many remakes have been made, mostly in tribute to other sports teams, referring to their respective pair of colors. Some of the notable remakes include:

• "Purp & Yellow" by Game, Snoop Dogg, and YG, representing the Los Angeles Lakers.^[2] This version also had a remix produced by DJ Skee, with a rock-instrumented backing track; a music video for the DJ Skee remix featured the artists as well as members of the Lakers.^[12] An extended mix was released the next day, also featuring Kendrick Lamar, Joe Moses and Thurzday.

• "Rossonero (Red and Black)" by Denny La Home feat. Jake La Furia - Italian version performed by two Italian rappers. The colours refer to Italian football club AC Milan.

• "Eff Australia" by Rucka Rucka Ali - an anti-Australian song.

• "Green and Yellow" by Lil Wayne, representing the Green Bay Packers, who defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.^[2][13]

• "White and Navy" by Fabolous representing New York City, and the New York Yankees.^[2]

• "Black and Yellow (Mike Tomlin)" by Wale, in reference to the Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin.^[14]

• "Yeah Carmelo" by Maino, in reference to Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks.^[14]

• "Black and Red" by Jermaine Dupri representing the Atlanta Falcons.^[15]

• "Black and Orange" by San Quinn representing the San Francisco Giants in their 2010 World Series victory.^[16]

• "White and Purple" by Chet Haze (son of actor Tom Hanks), representing Northwestern University.^[2][4][17]

• "Black and Yellow" by Tyler Ward and Crew and Cobus, a rock version.^[18]

• "Black and Ghetto" by Serius Jones describing the lifestyle of being an African American gangster.^[19]

• "Green and Purple" by Kritikal which refers to marijuana and the culture surrounding it.^[20]

In addition, a number of freestyle versions have been released, of artists rapping over "Black and Yellow"'s instrumental track, without any overt reference to the song or to sports teams. These include versions by Crooked I (who included a chorus of "packing metal"), Donnis, Young Jeezy, Tyga, Novi Novak also Layzie Bone and Flesh-n-Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.^[14]

• "Black and Yellow" By Chris Lee Cobbins. A Christian Hit.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2010–11) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[21] 24 Australia (ARIA Urban Singles)[22] 9 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[23] 44 Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[24] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[25] 46 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[26] 7 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[27] 35 Denmark (Tracklisten)[28] 12 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[29] 2 France (SNEP)[30] 38 Germany (Official German Charts)[31] 31 German Airplay Chart[32] 91 Ireland (IRMA)[33] 14 Italy (FIMI)[34] 37 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[35] 44 New Zealand (RIANZ)[36] 21 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[37] 26 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 28 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 44 UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[40] 2 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[41] 5 US Billboard Hot 100[42] 1 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[43] 6 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[44] 1 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[45] 18 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[46] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2011) Position US Billboard Hot 100[47] 31 Certifications Country Certification Australia Platinum[48] Canada 2× Platinum[49] Italy Gold[50] United States 3× Platinum[51]

References

1. "Record Store Day – Wiz Khalifa". Record Store Day.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
2. "Wiz Khalifa's "Black And Yellow" Spawns A Litany Of Remixes To Remember". MTV.com. February 5, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
3. "Black and Yellow by Wiz Khalifa on Songfacts.com". Retrieved 2013-07-03.
4. Mapes, Jillian (January 13, 2011). "Watch: 4 Remakes of Wiz Khalifa's 'Black & Yellow'". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
5. JNR (February 26, 2011). "'Birmingham – Blue and White'". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
6. Seany (February 26, 2011). "'Rot & Weiß'". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
7. Trust, Gary (February 10, 2011). "Wiz Khalifa's 'Black And Yellow' Tops Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
8. BuzzJack Entertainment Forums. "US Top 200 Songs in Digital Era - (11/15/2014) - BuzzJack Music Forum". buzzjack.com.
9. "New Music: Wiz Khalifa f/ Snoop Dogg, Juicy J, & T-Pain – ‘Black & Yellow (G-Mix)’". Rap-Up.com. December 16, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
10. "iTunes – Music – Black and Yellow – Single by Wiz Khalifa". Itunes.apple.com. September 14, 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
11. "iTunes – Music – Black and Yellow (feat. Juicy J, Snoop Dogg & T-Pain) [G Mix] – Single by Wiz Khalifa". iTunes.apple.com. April 3, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
12. The Game and Snoop Dogg release the video for 'Purp & Yellow' remix, Jeff Weiss, Pop & Hiss: the L.A. Times Music Blog, February 21, 2011
13. Ziegbe, Mawuse (February 4, 2011). "Lil Wayne Calls 'Green And Yellow' 'Perfect' Comeback Remix". MTV.com. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
14. "Rating The Remix: "Black And Yellow"". PrefixMag.com. November 8, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
15. "Wiz Khalifa: le Hit "Black And Yellow" et l'album "Rolling Papers"". MusiqueRadio.com. February 2, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
16. Port, Ian (November 3, 2010). "Video for S.F. Giants Ode 'Black & Orange' Brings Out City Rappers En Masse". Retrieved 2011-03-02.
17. "Tom Hanks son…next great rapper?". Candy95.com. January 13, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
18. Maloney, Devon (May 1, 2011). "Uncharted Territory: DJ BL3ND Still On Top, Childish Gambino and Zaz Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
19. Jones, Serius (December 4, 2010). "Serius Jones Black and Ghetto music video". Retrieved 2012-12-30.
20. "Kritikal Green and Purple music video". December 29, 2010. Retrieved 2015-05-02.
21. "Australian-charts.com – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
22. "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. February 28, 2011. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
23. "Austriancharts.at – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
24. "Ultratop.be – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
25. "Ultratop.be – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
26. "Wiz Khalifa – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Wiz Khalifa. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
27. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201107 into search. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
28. "Danishcharts.com – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow". Tracklisten. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
29. "Wiz Khalifa: Black and Yellow" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
30. "Lescharts.com – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
31. "Musicline.de – Wiz Khalifa Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
32. German Airplay Chart, Retrieved on 2011-06-03
33. "Chart Track: Week 11, 2011". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
34. "Italiancharts.com – {{{artist}}} – {{{song}}}". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
35. "Dutchcharts.nl – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
36. "Chart #1766 – Monday 28 March 2011: Top 40 Singles Chart". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. March 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
37. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201111 into search. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
38. "Swedishcharts.com – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
39. "Swisscharts.com – Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
40. "19, 2011/ Archive Chart: March 19, 2011" UK R&B Chart. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
41. "19, 2011/ Archive Chart: March 19, 2011" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
42. "Wiz Khalifa – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Wiz Khalifa. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
43. "Wiz Khalifa – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Wiz Khalifa. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
44. "Wiz Khalifa – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for Wiz Khalifa. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
45. "Wiz Khalifa – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Wiz Khalifa. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
46. "Wiz Khalifa – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Wiz Khalifa. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
47. "Best of 2011: Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
48. "2011 singles accreditations". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
49. Archived February 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
50. Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
51. "Swift Springs Forward in March". Washington: Recording Industry Association of America. April 19, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2011.

External links

• "Black and Yellow" music video on YouTube
• "Black and Yellow (G-Mix) ft. Snoop Dogg, Juicy J & T-Pain" music video on YouTube