"Middle Child"
Song by PnB Rock and XXXTentacion
from the album TrapStar Turnt PopStar
ReleasedMay 3, 2019
Length2:31
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)DatKidChris
Music video
"Middle Child" on YouTube

"Middle Child" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rappers PnB Rock and XXXTentacion, released from the former's second studio album TrapStar Turnt PopStar on May 3, 2019. It was produced by DatKidChris.

Background

PnB Rock told Apple Music about his collaboration with XXXTentacion: "He really surprised me with 'MIDDLE CHILD,' because I wasn't even expecting to do that type of song with him. I was thinking I was gonna go one route, talking about how I came up, talking about how I got kicked out my mama's house. But he came on it and just started swagging on it. I'm like, nah, I gotta match that energy. I can't be so serious when he just having fun with this."[1]

Composition

The song finds PnB Rock and XXXTentacion trading "melodious bars" over a "distinctly trap soundscape".[2] In the chorus, Rock reflects on his difficult childhood life, being the middle child of his family, and his legal trouble as a teenager. XXX boasts about having lots of money.[3]

Music video

The official music video was released on August 8, 2019. Directed by Derek Pike, it depicts child versions of PnB Rock and XXXTentacion. They hang out on a porch while watching action on the street, and connect a smoothie with chips, cream and a toy car, which they call "trap juice".[4][5] They sell it for $5 a cup in their front yard.[4][6] The drink becomes a financial success and soon the rappers have bought new chains with their profits.[4] At the end of the video, PnB Rock cross his arms in an "X" symbol, as a tribute to the late XXXTentacion.[4][6]

According to PnB Rock, he wanted the visual to be "fun and light-hearted" and remind him of the times he spent with XXXTentacion. He also received approval from X's mother Cleopatra Bernard to release the video.[5]

Charts

Chart (2019) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[7] 18
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 91
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] 37

References

  1. ↑ "TrapStar Turnt PopStar - Apple Music". Apple Music. May 3, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  2. ↑ Fitzgerald, Trent (May 3, 2019). "PnB Rock "Middle Child" Featuring XXXTentacion: Listen to New Song". XXL. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  3. ↑ Mench, Chris (May 3, 2019). "PnB Rock's XXXTentacion Collab "Middle Child" Is A Reflection On The Philly Artist's Rough Childhood". Genius. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Zidel, Alex (August 8, 2019). "Young Versions Of XXXTentacion & PnB Rock Star In "Middle Child"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Espinoza, Joshua (August 8, 2019). "Premiere: Watch PnB Rock's New Video for "Middle Child" f/ XXXTentacion". Complex. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Saponara, Michael (August 8, 2019). "PnB Rock Shows His Bond With XXXTentacion in 'Middle Child' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  7. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  8. ↑ "PnB Rock Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  9. ↑ "PnB Rock Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
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