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"Let It Go" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American record producer DJ Khaled, featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber and British-American rapper 21 Savage. It was released on May 10, 2021, as the second single from Khaled's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled. Khaled, Bieber, and Savage wrote the song with producer SkipOnDaBeat, while the song was also produced by Al Cres. Deemed a "fun" song, it is supported by bouncy production and playful lyrics about not worrying over what cannot be controlled and, instead, "let it go".

Background

According to Justin Bieber's DJ and A&R coordinator, DJ Tay James, the instrumental of "Let It Go" originally came from the team of Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer Beam, who previously worked with Bieber a couple times earlier in 2021. Beam's team sent Bieber's camp the beat, which previously had a different song with different lyrics. Bieber decided to rewrite and record the song by himself, and later reached out to DJ Khaled. Finally, Khaled got a verse from 21 Savage. On May 2, 2021, both Khaled and Bieber put a behind-the-scenes video of the creation of the song, which does not include Savage.

Critical reception

Exclaim's Josiah Hughes said DJ Khaled's albums are "always good for a great Justin Bieber song", further calling it "another plucky-if-generic pop rap hit". In their album review, Anurag Tagat of Firstpost said "Let It Go" is "pretty much the best example of , a sweet production that fits just right for the artists". NME's Luke Morgan Britton called it an "odd brilliantly ludicrous combo". Similarly, Rolling Stone's Jeff Ihaza said it "defies all logic but is somehow the perfect song", citing Bieber's signature "bouncy and ebullient" production, 21's staccato cadence and ad-libs, and the duo's "magical" vocal registers. A.D Amorosi of Variety said the song allows Bieber "to croon elegantly and ruminate spiritually about the 'things I can't control', while the bassy voice of 21 Savage highlights the track's low end, beautifully". Ben Brutocao from HipHopDX called the track a highlight on Khaled Khaled, saying it pairs Bieber and Savage "on a sunny pop banger that flows as though from a glacial spring". Conversely, Pitchfork's Evan Rytlewski deemed the song one of the album's lowlights, stating it recycles the summery vibes of their first collaboration on Khaled's chart-topping 2017 single, "I'm the One", which also features American rappers Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne.

Music video

The official music video for "Let It Go" premiered on May 10, 2021. It was directed by Colin Tilley. It is set in the theme of a "carefree skit" and pays homage to Adam Sandler's 1996 comedy film Happy Gilmore. The video follows DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, and 21 Savage taking a different approach to golfing. Bieber portrays Sandler's character from the film, while Khaled, true to his "over-the-top" personality, plays Chubbs Peterson. As Khaled notices Bieber's talent for golf, he ropes him in to defeat their rival 21 Savage, who portrays the character Shooter McGavin. Khaled toasts with his billionaire friends at the We the Best Golf and Club, as his caddy, Bieber, confidently hits a hole-in-one from almost 100 yards away. They continue their antics amid the competition as they drive in their Lamborghini golf carts, until an alligator puts Bieber in danger; Khaled proceeds to wrestle the alligator to protect his newly discovered moneymaker. Khaled then rips off his shirt, and calls Bieber family, before checking the millions in his Chime account. The visual concludes with the trio cruising in their carts to the scoreboard, and enjoying a dance party. The visual was noted for having a large amount of product placements. Bieber also sports a Doug Gilmour jersey in the video.

Charts

References

1. W, Courtney (May 10, 2021). "DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber & 21 Savage Join Forces In Fun "Let It Go" Visuals". GRM Daily. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
2. "DJ Khaled secures third No. 1 album & drops new Justin Bieber & 21 Savage-assisted video". HipHopCanada. May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
3. Aramesh, Waiss (May 21, 2021). "What It's Like to Be Justin Bieber's DJ and A&R". Complex. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
4. Hughes, Josiah (May 11, 2021). "Justin Bieber and 21 Savage Have a 'Happy Gilmore'-Inspired Golf Feud in the New DJ Khaled Video". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
5. Tagat, Anurag (May 11, 2021). "Khaled Khaled review: DJ Khaled rounds up the best of pop music for a star-studded album". Firstpost. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
6. Britton, Luke Morgan (May 4, 2021). "DJ Khaled – 'Khaled Khaled' review: another one from the best schmoozer in the biz". NME. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
7. Ihaza, Jeff (May 10, 2021). "The Post-Pandemic Comfort of DJ Khaled's 'Khaled Khaled'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
8. Amorosi, A.D (April 30, 2021). "DJ Khaled Scores as Summer Party Host With Superstar-Studded 'Khaled Khaled': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
9. Brutocao, Ben (May 28, 2021). "DJ Khaled's 'Khaled Khaled' Album Proves He's Not Hip Hop's Quincy Jones". HipHopDX. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
10. Rytlewski, Evan (May 18, 2021). "DJ Khaled: Khaled Khaled Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
11. ^ "DJ Khaled Drops 'Let It Go' Video with Justin Bieber, 21 Savage". Rap-Up. May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
12. Peters, Daniel (May 11, 2021). "DJ Khaled plays golf with Justin Bieber and 21 Savage in music video for 'Let It Go'". NME. Retrieved May 11, 2021. The single is taken off the producer's latest album, 'Khaled Khaled'.
13. ^ Tigg, FNR (May 10, 2021). "Watch DJ Khaled, 21 Savage, and Justin Bieber Pay Homage to 'Happy Gilmore' in "Let It Go" Video". Complex. Retrieved May 11, 2021. DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, and 21 Savage flip the sport of golfing on its head in the video for their latest single, "Let it Go."
14. Mamo, Heran (May 10, 2021). "DJ Khaled Wrestles an Alligator While Justin Bieber & 21 Savage Golf For the Big Bucks in 'Let It Go' Video". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
15. Caraan, Sophie (May 11, 2021). "DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber and 21 Savage Share 'Happy Gilmore'-Inspired Visual for "Let It Go"". Hypebeast. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
16. "DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, 21 Savage drop music video for "Let it Go"". Lab.fm. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
17. Williams, Aaron (May 10, 2021). "DJ Khaled, 21 Savage, And Justin Bieber Take Over The LInks In The Gut-Busting 'Let It Go' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
18. Curto, Justin (May 10, 2021). "DJ Khaled's New Music Video Stars Justin Bieber and a Fake Alligator". Vulture. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
19. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
20. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
21. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
22. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
23. Arvunescu, Victor (July 12, 2021). "Top Airplay 100 - ,Jumătatea Mea Mai Bună' e piesa momentului!" [Top Airplay 100 - 'My Best Half' is the song of the moment!] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
24. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 18". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
25. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
26. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
27. Leight, Elias (May 10, 2021). "RS Charts: Polo G Holds Number One as Billie Eilish Debuts". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 10, 2021.

• 2021 singles
• 2021 songs
• DJ Khaled songs
• Songs written by DJ Khaled
• Justin Bieber songs
• Songs written by Justin Bieber
• 21 Savage songs
• Songs written by 21 Savage
• Pop-rap songs
• Music videos directed by Colin Tilley