Vodka Bomb

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"Vodka Bomb"
Single by Kenya
from the album Harlem Renaissance
Released February 7, 2011 (2011-02-07)
Format CD · Digital download
Recorded 2010
Genre Dubstep · Grime
Label Saturdays Records
Writer(s) Twisted Disco
Producer Twisted Disco
Kenya singles chronology
"White Bitches (Pat My Weave)"
(2010)
"Vodka Bomb"
(2011)
"Better Than Midnight"
(2011)

"Vodka Bomb" is a song performed by American recording artist Kenya for her debut solo album Harlem Renaissance (2011). The song was written and produced by Calvin Andrews, also known as Twisted Disco. Musically, "Vodka Bomb" blends pulsating industrial and dance beats with elements of grime. The chorus has lilting synths that lift Kenya's vocals and contrast them with the hard beats. The song features a dubstep-influenced breakdown.

Most reviewers praised "Vodka Bomb", although some criticized its bandwagoning of the dubstep trend. The song became Kenya's first number one single, either as a solo artist or as a member of girl group Tiger Tiger. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Anthony Mandler. It premiered on February 7, 2011, following a two-week promotional campaign of teasers. The video received mixed to positive reviews; critics complimented its artistic concept and visuals, but dismissed the use of product placement. Kenya performed the song on her first headlining tour, the Harlem Renaissance Tour (2011).

Background and composition[edit | edit source]

After releasing the multiplatinum album From Rags to Bitches (2009) with hip–hop girl group Tiger Tiger, Kenya began working on her debut solo album. Becoming inspired by EDM and dubstep music, Kenya approached dance producers DJ Double Garage and Twisted Disco. The latter wrote and produced "Vodka Bomb", which Kenya chose to release alongside the album as its second official single. "Vodka Bomb" is a dance-pop song that blends pulsating industrial beats with elements of grime and dubstep.

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

"Vodka Bomb" has received positive reviews from most critics. Nick Levine of Digital Spy felt the song had a "clubby and au courant" feel. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian referred to "Vodka Bomb" as a response to Kenya trying to move on from her "gangster", hip–hop image. Michael Cragg of British newspaper The Guardian called it "decent enough." William Goodman of Spin magazine was more critical and dismissive of the song, saying "'Vodka Bomb' is a total let down: clunky, Auto-Tuned vocals over dark atmospherics and a spare dub beat that fails to connect."

Chart performance[edit | edit source]

"Vodka Bomb" entered the official singles chart at number one, becoming Kenya's first chart–topper. It sold 255,181 copies in its chart run, enough (at the time) for a platinum certification.