Surround Sound (song)

2022 single by JID featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate

For the Empire of the Sun song, see Ice on the Dune.

"Surround Sound"

Single by JID featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate
from the album  The Forever Story
Released| January 14, 2022
Genre|

* Hip hop
* trap

Length| 3:49
Label|

* Dreamville
* Interscope

Songwriter(s)|

* Destin Route
* Shéyaa Abraham-Joseph
* Tate Ferris
* Gabriel Guerra
* John Welch
* Nuri Saberin

Producer(s)|

* DJ Scheme
* Christo
* Nuri

JID singles chronology
| "Enemy"
(2021)  | "Surround Sound"
(2022)  | "Dope"
(2022)

|
|

21 Savage singles chronology
| "Outlawz"
(2021)  | "Surround Sound"
(2022)  | "Don't Play That"
(2022)

|
|

Baby Tate singles chronology
| "Hot One"
(2021)  | "Surround Sound"
(2022)  | "Slut Him Out Again"
(2022)

|
|

Music video
"Surround Sound" on YouTube

"Surround Sound" is a song by American rapper JID featuring British-American rapper 21 Savage and fellow American rapper Baby Tate, released on January 14, 2022, as the lead single from the former's third studio album The Forever Story (2022). Produced by DJ Scheme, Christo, and Nuri, it contains a sample of "One Step Ahead" by Aretha Franklin. In late 2023, the song gained a viral resurgence on the video app TikTok after a trend named the "Ceiling Challenge" was created. As a result, more than 57,000 videos were made using the song. The trend caused the song to peak at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2024, two years after its original release.[1]

## Background

[edit]

A few days before the song was released, JID previewed the music video on Instagram.[2] In a later post, he revealed the inspiration behind the song was from focusing on the environmental sounds and noises around him as a child, to find an escape from his chaotic home life.[3][4]

## Composition

[edit]

In the beginning of the song, a sample of "One Step Ahead" by Aretha Franklin is played and a loop built around it serves as the instrumental. JID raps the chorus and first verse with double entendres and multisyllabic rhymes. The second verse is rapped by 21 Savage, who "mixes gun talk with making sound financial decisions".[5] Near the first half of the song, Baby Tate provides "fluttering vocals" in R&B style closing out of the first part.[4][6][7] The beat then switches to a "woozy, bass-bombed wobble that artfully weaves in elements from the song's first half".[4] During the second half of the song, JID returns with another verse, which has a darker approach and has been described as "cut-throat".[5][6][7]

## Critical reception

[edit]

The song received generally positive reviews from critics. Tom Breihan of Stereogum wrote that the song "makes it clear, once again, that J.I.D is a masterful technical rapper who can also write a serious hook."[8] Chris DeVille of Stereogum wrote, "As for the track's leading man, he's switching up flows like it's nothing and toying with the English language on a level most rappers can't approach." Deville also noted JID's "marvelous flurry of syllables" and "sketching out a whole mural's worth of imagery in a single sentence fragment".[4] DeVille praised 21 Savage's verse as well, writing that he "once again shows off his mastery of this kind of soul loop" and comparing it to his song "A Lot".[4]

## Music video

[edit]

The official music video was released alongside the single. Directed by Mac Grant and Chad Tennies, the video opens with JID going into an older model vehicle. He starts rapping as he is driving, with women in the passenger seats of the car.[9] In a garage, he raps while surrounded by women, and is seen atop a car.[7][9] 21 Savage performs his verse standing next to JID. Baby Tate sings while lying on top of a car.[9] When the beat switches, the video transitions to black and white. The scene changes to that of an "eerie" house, where JID raps the last verse. Multiple clones of him are also seen in the house.[9][10]

## Live performances

[edit]

On September 8, 2022, JID appeared on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts, which featured full-band performances of "Surround Sound" among other hit singles.[11] On January 8, 2024, JID performed the viral song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[12]

## Use in other media

[edit]

The song is featured on the soundtrack of the 2022 video game NBA 2K23.[13]

On March 1, 2024, the song became a microtransaction in the rhythm video game Fortnite Festival.

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Surround Sound"  | Chart (2022–2024)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[14] | 27
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[15] | 5
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] | 65
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] | 27
Germany (GfK)[18] | 66
Global 200 (Billboard)[19] | 49
Ireland (IRMA)[20] | 45
Latvia (LAIPA)[21] | 10
Lithuania (AGATA)[22] | 14
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23] | 21
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[24] | 99
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] | 60
UK Singles (OCC)[26] | 35
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[27] | 12
US Billboard Hot 100[28] | 40
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[29] | 13
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[30] | 1

### Year-end charts

[edit]

2024 year-end chart performance for "Surround Sound"  | Chart (2024)  | Position

|

US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[31] | 36
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[32] | 11

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Surround Sound"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[33] | Platinum  | 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[34] | Platinum  | 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[35] | Platinum  | 80,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[36] | 2× Platinum  | 60,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[37] | Platinum  | 50,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] | Silver  | 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[39] | 3× Platinum  | 3,000,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[40] | Gold  | 1,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Young, Molly (2023-11-20). "TikTok has found the best 'twerking angle' thanks to easy trick you can do at home". HITC. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
2. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (January 14, 2022). "J.I.D Drops Video for "Surround Sound" f/ 21 Savage and Baby Tate". Complex.
3. ^ Marie, Erika (2022-01-14). "J.I.D Connects With 21 Savage & Baby Tate On "Surround Sound"". HotNewHipHop.
4. ^ a b c d e "The 5 Best Songs Of The Week". Stereogum. 2022-01-21.
5. ^ a b Fu, Eddie (January 14, 2022). "Rap Song of the Week: J.I.D Goes Toe-to-Toe with 21 Savage on "Surround Sound"". Consequence.
6. ^ a b Okon, Wongo (2022-01-14). "JID, 21 Savage, And Baby Tate Fire Shots Louder Than 'Surround Sound'". Uproxx.
7. ^ a b c Brereton, Greta (2022-01-16). "Listen to J.I.D team up with 21 Savage and Baby Tate on new single 'Surround Sound'". NME.
8. ^ Breihan, Tom (2022-01-14). "JID Teams Up With 21 Savage & Baby Tate On Excellent New Single "Surround Sound": Listen". Stereogum.
9. ^ a b c d HesAlwaysWrite (2022-01-14). "J.I.D Drops "Surround Sound" Video Featuring 21 Savage & Baby Tate". The Source.
10. ^ Helfand, Raphael (January 14, 2022). "J.I.D shares "Surround Sound" with 21 Savage and Baby Tate". The FADER.
11. ^ Griffin, Marc (September 9, 2022). "JID Tells 'The Forever Story' On NPR's 'Tiny Desk'". Vibe. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
12. ^ Rizzo, Carita (January 8, 2024). "Watch J.I.D. Perform Viral Hit 'Surround Sound' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
13. ^ "Official NBA 2K23 Soundtrack by César Muela Ruiz". Retrieved April 11, 2024 - via Apple Music.
14. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
15. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
16. ^ "JID Feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate – Surround Sound" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
17. ^ "J.I.D-2 Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
18. ^ "JID / 21 Savage / Baby Tate – Surround Sound" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
19. ^ "J.I.D-2 Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
20. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
21. ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 47. nedēļa" (in English and Latvian). LAIPA. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
22. ^ "2023 47-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
23. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
24. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 2. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
25. ^ "JID Feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate – Surround Sound". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
27. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
28. ^ "J.I.D-2 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
29. ^ "J.I.D-2 Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
30. ^ "J.I.D-2 Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
31. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
32. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
33. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
34. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – JID – Surround Sound" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
35. ^ "Canadian single certifications – JID – Surround Sound". Music Canada. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
36. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – JID feat. 21 Savage and Baby Tate – Surround Sound". Radioscope. Retrieved December 25, 2024. Type Surround Sound  in the "Search:" field.
37. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 23, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Surround Sound in the search box.
38. ^ "British single certifications – JID ft 21 Savage & Baby Tate – Surround Sound". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
39. ^ "American single certifications – JID – Surround Sound". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
40. ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 09/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved March 7, 2024.

* v
* t
* e

JID

Discography

Studio albums|

* The Never Story (2017)
* DiCaprio 2 (2018)
* The Forever Story (2022)

Compilation albums|

* Revenge of the Dreamers III (2019)
* D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape (2022)

Collaboration albums|

* Spilligion (with Spillage Village and EarthGang) (2020)

Singles|

* "Never"
* "151 Rum"
* "Off Deez"
* "Enemy"
* "Surround Sound"
* "Talk About Me"
* "Dance Now"

Featured singles|

* "Down Bad"
* "Costa Rica"

Other songs|

* "Danger (Spider)"
* "Stick"
* "Fuel"

Related articles|

* Dreamville Records
* Spillage Village

* v
* t
* e

21 Savage

Discography

Studio albums|

* Issa Album (2017)
* I Am > I Was (2018)
* American Dream (2024)

Collaborative albums|

* Without Warning (with Offset & Metro Boomin) (2017)
* Savage Mode II (with Metro Boomin) (2020)
* Her Loss (with Drake) (2022)

Extended plays|

* Savage Mode (with Metro Boomin) (2016)
* Spiral: From the Book of Saw Soundtrack (2021)

Singles|

* "Red Opps"
* "X"
* "No Heart"
* "Bank Account"
* "Cocky"
* "A Lot"
* "Monster"
* "Immortal"
* "Mr. Right Now"
* "Runnin"
* "My Life"
* "Don't Play That"
* "Peru" (Remix)
* "Rich Flex"
* "Circo Loco"
* "Creepin'"
* "Spin Bout U"
* "Good Good"
* "Another One of Me"
* "Redrum"
* "N.H.I.E."
* "Née-Nah"
* "Prove It"
* "GBP"

Featured singles|

* "Sneakin' "
* "Gucci on My"
* "Rockstar"
* "Pull Up N Wreck"
* "Krippy Kush (Remix)"
* "Bartier Cardi"
* "Enzo"
* "Floating"
* "Focus"
* "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)"
* "Opp Stoppa" (Remix)
* "Let It Go"
* "Number 2"
* "Who Want Smoke??"
* "Knife Talk"
* "Surround Sound"
* "Cash In Cash Out"
* "Jimmy Cooks"
* "06 Gucci"
* "Peaches & Eggplants"
* "Sittin' on Top of the World" (Remix)

Other songs|

* "Ghostface Killers"
* "Rap Saved Me"
* "BBO (Bad Bitches Only)"
* "Don't Come Out the House"
* "10 Freaky Girls"
* "Can't Leave Without It"
* "Ball w/o You"
* "Wish Wish"
* "Yessirskiii"
* "Glock in My Lap"
* "Rich Nigga Shit"
* "My Dawg"
* "Major Distribution"
* "On BS"
* "Pussy & Millions"
* "3AM on Glenwood"
* "Umbrella"
* "Niagara Falls (Foot or 2)"
* "Walk Em Down (Don't Kill Civilians)"
* "War Bout It"
* "Wit da Racks"
* "Want Me Dead"
* "Topia Twins"
* "Turks & Caicos"
* "Calling for You"
* "All of Me"
* "Sneaky"
* "Pop Ur Shit"
* "Dangerous"
* "It's Up"
* "Outfit"

Related articles|

* The Off-Season Tour (2021)
* It's All a Blur Tour (2023)
* American Dream Tour (2024)

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