I Been On That

"I Been On That" is a song performed by American recording artist Kenya from her second studio album as a solo artist, Romanticism (2014). After scoring a hat trick of hits and a number one album with Loretta Lambert under the moniker Birds of Prey, "I Been on That" was released as the lead single from Kenya's album on August 18, 2014, three years after her last solo release. It was co-written by Kenya together with Michael "Mike WiLL Made-It" Williams II, who also handled the song's production.

The song was written by Kenya "in 15 minutes" after she returned home to Brooklyn, New York. Kenya comments on the the types of people she encounters ("Your look is tired and your game is weak") and aggressively exclaims, "I been on that". It is a trap-influenced song, with a dirty groove and a clattering beat. Upon its release, the song was received positively by music critics who widely discussed its lyrics in the context of Kenya's highly publicized feud with Lambert. After release as a single, "I Been On That" charted at number three and became the best selling single of Kenya's solo career at the time. It was nominated for Best R&B/Urban Single at the 26th Urapopstar Awards.

A music video for the song was directed by Hype Williams and portrayed Kenya robbing a bank while wielding firearms. The video was criticized by African-American figures like Rev. Al Sharpton as well as the American Family Association for its portrayal of gun violence. Kenya defended the video and felt it important to "show black people in positions of power" in a post–Ferguson context.

Background and composition
Kenya released her debut solo album Harlem Renaissance in 2011 before reuniting with girl group Tiger Tiger and subsequently joining forces with Loretta Lambert as "superduo" Birds of Prey. In July 2014, Kenya revealed that she had been working on a second studio album, Romanticism (2014), and signed a solo record deal with Blacklight Records. "I Been On That" was announced as a buzz single to be released that August. It was noted that the song is a "red herring" in that it doesn't reflect themes of love and romance that the rest of the album hones in on. "I Been On That" was written by Kenya Harlem and Michael Williams II, who provided production under the moniker Mike WiLL Made-It. It is "a staccato, trap-flavored track" with a dirty groove and a clattering beat.

Kenya told Vibe magazine that she wrote the lyrics for the song "in 15 minutes" after she returned home to Brooklyn, New York for the first time in a year. She said that she was "agitated by the retail zombies and sheep […] Everyone follows the herd." She added, "I got pissed off at all the people on the 2 line who looked dead in the eyes." In the song, Kenya comments on trends and individuals before exclaiming, "I been on that." In the song's middle–8, she sings: "How could these bitches be so blind? / These fatherless hoes can't tell time!" The single was released on August 18, 2014, accompanied by an Aaliyah and Frank Ocean mash-up "Thinkin' 'Bout A Million".

Critical reception
"I Been On That" received mixed reviews from music critics. Andy Kellman of AllMusic called it "convincing," writing that "she's at her best when she's flaunting." Kellman also noted that "I Been On That" is "a characteristically chilly and booming Mike Will collaboration," also praising "Kenya's trash talk," writing that "it's something else." Alex Macpherson of Fact wrote that "Kenya goes through mere scornful contempt and terrifies with her blank, relentless focus." Caryn Ganz of Spin called it "moody and murky." Andrew Hampp of Billboard named it "an irresistible, Mike WiLL-produced banger for the ladies." However, cultural critic Camille Paglia praised the song highly, saying in an interview in October 2014 that "[i]n the past year, the only things that sparked my enthusiasm and gave me hope for an artistic revival were in pop music[, one being] the bragadoccio of Kenya's 'I Been On That'."

Chart performance
Following its single release, "I Been On That" charted at number three on the official singles chart, becoming Kenya's fourth top three hit as a solo artist. It also peaked at numbers three and five on the digital and airplay charts respectively. The song proved to be a steady seller, selling over 400,000 copies in its time on the chart as Kenya's best selling single to that point. Receiving a gold certification, "I Been On That" shifted 416,061 copies overall.

Music video
A music video for "I Been On That" was directed by Hype Williams, known for his flashy hip-hop visuals. It premiered on August 12, 2014. The clip sees Kenya lead an armed bank robbery, wielding firearms in a fedora with a bare midriff. In other scenes, Kenya sings against a blank backdrop in a revealing "cage dress".

The video was condemned by the American Family Association, who commented: "With all of the gun violence and school shootings in our country, our children shouldn't be exposed to more of it from popstars." Kenya defended herself against the criticisms on Twitter. "It's important for black youth to see black people in positions of power," she tweeted before adding, "especially with examples of police brutality all over the country in places like #Ferguson." These comments drew the ire of Rev. Al Sharpton, who tweeted: "The President and First Lady. Oprah. Queen Latifah. These are strong black role models – not gangsters and robbers." Sharpton also criticized Kenya for using a "tragedy [the Ferguson riots] to defend her poor artistic choices."

Track listing

 * CD / Digital single
 * 1) "I Been On That"
 * 2) "Thinkin' 'Bout A Million"


 * Digital EP
 * 1) "I Been On That"
 * 2) "I Been On That" (Billionaire Remix)
 * 3) "I Been On That" (Kaskade Club Remix)