Teqkilla

Summary

"Teqkilla" is a song by British recording artist M.I.A. from her third studio album, Maya (2010). The track was written by Maya "M.I.A." Arulpragasam, Rusko, Switch, John Hill and Cherry Byron-Withers. Production of the song was handled by M.I.A., Rusko, Switch and Hill.[1]

"Teqkilla"
Single by M.I.A.
from the album Maya
Released29 June 2010 (2010-06-29)
Genre
Length6:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
M.I.A. singles chronology
"Steppin Up"
(2010)
"Teqkilla"
(2010)
"Tell Me Why"
(2010)

The song references alcohol and cannabis in its lyrics.[2] M.I.A. namechecks several brands of alcohol, notably Chivas Regal, owned by Seagram, which in turn belonged to her then-fiancé Benjamin Bronfman's family.[3]

The song was released worldwide as a digital download, under license to XL Recordings and N.E.E.T. Recordings, on 16 June 2010 as the fourth single from the album. The 'Lost My Fone Out wiv Nicki Minaj Remix' of the song was made available in July 2010, and features a guest verse by Nicki Minaj.[4] M.I.A. performed "Teqkilla" at the 2010 Scream Awards,[5] and during the Maya Tour in 2010 and 2011. No music video was made for the single.

Critical response edit

The track received mixed opinions from music critics.[6][7][8]

It has been described as "a little insubstantial"[9] and a "throwaway", and its lyrics referred to as "inane"[10] and "nonsense".[7] Some also criticized the track's running time of over 6 minutes.[8][11][12]

On the other hand, "Teqkilla" was noted for its "rousing beat" and "catchy chorus",[13] and named not only "one of the better songs from the album",[14] but also one of the 10 best M.I.A. songs ever.[15]

Track listing edit

Digital download[16]
  1. "Teqkilla" – 6:19

Charts edit

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] 93
Canada (Canadian Digital Songs)[18] 65
US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard)[19] 11

Release history edit

Region Date Format Label
Worldwide 29 June 2010 Digital download, streaming XL Recordings, N.E.E.T. Recordings

References edit

  1. ^ Maya (deluxe edition liner notes). M.I.A. N.E.E.T Recordings. 2010. XLCD497X.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ Ann Powers (7 July 2010). "Album review: M.I.A.'s MAYA album". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^ "M.I.A. – "Teqkilla" - Stereogum". stereogum.com. 29 June 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  4. ^ Ryan Dombal (6 July 2010). "Nicki Minaj Jumps on M.I.A. Remix". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  5. ^ Becky Bain (22 October 2010). "Stare in Horror at M.I.A.'s Scream Awards Performance". idolator.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  6. ^ Matthew Perpetua (12 July 2010). "M.I.A.: / \ / \ / \ Y / \ Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  7. ^ a b Matthew Bennett. "BBC - Music - Review of M.I.A. - /\/\/\Y/\". BBC. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Album Review: /\/\ /\ Y /\ (Maya) | The Black Tongue". theblacktongue.net. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Track by Track: M.I.A.'s // / Y / - FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". factmag.com. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  10. ^ Emily Bick (13 July 2010). "The Quietus | Reviews | MIA". thequietus.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  11. ^ Becky Bain (29 June 2010). "M.I.A. Takes A Shot Of "Teqkilla" On Her Insane New Track". idolator.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  12. ^ Rob Harvilla (13 July 2010). "M.I.A. Is Mad at You". villagevoice.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  13. ^ "New Music: M.I.A. – 'Teqkilla' | Rap-Up". rap-up.com. 29 June 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  14. ^ Bradley Stern (5 July 2010). "Down the Drink: M.I.A. Offers Remix of "Teqkilla" featuring Nicki Minaj". muumuse.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  15. ^ Claire Lobenfeld (6 November 2013). "The 10 Best M.I.A. Songs - Stereogum". stereogum.com. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Teqkilla - Single". iTunes. 29 June 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  17. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  18. ^ "M.I.A. - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  19. ^ "M.I.A. - Chart history | Billboard". billboard. Retrieved 26 April 2016.