Karate Chop (song)

2013 single by Future featuring Lil Wayne

"Karate Chop"

Single by Future featuring Lil Wayne
from the album  Honest
Released| February 19, 2013 (2013-02-19)
Recorded| 2012
Genre|

* Hip hop
* trap

Length| 4:36
Label|

* A1
* Freebandz
* Epic

Songwriter(s)|

* Nayvadius Wilburn
* Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.
* Leland Wayne

Producer(s)| Metro Boomin
Future singles chronology
| "Bugatti"
(2013)  | "Karate Chop"
(2013)  | "U.O.E.N.O."
(2013)

|
|

Lil Wayne singles chronology
| "All That (Lady)"
(2013)  | "Karate Chop"
(2013)  | "Tapout"
(2013)

|
|

"Karate Chop" is a song by American rapper Future from his second studio album Honest. The song was produced by Metro Boomin and originally had a feature from rapper Casino. However, the remix features fellow American rapper Lil Wayne. The remix was released as the lead single of the album on February 19, 2013. It debuted at #100 on the Billboard Hot 100 and since then has peaked at #82.

## Background and release[edit]

"Karate Chop" was originally written by Future and Lil Wayne. It was produced by Metro Boomin and originally featured a verse from Free Band Gang member Casino. The original version of the track appeared on DJ Spinz and DJ Pretty Boy Tank's mixtape We Are Radio 6. Future premiered the song on January 25, 2013,[1] and it was sent to urban radio on January 29, 2013.[2]

Metro Boomin stated in an interview with XXL magazine how the record came about. He explained: "I actually made that beat before I moved to Atlanta... I never really liked it, but once I moved to Atlanta I just started going to the studio with Future like everyday. So one day, I didn't come, and when I showed up the next day he played "Karate Chop". And I just didn't like it at all. Then every time people would come in to the studio, he would always play the record...".[3] The song was officially remixed featuring a guest appearance from American rapper Lil Wayne and was released as the lead single for his upcoming album, Future Hendrix, later to be retitled Honest. The Lil Wayne remix became a bonus track on the album. It was sent to urban and rhythmic radio and released for digital download on February 19, 2013.[4][5]

## Remix[edit]

On May 10, the song's official remix was released featuring Rick Ross, French Montana and Birdman, called the RichMix.[6] Metro Boomin also released a remix to the song featuring Wiz Khalifa in late May 2013. Young Buck, Young Dro, Riff Raff, and Jeremih have also released remixes to the song.

## Critical reception[edit]

Pitchfork Media ranked it number 80 on a list of the 100 best songs of 2013: "His staccato-fied rhymes, supremely druggy performance, and computer-assisted warble reduce his verses to a jumble of phonemes that you have to squint at to recognize as actual words. Combined with a beat by wunderkind producer Metro Boomin’ that pairs a Hendrix-y synthesized guitar lick with blaring Inception-style horns, the song announced his new push into updating 60s psychedelia for the digital age."[7]

50 Cent told NME that the song made him want to dance: "He's a guy who's got a rock 'n' roll edge to him: he's a drinking, drugging kind of guy and he's crazy. Hip-hop now is so much more diverse than it's ever been – and Future, to me, best represents that crazy, different world."[8]

## Controversy[edit]

The song has garnered much controversy due to a lyric in rapper Lil Wayne's verse. The lyric, "Beat that pussy up like Emmett Till", drew much criticism and the ire of Till's family. Emmett Till was a 14-year-old boy who was murdered in the 1950s for allegedly flirting with a white woman. Epic Records apologized for the line and made efforts to take the song down.[9] Future mentioned in an interview with MTV that he's sure Wayne meant no harm, stating, "The record it was done from a good place, good art, he ain't have no bad intentions when he was thinking about it like that".[10] The song was officially re-released with the line edited out of the verse. (On the version which appears on Honest, only Till's name is edited) [11] On May 3, 2013, Lil Wayne was dropped from his endorsement deal with Mountain Dew because of the lyrics.[12]

## Chart performance[edit]

### Weekly charts[edit]

| Chart (2013)  | Peak
position

|

US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 82
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] | 27
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[15] | 19

### Year-end charts[edit]

| Chart (2013)  | Position

|

US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] | 72

## Release history[edit]

List of release dates by region, including format details, and record label  Region  | Date  | Format  | Version  | Label

|
|
|
|

United States[2][4][5] | January 29, 2013  | Urban radio | Original version  | Epic Records
February 19, 2013  | Digital download | Remix version
Urban radio
Rhythmic radio

## References[edit]

1. ^ "New Music: Future f/ Casino – 'Karate Chop'". Rap-Up.com. 2013-01-25. Archived from the original on 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
2. ^ a b "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
3. ^ "Meet Metro Boomin', The Producer Behind Future's "Karate Chop"". XXL Magazine. Harris Publications. February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
4. ^ a b "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
5. ^ a b "Karate Chop (Remix): Future: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Archived from the original on 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
6. ^ "Listen: Future f/ Rick Ross, Birdman & French Montana "Karate Chop (Remix)"". Complex. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
7. ^ "The Top 100 Tracks of 2013 - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
8. ^ Haynes, Gavin (October 1, 2015). "Soundtrack of my life". NME. p. 48.
9. ^ "Epic to pull song with offending Lil Wayne lyric". Yahoo.com. 2013-02-13. Archived from the original on 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
10. ^ "Lil Wayne's Emmett Till Lyric Had 'No Bad Intentions'". MTV. 2013-02-16. Archived from the original on 2013-02-19. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
11. ^ "Future ft. Lil Wayne – Karate Chop Remix (Emmett Till Free Version)". Nahright.com. 2013-02-14. Archived from the original on 2013-02-22. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
12. ^ "PepsiCo ending ties with rapper Lil Wayne". Usatoday.com. 2013-05-03. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
13. ^ "Future Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
14. ^ "Future Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
15. ^ "Future Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
16. ^ "2013 Year End Charts — R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2013.

* v
* t
* e

Future

* Discography
* Awards and nominations

Studio albums|

* Pluto (2012)
* Honest (2014)
* DS2 (2015)
* Evol (2016)
* Future (2017)
* Hndrxx (2017)
* The Wizrd (2019)
* High Off Life (2020)
* I Never Liked You (2022)

Reissued albums|

* Pluto 3D (2012)

Collaborative albums|

* Pluto × Baby Pluto (with Lil Uzi Vert) (2020)
* We Don't Trust You (with Metro Boomin) (2024)
* We Still Don't Trust You (with Metro Boomin) (2024)

Mixtapes|

* Astronaut Status (2012)
* Monster (2014)
* Purple Reign (2016)

Collaborative mixtapes|

* Beast Mode (with Zaytoven) (2015)
* 56 Nights (with DJ Esco) (2015)
* What a Time to Be Alive (with Drake) (2015)
* Super Slimey (with Young Thug) (2017)
* Beast Mode 2 (with Zaytoven) (2018)
* Wrld on Drugs (with Juice Wrld) (2018)

Extended plays|

* Free Bricks 2K16 (Zone 6 Edition) (with Gucci Mane) (2016)
* Save Me (2019)

Singles|

* "Tony Montana"
* "Magic"
* "Same Damn Time"
* "Turn On the Lights"
* "Neva End"
* "Karate Chop"
* "Honest"
* "Shit"
* "Real and True"
* "Move That Dope"
* "I Won"
* "Fuck Up Some Commas"
* "Where Ya At"
* "March Madness"
* "Jumpman"
* "Low Life"
* "Wicked"
* "Used to This"
* "Draco"
* "Selfish"
* "Mask Off"
* "Pie"
* "You da Baddest"
* "Patek Water"
* "Bum Bum Tam Tam (Remix)"
* "King's Dead"
* "Fine China"
* "Crushed Up"
* "Jumpin on a Jet"
* "First Off"
* "Life Is Good"
* "Trillionaire"
* "Hard for the Next"
* "Too Easy"
* "Worst Day"
* "Hold That Heat"
* "Wait for U"
* "Keep It Burnin"
* "Love You Better"
* "Turn Yo Clic Up"
* "Supposed to Be Loved"
* "Type Shit"
* "Young Metro"
* "Like That"

Featured singles|

* "Racks"
* "We in This Bitch"
* "Love Me"
* "Bugatti"
* "U.O.E.N.O."
* "Tapout"
* "Loveeeeeee Song"
* "Show You"
* "I Wanna Be with You"
* "No Games"
* "Ready"
* "Hold You Down"
* "Let Me Know"
* "3500"
* "Chimes (RMX)"
* "Blasé"
* "New Level"
* "I Got the Keys"
* "Campaign"
* "X"
* "Do You Mind"
* "Too Much Sauce"
* "Rivals"
* "Everyday"
* "Cold"
* "Rollin"
* "End Game"
* "Faded Love"
* "Top Off"
* "Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)"
* "Franchise (Remix)"
* "Go Crazy (Remix)"
* "Company"
* "Maybach"
* "Mr. Jones"
* "Number 2"
* "Way 2 Sexy"
* "Me or Sum"
* "Pressurelicious"
* "Beautiful"
* "One Time"
* "Big Time"
* "No Time Wasted"
* "Private Landing"
* "Double Fantasy"
* "Giving Chanel"

Promotional singles|

* "High End"
* "Keep It Low"

Other songs|

* "Six Feet Under"
* "All I Know"
* "Comin Out Strong"
* "Relationship"
* "Die for Me"
* "Solitaires"
* "Stripes Like Burberry"
* "Marni on Me"
* "Drankin n Smokin"
* "That's It"
* "Snitching"
* "Pushin P"
* "Puffin on Zootiez"
* "I'm on One"
* "From Now On"
* "Superhero"
* "Too Many Nights"
* "Mad Max"
* "Fully Loaded"
* "All the Way Live"
* "Cars Bring Me Out"
* "Telekinesis"
* "Stand on It"
* "Cinderella"
* "Red Leather"

Concert tours|

* Summer Sixteen Tour
* Nobody Safe Tour
* Future Hndrxx Tour
* We Trust You Tour

Related articles|

* Freebandz
* Ciara
* Project E.T. Esco Terrestrial
* Kolorblind

Category

* v
* t
* e

Lil Wayne singles

* Discography

Tha Block Is Hot|

* "Tha Block Is Hot"

500 Degreez|

* "Way of Life"

Tha Carter|

* "Go D.J."

Tha Carter II|

* "Fireman"
* "Hustler Musik"
* "Shooter"

Like Father, Like Son|

* "Stuntin' Like My Daddy"
* "Leather So Soft"

The Leak|

* "Gossip"
* "I'm Me"

Tha Carter III|

* "Lollipop"
* "A Milli"
* "Got Money"
* "Mrs. Officer"
* "You Ain't Got Nuthin"
* "Mr. Carter"

We Are Young Money|

* "Every Girl"
* "BedRock"
* "Roger That"

Rebirth|

* "Prom Queen"
* "On Fire"
* "Drop the World"
* "Knockout"

I Am Not a Human Being|

* "I'm Single"
* "Right Above It"
* "Gonorrhea"

Tha Carter IV|

* "6 Foot 7 Foot"
* "John"
* "How to Love"
* "She Will"
* "It's Good"
* "Mirror"
* "Blunt Blowin"
* "MegaMan"

I Am Not a Human Being II|

* "My Homies Still"
* "No Worries"
* "Love Me"
* "Rich As Fuck"

Rich Gang|

* "Tapout"

Tha Carter V|

* "Uproar"
* "Don't Cry"

Funeral|

* "I Do It"

Featured singles|

| 1999|

* "Back That Azz Up"
* "Bling Bling"

|

2000|

* "#1 Stunna"

2002|

* "Neva Get Enuf"

2004|

* "Hot Boys, Hot Girls"

2005|

* "Soldier"

2006|

* "Gimme That"
* "Holla at Me"
* "You Know What"
* "Make It Rain"
* "Hollywood Divorce"
* "You"

2007|

* "We Takin' Over"
* "Lock U Down"
* "Pop Bottles"
* "Duffle Bag Boy"
* "Uh-Ohhh!"
* "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)"
* "100 Million"

2008|

* "Push"
* "Love in This Club Part II"
* "Girls Around the World"
* "I Run This"
* "My Life"
* "Can't Believe It"
* "Let It Rock"
* "Shawty Say"
* "Swagga Like Us"
* "Cuddy Buddy"
* "Official Girl"
* "I'm So Paid"
* "Lost"
* "All My Life (In the Ghetto)"
* "Turnin Me On"
* "Make a Toast"

2009|

* "Unstoppable"
* "Always Strapped"
* "Respect My Conglomerate"
* "So Good"
* "Maybach Music 2"
* "Down"
* "Successful"
* "I'm Goin' In"
* "Money to Blow"
* "Heard 'em All"
* "I Can Transform Ya"
* "Give It Up to Me"
* "4 My Town (Play Ball)"
* "Revolver"
* "Women Lie, Men Lie"

2010|

* "I Made It (Cash Money Heroes)"
* "Miss Me"
* "Loyalty"
* "No Love"
* "Fire Flame"

2011|

* "Welcome to My Hood"
* "Look at Me Now"
* "Bow Chicka Wow Wow"
* "Hit the Lights"
* "Someone to Love Me (Naked)"
* "This Is What Rock n' Roll Looks Like"
* "Motivation"
* "Red Nation"
* "9 Piece"
* "I'm on One"
* "I'm Into You"
* "Dirty Dancer"
* "Ballin'"
* "Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)"
* "Y.U. Mad"
* "Strange Clouds"
* "Sweat"
* "The Motto"

2012|

* "Faded"
* "All Aboard"
* "Take It to the Head"
* "HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)"
* "I Can Only Imagine"
* "Pop That"
* "Enough of No Love"
* "Ice"
* "Bandz a Make Her Dance"
* "Celebration"
* "She Don't Put It Down"
* "Ball"
* "Hello"

2013|

* "Karate Chop"
* "All That (Lady)"
* "Ready to Go"
* "High School"
* "No New Friends"
* "Wit' Me"
* "We Outchea"
* "Beware"
* "Good Time"
* "Thank You"
* "Loyal"

2014|

* "We Alright"
* "Thug Cry"
* "Only"

2015|

* "Truffle Butter"
* "How Many Times"
* "Just Right for Me"
* "Bottom of the Bottle"
* "Switch Up"

2016|

* "Pillowtalk" (Remix)
* "Order More" (Remix)
* "No Problem"
* "Gold" (Remix)

2017|

* "Running Back"
* "Light My Body Up"
* "I'm the One"
* "The Way I Are (Dance with Somebody)"
* "Love U Better"
* "Like a Man"
* "Codeine Dreaming"

2018|

* "Good Form"

2019|

* "Genius" (Lil Wayne Remix)
* "Be Like Me"

2020|

* "Whats Poppin" (Remix)
* "Iced Out Audemars" (Remix)

Other singles|

* "Hot Revolver"
* "Forever"
* "We Are the World 25 for Haiti"
* "Roman's Revenge"
* "Sleazy Remix 2.0: Get Sleazier"
* "Roman Reloaded"
* "Scream & Shout" (Remix)
* "Believe Me"
* "Start a Fire"
* "Nothing but Trouble"
* "Let Me Love You"
* "Sucker for Pain"
* "No Frauds"
* "Changed It"
* "Rich Sex"
* "Gang Gang"
* "Lose"
* "Lonely"
* "Feelin' Like Tunechi"
* "Ay!"
* "Sunshine"
* "Kant Nobody"
* "Ain't Gonna Answer"
* "Kat Food"
* "Brand New"
* "Presha"
* "Long Story Short"
* "Wassam Baby"

Other songs|

* "See You in My Nightmares"
* "Martians vs. Goblins"
* "I Do It"
* "M's"
* "Smuckers"
* "My Window"
* "I Heard You're Married"
* "God Did"
* "Annihilate"
* "Transparency"

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