Traktor (song)

"Traktor"
Single by Wretch 32 featuring L Marshall
from the album Black and White
Released 16 January 2011
Format Digital Download
Recorded 2010
Genre British hip hop, R&B
Length 3:38
Label Ministry of Sound
Writer(s)
  • Jermaine Scott
  • Yogi Tulsiani
  • Thomas Christopher Temilaye Rosiki-Griffith
Producer(s) Yogi
Wretch 32 singles chronology
"Traktor"
(2011)		 "Unorthodox"
(2011)
L singles chronology
"Traktor"
(2011)		 "The Wait"
(2012)

"Traktor" is a song by Tottenham-born rapper Wretch 32, featuring vocals from British singer L Marshall (credited as "L" on the release).[1] It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Black and White, on 16 January 2011. A 12" vinyl was released the following day. On 23 January 2011 the single debuted at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart;[2] also managing to reach number 2 on both the R&B chart and the independent releases chart.[3][4] The song title refers to Traktor, the Native Instruments DJ software of the same name.

"Traktor" was selected by Reggie Yates as The Weekend Anthem on BBC Radio 1 for 18 – 19 December 2010.[5]

Background

Speaking to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Assistant Editor of Blues & Soul - in December 2010 Wretch stated: "'Traktor' is actually about a dad talking to his child. Like on the intro the dad is saying 'Hey, go get a job' and basically telling his son to get outta the house. Then the chorus is actually the son explaining what's going on in his life. Like he's quit school; he hasn't got a job yet; his girl's upset 'cause she's pregnant and - though his daughter's on the way - he keeps on clubbing and raving... But yet through it all he knows that he rides the beat like a TRACTOR - that he's a great RAPPER! You know, though everything is so wild in his life he literally does know that he has got a talent and he wants to stick with it... So yeah, it's basically all about having a gift and taking a risk with the music and BELIEVING in it. Which is pretty much how it is for ME!" [6]

Critical reception

Nick Levine of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating: "Though he sounds like a mere number from the Dickensian workhouse, there's nothing anonymous about this debut single."[7]

Chart performance

"Traktor" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 23 January 2011 at number 5;[2] marking the week's third highest new entry behind Diddy-Dirty Money and Adele. The following week, the single fell two places to number 7; falling out of the top ten to number 12 on 6 February. The single spent a total of six weeks within the top 40, falling to number 44 on its seventh week on 6 March. The single also debuted at number 2 on the R&B singles chart[3] behind Diddy-Dirty Money and Skylar Grey's "Coming Home" and at number two on the independent releases chart[4] behind Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". The single also debuted in Ireland and Scotland at number 45 on 28 January[8]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of the single "Traktor" was first released on YouTube on 9 November 2010, directed by Ben Newman. The video lasts 3 minutes and 47 seconds long. The video opens with the digits '32' forming out of ice; before the song begins, in which Wretch 32, L and FKA Twigs are all show in between the flashing of lights. The video takes place in an underground and empty car park and features Wretch 32 and L performing alongside with the song, while FKA Twigs mimics the song by playing the drums; also dancing. Rapper Chipmunk makes a cameo appearance at the end of the video.[9]

Track listing

Digital download
No. Title Length
1. "Traktor" (Radio Edit - Clean) 3:38
2. "Traktor" (Dawood & Preston Remix - Clean) 4:04
3. "Traktor" (Brookes Brothers Remix - Clean) 4:25
4. "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Remix - Clean) 4:42
5. "Traktor" (Friction Remix - Clean) 4:38
6. "Traktor" (Explicit Edit) 3:37
7. "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Go Harder Dub - Clean) 4:42
CD Single [10]
No. Title Length
1. "Traktor" (Radio Edit) 3:38
2. "Traktor" (Dawood & Preston Remix) 4:04
3. "Traktor" (Brookes Brothers Remix) 4:25
4. "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Remix) 4:42
5. "Traktor" (Friction Remix) 4:38
6. "Traktor" (Explicit Edit) 3:37
7. "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Go Harder Dub) 4:42
8. "Traktor" (Instrumental Edit) 3:38

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[8] 45
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[11] 8
UK Indie (Official Charts Company)[4] 2
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[3] 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[2] 5

Release history

Region Date Format
Ireland[12] 16 January 2011 Digital Download
United Kingdom[13] 16 January 2011
17 January 2011 Vinyl

References

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