Knockout (Lil Wayne song)

2010 single by Lil Wayne featuring Nicki Minaj

"Knockout"

Single by Lil Wayne featuring Nicki Minaj
from the album  Rebirth
Released| February 2, 2010
Recorded| 2009
Genre|

* Alternative rock
* pop punk
* rap rock[1]

Length| 4:09
Label|

* Young Money
* Cash Money
* Universal Motown

Songwriter(s)|

* Dwayne Carter
* Onika Maraj
* Kevin Crowe
* Erik Ortiz

Producer(s)| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Lil Wayne singles chronology
| "Miss Me"
(2010)  | "Knockout"
(2010)  | "No Love"
(2010)

|
|

Nicki Minaj singles chronology
| "Up Out My Face"
(2010)  | "Knockout"
(2010)  | "My Chick Bad"
(2010)

|
|

"Knockout" is a song by Lil Wayne, released by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Universal Motown Records on February 2, 2010 as the fourth single from his seventh album, Rebirth. It contains a guest appearance from Trinidadian-born rapper and Young Money newcomer Nicki Minaj, who performs the chorus and third verse. It also became her first song to enter the US Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 44. A punk-inspired alternative rock song, it finds Wayne comparing him and his inamorata to "Black Ken" and "Barbie", respectively.

Despite being widely panned by music critics, "Knockout" has received platinum certification by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA).[2]

## Reception

[edit]

The song received generally negative reviews by critics. Behind the Hype gave the song a negative review, stating " 'Knockout' sounds like it's set to an old Blink-182 drumbeat and guitar riff, but without any of the fun. That’s a good analogy for the record as a whole."[3] Culture Bully called it the worst track of the album, along with "The Price is Wrong", and added "'Knockout' stands as one of the best examples as to why vocoderized pop punk should not exist."[4] AllHipHop stated that the song "possesses a fair balance of rock influenced music, but not offensive to his core base."[5] Consequence of Sound commented that Minaj did a passable job and called the song a "tween rock anthem".[6]

Rolling Stone stated that the only reason the album was given a generous review is because of this track (along with others) although there is an overly heavy use of auto-tune.[7] Entertainment Weekly felt the song wasn't suited for Wayne stating "Wayne turns his efforts to blink-182-style pop-punk bounce ('Get a Life,' 'Knockout') and Prince-ly funk fervor ('I'll Die for You'), neither of which suits him much better."[8] The New York Times called the song a parody stating "The songs might have been better as parodies than as imitations, although 'Knockout' — a Coldplay homage backing a raunchy lyric — comes close to being both."[9]

## Music video

[edit]

The video was shot by director David Rousseau on February 6, 2010, where Lil Wayne spent 48 hours shooting a variety of music videos for multiple songs.[10] A sneak peek of the video was shown on May 26, 2010.[11] The video premiered on May 29 of Memorial Day weekend along with videos of other singles from the Rebirth album including "Da Da Da", "Runnin' " with Shanell, and "Get a Life".[12] The entire video was shot in front of a green-screen.[13]

The video features Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj living out a high school fantasy where Minaj plays Wayne's Barbie love interest. During the chorus Minaj sings into the camera wearing a wig that is split in half of blonde hair and green hair with pink hair underneath in the back. Lil Wayne makes a wardrobe change during his second verse and during Minaj's verse they are both in a boxing arena with a large crowd performing. The video ends with both artists in the boxing ring with Wayne shouting the final lyrics. Birdman makes a cameo in the video around the end.

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (2010)  | Peak
position

|

US Billboard Hot 100 | 44[14]

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

United States (RIAA)[15] | Platinum  | 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The 25 greatest rock-rap tracks ever: a playlist". HipHopHero. January 19, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
2. ^ "Week Ending Oct. 3, 2010: America's Most Popular Inmate - Chart Watch". Archived from the original on 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
3. ^ Cheese Sandwich (2010-02-09). "Lil Wayne's 'Rebirth' a Strong Argument for Creative Abortion | Movie Reviews | Music Reviews". Behind the Hype. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
4. ^ "Lil Wayne "Rebirth" Review". Culturebully.com. 2009-12-17. Archived from the original on 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
5. ^ "Reviews / Music : Lil Wayne - Rebirth (Album Review)". Allhiphop.com. Archived from the original on 2010-05-02. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
6. ^ Alex Young (2010-01-08). "Album Review: Lil Wayne- Rebirth". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
7. ^ Christian Hoard (2010-02-04). "Rebirth : Lil Wayne". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
8. ^ Leah Greenblatt (2010-01-27). "Rebirth". EW.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
9. ^ "Critics' Choice - New Music from Lil Wayne, Midlake and Orrin Evans - Review". The New York Times. 2010-01-31. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
10. ^ "Lil Wayne Shoots Over 10 Music Videos | Lil Wayne". Rap Basement. 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
11. ^ "Sneak Peek: Lil Wayne f/ Nicki Minaj – 'Knockout' + Big Boi – 'Shutterbugg'". Rap-Up.com. 2010-05-26. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
12. ^ "Sneak Peek: Lil Wayne – 'Da Da Da'". Rap-Up.com. 2010-05-25. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
13. ^ "Video: Behind The Scenes: Lil Wayne Ft. Nicki Minaj - Knockout". Worldstarhiphop.com. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
14. ^ [1]
15. ^ "American single certifications – Lil Wayne – Knockout". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 27, 2021.

* 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"
* "Steady Mobbin"
* "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"
* "Mona Lisa"

Funeral|

* "I Do It"

Tha Carter VI|

* "Welcome to Tha Carter"
* "Bells"
* "Hip-Hop"
* "Sharks"
* "Banned from NO"
* "Peanuts 2 N Elephant"

Featured singles|

| 1999-2006|

* "Back That Azz Up"
* "Bling Bling"
* "#1 Stunna"
* "Neva Get Enuf"
* "Hot Boys, Hot Girls"
* "Soldier"
* "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"

2014-2016|

* "We Alright"
* "Thug Cry"
* "Only"
* "Truffle Butter"
* "How Many Times"
* "Just Right for Me"
* "Bottom of the Bottle"
* "Switch Up"
* "Pillowtalk" (Remix)
* "Order More" (Remix)
* "No Problem"
* "Gold" (Remix)

2017-2020|

* "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"
* "Good Form"
* "Genius" (Lil Wayne Remix)
* "Be Like Me"
* "Whats Poppin" (Remix)
* "Iced Out Audemars" (Remix)
* "Pussy Talk" (Remix)

2021-2024|

* "Wockesha" (Remix)
* "Sinister
* "Ay!
* "Sunshine"
* "Ain't Gonna Answer"
* "Saturday Mornings"
* "Sticky"

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"
* "Kant Nobody"
* "Kat Food"
* "Brand New"
* "Presha"
* "Long Story Short"
* "Wassam Baby"
* "Baby Mad at Me"

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"

* v
* t
* e

Nicki Minaj songs

* Discography
* Songs

Beam Me Up Scotty|

* "I Get Crazy"
* "Best I Ever Had" (remix)

Pink Friday|

* "Roman's Revenge"
* "Did It On'em"
* "Right Thru Me"
* "Fly"
* "Moment 4 Life"
* "Check It Out"
* "Blazin'"
* "Your Love"
* "Super Bass"
* "Girls Fall Like Dominoes"
* "BedRock"

Pink Friday:
Roman Reloaded|

* "Roman Holiday"
* "Come on a Cone"
* "I Am Your Leader"
* "Beez in the Trap"
* "Roman Reloaded"
* "Champion"
* "Right by My Side"
* "Starships"
* "Pound the Alarm"
* "Whip It"
* "Automatic"
* "Marilyn Monroe"
* "Stupid Hoe"
* "Turn Me On"
* "Va Va Voom"

The Re-Up|

* "Freedom"
* "High School"
* "The Boys"

|

The Pinkprint|

* "All Things Go"
* "Get on Your Knees"
* "Feeling Myself"
* "Only"
* "Anaconda"
* "The Night Is Still Young"
* "Pills n Potions"
* "Bed of Lies"
* "Truffle Butter"

Queen|

* "Ganja Burn"
* "Majesty"
* "Barbie Dreams"
* "Rich Sex"
* "Hard White"
* "Bed"
* "Chun-Li"
* "Good Form"
* "Barbie Tingz"
* "Fefe"

Queen Radio: Volume 1|

* "Do We Have a Problem?"
* "Bussin"
* "We Go Up"

Pink Friday 2|

* "FTCU"
* "Needle"
* "Everybody"
* "Red Ruby da Sleeze"
* "Super Freaky Girl"
* "Bahm Bahm"
* "Last Time I Saw You"
* "Love Me Enough"

Other songs|

* "Roger That"
* "Dark Fantasy"
* "Massive Attack"
* "Roman in Moscow"
* "Yasss Bish"
* "Bang Bang"
* "Black Barbies"
* "Make Love"
* "Changed It"
* "Regret in Your Tears"
* "No Frauds"
* "MotorSport"
* "Violent Crimes"
* "Boo'd Up" (remix)
* "Megatron"
* "Tusa"
* "Yikes"
* "Trollz"
* "What That Speed Bout!?"
* "Blick Blick"
* "Love in the Way"
* "Tukoh Taka"
* "WTF"
* "Princess Diana" (remix)
* "Alone"
* "Barbie World"
* "Big Foot"
* "AGATS2 (Insecure)"

As featured artist|

| 2009|

* "5 Star" (remix)

|

2010|

* "Up Out My Face"
* "Knockout"
* "My Chick Bad"
* "Lil Freak"
* "Get It All"
* "Hello Good Morning" (remix)
* "Woohoo"
* "All I Do Is Win" (remix)
* "Up All Night"
* "Bottoms Up"
* "2012 (It Ain't the End)"
* "Letting Go (Dutty Love)"
* "Monster"
* "I Ain't Thru"
* "Raining Men"

2011|

* "The Creep"
* "Till the World Ends (The Femme Fatale Remix)"
* "Where Them Girls At"
* "Lollipop Luxury"
* "Y.U. Mad"
* "Fireball"
* "You the Boss"
* "Make Me Proud"
* "Dance (Ass)" (remix)

2012|

* "Give Me All Your Luvin'"
* "I Don't Give A"
* "Take It to the Head"
* "Get Low"
* "Girl on Fire (Inferno Version)"
* "Out of My Mind"
* "Beauty and a Beat"

2013|

* "Freaks"
* "Tonight I'm Getting Over You" (remix)
* "Tapout"
* "Somebody Else"
* "I'm Out"
* "Twerk It"
* "Get Like Me"
* "Livin' It Up"
* "Love More"
* "I Wanna Be with You"
* "Clappers"
* "My Nigga" (remix)

2014|

* "Lookin Ass"
* "She Came to Give It to You"
* "No Love" (remix)
* "Low"
* "Flawless" (remix)
* "Touchin, Lovin"
* "Throw Sum Mo"

2015|

* "Sugar" (remix)
* "Hey Mama"
* "Bitch I'm Madonna"
* "All Eyes on You"
* "Back Together"
* "The Hills" (remix)
* "Down in the DM" (remix)

2016|

* "No Broken Hearts"
* "Do You Mind"
* "Side to Side"

2017|

* "Run Up"
* "Swalla"
* "Light My Body Up"
* "Kissing Strangers"
* "Swish Swish"
* "Rake It Up"
* "You da Baddest"
* "You Already Know"
* "The Way Life Goes" (remix)
* "Krippy Kush" (remix)
* "Plain Jane" (remix)

2018|

* "Ball for Me"
* "Big Bank"
* "The Light Is Coming"
* "Goodbye"
* "Idol"
* "Woman Like Me"
* "Dip"
* "No Candle No Light"
* "Mama"
* "Touch Down" (remix)

2019|

* "Dumb Blonde"
* "Wobble Up"
* "BAPS"
* "Extravagant"
* "Hot Girl Summer"
* "Welcome to the Party" (remix)

2020|

* "Nice to Meet Ya"
* "Say So" (remix)
* "Move Ya Hips"
* "Expensive"
* "Whole Lotta Choppas" (remix)

2021|

* "Whole Lotta Money" (remix)
* "Boyz"

2023|

* "Pound Town 2"
* "Endless Fashion"

Unreleased songs|

* "Sorry"
* "New Body"

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