"Traktor" is a song by Tottenham-born rapper Wretch 32, featuring vocals from British singer L Marshall (credited as "L" on the release).[1] It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Black and White, on 16 January 2011. A 12" vinyl was released the following day. On 23 January 2011, the single debuted at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart;[2] also managing to reach number 2 on both the R&B chart and the independent releases chart.[3][4] The song title refers to Traktor, the Native Instruments DJ software of the same name.
| "Traktor" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Wretch 32 featuring L Marshall | ||||
| from the album Black and White | ||||
| Released | 16 January 2011 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:38 | |||
| Label | Ministry of Sound | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Yogi | |||
| Wretch 32 singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| L singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Traktor" was selected by Reggie Yates as The Weekend Anthem on BBC Radio 1 for 18 – 19 December 2010.[5]
Background
editSpeaking to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis – assistant editor of Blues & Soul – in December 2010 Wretch stated: "'Traktor' is actually about a dad talking to his child. Like on the intro the dad is saying 'Hey, go get a job' and basically telling his son to get outta the house. Then the chorus is actually the son explaining what's going on in his life. Like he's quit school; he hasn't got a job yet; his girl's upset 'cause she's pregnant and – though his daughter's on the way – he keeps on clubbing and raving... But yet through it all he knows that he rides the beat like a TRACTOR – that he's a great RAPPER! You know, though everything is so wild in his life he literally does know that he has got a talent and he wants to stick with it... So yeah, it's basically all about having a gift and taking a risk with the music and BELIEVING in it. Which is pretty much how it is for ME!".[6]
Critical reception
editNick Levine of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating: "Though he sounds like a mere number from the Dickensian workhouse, there's nothing anonymous about this debut single."[7]
Chart performance
edit"Traktor" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 23 January 2011 at number 5;[2] marking the week's third highest new entry behind Diddy-Dirty Money and Adele. The following week, the single fell two places to number 7; falling out of the top ten to number 12 on 6 February. The single spent a total of six weeks within the top 40, falling to number 44 on its seventh week on 6 March. The single also debuted at number 2 on the R&B singles chart[3] behind Diddy-Dirty Money and Skylar Grey's "Coming Home" and at number two on the independent releases chart[4] behind Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". The single also debuted in Ireland and Scotland at number 45 on 28 January[8]
Music video
editA music video to accompany the release of the single "Traktor" was first released on YouTube on 9 November 2010, directed by Ben Newman. The video lasts 3 minutes and 47 seconds long. The video opens with the digits '32' forming out of ice; before the song begins, in which Wretch 32, L and FKA twigs are all show in between the flashing of lights. The video takes place in an underground and empty car park and features Wretch 32 and L performing along with the song, while FKA twigs mimics the song by playing the drums; also dancing. Rapper Chipmunk makes a cameo appearance at the end of the video.[9]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Traktor" (radio edit – clean) | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Traktor" (Dawood & Preston remix – clean) | 4:04 |
| 3. | "Traktor" (Brookes Brothers remix – clean) | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project remix – clean) | 4:42 |
| 5. | "Traktor" (Friction remix – clean) | 4:38 |
| 6. | "Traktor" (explicit edit) | 3:37 |
| 7. | "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Go Harder dub – clean) | 4:42 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Traktor" (radio edit) | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Traktor" (Dawood & Preston remix) | 4:04 |
| 3. | "Traktor" (Brookes Brothers remix) | 4:25 |
| 4. | "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project remix) | 4:42 |
| 5. | "Traktor" (Friction remix) | 4:38 |
| 6. | "Traktor" (explicit edit) | 3:37 |
| 7. | "Traktor" (Mike Delinquent Project Go Harder dub) | 4:42 |
| 8. | "Traktor" (instrumental edit) | 3:38 |
Charts
editCertifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[13] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland[14] | 16 January 2011 | Digital download |
| United Kingdom[15] | 16 January 2011 | |
| 17 January 2011 | Vinyl |
References
edit- ^ L Marshall Music
- ^ a b c "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ a b c "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
- ^ a b c "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
- ^ BBC Radio 1 - Switch - 20 December 2010 - Tracklisting, Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- ^ Stephen Clark - Design. "Wretch 32: Ploughing on through". bluesandsoul.com.
- ^ Music – Singles Review – Wretch 32: 'Traktor'. Digital Spy (16 January 2011). Retrieved on 23 January 2011.
- ^ a b "Chart Track: Week 04, 2011". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ Wretch 32 - Traktor - Music Video, YouTube, Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ "Wretch 32 – Traktor (2010, CD)". Discogs.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "End of Year Chart 2011" (PDF). ChartsPlus. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Wretch 32 ft L – Traktor". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Traktor (Remixes) [feat. L] by Wretch 32". iTunes.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Traktor (Remixes) [feat. L] by Wretch 32". iTunes.