The Illest

2013 single by Far East Movement featuring Riff Raff or ScHoolboy Q

"The Illest"

Single by Far East Movement featuring Riff Raff or ScHoolboy Q
from the album  Dirty Bass and Ktown Riot
Released| July 2, 2013 (2013-07-02)
(for version w/ RiFF RAFF)
April 16, 2014 (2014-04-16)
(for version w/ ScHoolboy Q)
Recorded| 2013
Genre|

* Trap-pop
* hip house

Length| 3:40
Label| Cherrytree/Interscope
Songwriter(s)|

* Andreas Schuller
* Eric Frederic
* Kevin "Kev Nish" Nishimura
* James "Prohgress" Roh
* Jae "J-Splif" Choung
* DJ Virman Coquia
* Quincey Hanley
* Horst Simco
* Bobby Ray Simmons Jr

Producer(s)| Axident, Wallpaper.[1]
Far East Movement singles chronology
| "Get Up (Rattle)"
(2012)  | "The Illest"
(2013)  | "Bang It to the Curb"
(2014)

|
|

Riff Raff singles chronology
| "Dolce and Gabbana"
(2013)  | "The Illest"
(2013)  | "Mr. Popular"
(2013)

|
|

ScHoolboy Q singles chronology
| "2 On"
(2014)  | "The Illest"
(2014)  | "Studio"
(2014)

|
|

Music video
"The Illest" on YouTube

"The Illest" is a song by American hip hop group Far East Movement. The song was co-written and produced by Norwegian music producer and songwriter Axident and Wallpaper. aka Ricky Reed, and features a guest appearance from American rapper Riff Raff. It was released digitally as a single on July 2, 2013 and has since peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs. "The Illest" was featured as a bonus track and a single from the 2013 Special Edition release of their fourth studio album Dirty Bass (becoming the album's fifth single overall).

## Background

[edit]

"The Illest" was originally featured on Far East Movement released a mixtape titled GRZZLY that was released on May 29, 2013. Then a few days later the group released a new version of the song, now featuring rapper Riff Raff.[2] On July 2, 2013, the new version was released for digital download as a single by Cherrytree Records and Interscope Records.[3][4] Far East Movement then created a Tumblr titled FuckYeahIllest to help promote the song.[5] The song was then featured on their EP Murder Was the Bass, which was released on December 9, 2013.[6] They also have said the song would be featured on their upcoming fifth studio album.[7]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by Mike Clattenburg and filmed at Los Angeles Center Studios. It was released on July 23, 2013, with an cameo appearance by Hugh Jackman.[5] It features a blindingly dull office getting raided and destroyed by Far East Movement and Riff Raff, in a manner that nods to Office Space and Workaholics.[8] Additionally the music video features cameo appearances from Lil Debbie, Dumbfoundead, Jeffree Star, Nice Peter, Watsky among other popular YouTube personalities.[5][9]

A second music video was released on April 15, 2014 in support of their Ktown Riot EP. The video was inspired by the Koreatown riots of 1992. Snoop Dogg makes a cameo appearance, as well as Los Angeles / Koreatown residents Tokimonsta. Riff Raff is also seen performing his verse.[10]

A video was also made using a mash-up of the Deorro and Victor Niglio remixes. It was published to YouTube through the group's Vevo channel on December 10, 2013, and features scenes from The Illest Tour.[11]

## Remix

[edit]

On March 4, 2014, the official remix, mixed by DJ Eman, was released. The remix features guest appearances by Schoolboy Q and B.o.B, as well as Riff Raff's verse from the original.[12][13] On April 16, 2014, an alternate version of the song, featuring a slightly altered arrangement and vocals from Schoolboy Q, was released as a digital download.[14][15][16] This version was included as the lead track on their late-2014 EP Ktown Riot.

## Track listing

[edit]

2013 digital download (version with Riff Raff)No.| Title| Writer(s)| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "The Illest" (featuring Riff Raff)| Andreas Schuller, Eric Frederic, Kevin Nishimura, Jae Choung, James Roh, Virman Coquia, Horst Simco| Axident, Wallpaper.| 3:40

2014 digital download (version with Schoolboy Q)No.| Title| Writer(s)| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "The Illest" (featuring ScHoolboy Q)| Andreas Schuller, Eric Frederic, Kevin Nishimura, Jae Choung, James Roh, Virman Coquia, Quincey Hanley| Axident, Wallpaper.| 3:40

The Illest (Remixes)No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "The Illest (DEORRO Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)| 3:35
2.| "The Illest (Victor Niglio Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)| 4:20
3.| "The Illest (Kronic Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)| 4:42
4.| "The Illest (Rell The Soundbender Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)| 4:42
5.| "The Illest (KTown Shekki X Savagez Remix)" (featuring Riff Raff)| 6:19

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

* Lead vocals – Far East Movement
* Producers – Axident, Wallpaper.
* Writers – A. Schuller, R. Reed, K. Nishimura, J. Roh, J. Choung, V. Coquia, J. Christian
* Label: Cherrytree Records / Interscope Records

## Chart performance

[edit]

Chart (2014)  | Peak
position

|

Germany (Deutsche Black Charts)[17] | 20
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[18] | 7
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[19] | 18
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[20] | 21

## Release history

[edit]

for version w/ RiFF RAFF

Country  | Date  | Format  | Label
United States
Canada  | July 2, 2013[3][4] | Digital download – single  | Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records
February 4, 2014[21] | Rhythmic contemporary radio airplay
April 22, 2014[22] | Digital download – Remixes
for version w/ ScHoolboy Q
Country  | Date  | Format  | Label
United States
Canada  | April 16, 2014[15][16] | Digital download – single  | Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Far East Movement Wreak Havoc on Office in 'The Illest' Music Video". 97.1 AMP RADIO. CBS Local Media. 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
2. ^ "Far East Movement x Riff Raff – The Illest | Stream". DJBooth.net. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
3. ^ a b "iTunes – Music – The Illest (feat. Riff Raff) – Single by Far East Movement". iTunes. Apple. 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
4. ^ a b "The Illest [feat. Riff Raff] [Explicit]: Far East Movement: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
5. ^ a b c "Far East Movement f/ Riff Raff "The Illest"". Complex. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
6. ^ "Far East Movement's 'Murder Was The Bass' EP Steps Up The BPMs". Vibe. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
7. ^ "Far East Movement and Riff Raff on 'The Illest' Music Video Set | Watch the video". Yahoo Celebrity. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
8. ^ "Watch RiFF RaFF and Far East Movement Update 'Office Space' in 'The Illest' Video". SPIN. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
9. ^ "Far East Movement ft. Riff Raff: The Illest (Music Video)". BallerStatus.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
10. ^ "The Illest (Ktown Riot Edit)". YouTube. FarEastMovementVEVO. 2014-04-15.
11. ^ "The Illest (Deorro vs Victor Niglio remix)". YouTube. FarEastMovementVEVO. 2013-12-10.
12. ^ "Far East Movement f. RiFF RaFF, ScHoolboy Q & B.o.B – "The Illest (Remix)"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
13. ^ "New Music: Far East Movement Feat. Riff Raff, Schoolboy Q And B.O.B "The Illest" (Remix By DJ EMAN)". Vibe. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
14. ^ "New Music: Far East Movement feat. Schoolboy Q "The Illest" (Alternate Mix)". MissInfo.tv. 2014-04-17.
15. ^ a b "iTunes – Music – The Illest (feat. Schoolboy Q) – Single by Far East Movement". iTunes. Apple. 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
16. ^ a b "The Illest [feat. ScHoolboy Q] [Explicit]: Far East Movement: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
17. ^ "Deutsche Black Charts: KW 17". Trendcharts. Media Control. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
18. ^ "Far East Movement Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
19. ^ "Far East Movement Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
20. ^ "Far East Movement Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
21. ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
22. ^ "iTunes – Music – The Illest (Remixes) [feat. Riff Raff] – EP by Far East Movement". iTunes. Apple. 2014-04-22.

* v
* t
* e

Far East Movement

* Kev Nish
* Prohgress
* DJ Virman

* J-Splif

Studio albums|

* Free Wired
* Dirty Bass
* Identity

Singles|

* "Like a G6"
* "Rocketeer"
* "2gether"
* "If I Was You (OMG)"
* "Jello"
* "Live My Life"
* "Dirty Bass"
* "Turn Up the Love"
* "Change Your Life"
* "The Illest"

Featured singles|

* "Get Up (Rattle)"

Related articles|

* Discography

* v
* t
* e

Riff Raff

Studio albums|

* Neon Icon (2014)
* Peach Panther (2016)

Collaboration albums|

* ¡Three Loco! (with Three Loco)

Singles|

* "Tip Toe Wing in My Jawwdinz"

Featured singles|

* "The Illest"
* "This Is How We Do (Remix)"

Related articles|

* Discography
* Diplo
* From G's to Gents (season 2)
* Mad Decent
* Three Loco
* Aquaberry Aquarius

* v
* t
* e

Schoolboy Q

* Discography

Studio albums|

* Setbacks (2011)
* Habits & Contradictions (2012)
* Oxymoron (2014)
* Blank Face LP (2016)
* Crash Talk (2019)
* Blue Lips (2024)

Singles|

* "Hands on the Wheel"
* "Collard Greens"
* "Man of the Year"
* "Studio"
* "Hell of a Night"
* "That Part"
* "Numb Numb Juice"
* "Chopstix"
* "Floating"
* "Yeern 101"

Featured singles|

* "White Walls"
* "2 On"
* "The Illest"
* "Bitches N Marijuana"
* "Rockabye Baby"
* "Pac-Man"

Promotional singles|

* "Yay Yay"
* "Break the Bank"
* "Thought I Was Dead"

Other songs|

* "PMW (All I Really Need)"
* "What They Want"
* "Vice City"
* "Electric Body"

Related articles|

* Black Hippy

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