Ex Calling
| "Ex Calling" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by 6lack | ||||
| from the album Free 6lack | ||||
| Released | July 25, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2016 | |||
| Genre | Alternative R&B | |||
| Length | 3:31 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| 6lack singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Ex Calling" on YouTube | ||||
"Ex Calling" is the debut single by American singer 6lack. It was first released on May 17, 2016[1] before being released to streaming services on July 25, 2016[2] as the lead single from his debut studio album Free 6lack (2016). Produced by Southside and DZL, the song is a remix of "Perkys Calling" by American rapper Future from the mixtape Purple Reign (2016).
Background
[edit]In an interview with Genius, 6lack revealed the song was referring to all of his previous romantic partners. He stated, "'Ex Calling' was literally a collage of all my exes. I just combined them into one mega ex and just made a song about all of them. She was in there somewhere. I just fused them all into the greatest ex of all time."[3]
Composition
[edit]The production contains sparse piano and "alternating bass kicks that speed up the pace".[4] Lyrically, 6lack reflects on his past relationships,[5] especially dealing with his self-growth following a toxic relationship[6] and refusal to answer the phone when his ex calls him.[3]
Music video
[edit]The music video was released on December 5, 2016. Shot in black-and-white, it sees 6lack wandering through town[7] and visiting a strip club,[5][7][8] where he throws money on some dancers.[8]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[9] | 24 |
| US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[10] | 3 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[11] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[12] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[13] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "6LACK - Ex Calling (Audio)". YouTube. May 17, 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "Ex Calling - Single". Free6lack.com. July 25, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ a b "6LACK "Ex Calling" Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified". YouTube. March 1, 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ Duricy, Brian (30 November 2016). "6lack: Free 6lack". PopMatters. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ a b Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (December 5, 2016). "6LACK Shares "Ex Calling" Video". The Fader. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "Free 6lack". Exclaim!. November 17, 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ a b Berry, Peter A. (December 5, 2016). "6LACK Can Hear His 'Ex Calling' in His New Video". XXL. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ a b Goddard, Kevin (December 6, 2016). "6LACK "Ex Calling" Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "6lack Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ "6LACK Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – 6lack – Ex Calling". Music Canada. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – 6lack – Ex Calling". Radioscope. Retrieved 2 April 2025. Type Ex Calling in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "American single certifications – 6lack – Ex Calling". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 2, 2025.