Ball If I Want To

"Ball If I Want To"
"Ball If I Want To"
Single by DaBaby
Released	June 18, 2021
Length	1:52
Label	South Coast Music Group; Interscope;
Songwriters	Jonathan Kirk; David Doman;
Producer	D.A. Got That Dope
DaBaby singles chronology
Music video
	"Ball If I Want To" on YouTube

"Ball If I Want To" is a song by American rapper DaBaby, released on June 18, 2021, with an accompanying music video. It was produced by D.A. Got That Dope.^[1]

Background

The song was first previewed in a promotional video of DaBaby's performances at the Hard Rock Stadium on May 28 and 29, 2021.^[2] On June 17, he announced a "big surprise" at midnight in an Instagram video, before releasing the song.^[3]

Composition

On the track, DaBaby talks about doing what he wants; in the chorus, he raps: "Bitch, it ain't even my birthday but I can ball if I want to (Ball) / Pull up, foreign cars if I want to (Skrr) / Hop out that bitch with that iron in my jumpsuit (Go)/ Just do what I say and I love you (Okay?)"^[2]^[4] He raps about the poverty he has escaped and the current riches of his life, including private jets and sex.^[5] The instrumental of the song features an echoing choral sample.^[6]

Critical reception

Tom Breihan of Stereogum called the song a "raunchy two-minute rap attack".^[5] Glenn Rowley of Consequence writes that in the "braggadocios" track, DaBaby "unapologetically flexes".^[6]

Music video

The music video, directed by DaBaby himself, finds him leading a high school student body through a wild library study hall, a food fight in the cafeteria, a game of Twister and to the outdoor basketball courts.^[6]^[7]^[8] A cheerleading squad is seen twerking in the classroom, and at the basketball courts, a giant diapered baby mascot dances.^[8]^[9]^[10]

Live performances

DaBaby performed the song at the BET Awards 2021.^[11]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Ball If I Want To"
Chart (2021)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[12]	48
Global 200 (Billboard)^[13]	60
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)^[14]	8
US Billboard Hot 100^[15]	39
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[16]	13
US Rolling Stone Top 100^[17]	24

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Ball If I Want To"
Chart (2021)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[18]	96

Certifications

Certifications for "Ball If I Want To"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)^[19]	Gold	20,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

^ Cowen, Trace William (June 18, 2021). "DaBaby Drops New Song and Video 'Ball If I Want To'". Complex. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ ^a ^b Cho, Regina (2021-06-18). "DaBaby does as he desires in "Ball If I Want To" single". Revolt. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ Marie, Erika (June 18, 2021). "DaBaby Is The Big Man On Campus In "Ball If I Want To" Visual". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ Lavin, Will (2021-06-18). "Listen to DaBaby's neck-snapping new single 'Ball If I Want To'". NME. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ ^a ^b Breihan, Tom (2021-06-18). "DaBaby – 'Ball If I Want To'". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ ^a ^b ^c Rowley, Glenn (2021-06-18). "DaBaby drops new single "Ball if I Want To": Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ Kiefer, Halle (2021-06-18). "School's Out, but DaBaby Takes You Back to Class for 'Ball If I Want To' Video". Vulture. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ ^a ^b Peters, Mitchell (June 18, 2021). "DaBaby Goes Back to High School in Rowdy 'Ball If I Want To' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ Bloom, Madison (June 18, 2021). "DaBaby Shares Video for New Song 'Ball If I Want To'". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ Zemler, Emily (2021-06-18). "Watch DaBaby's High School-Themed Video for New Single 'Ball If I Want To'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ Palmer, Tamara (June 28, 2021). "BET Awards 2021: DaBaby Turns 'Ball If I Want To' Into A Thrilling Courtside Show". BET.com. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
^ "DaBaby Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
^ "DaBaby Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
^ "DaBaby Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
^ "DaBaby Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
^ "Top 100 Songs".
^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
^ "Brazilian single certifications – DaBaby – Ball If I Want To" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

[1] Cowen, Trace William (June 18, 2021). "DaBaby Drops New Song and Video 'Ball If I Want To'". Complex. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[:0-2] Cho, Regina (2021-06-18). "DaBaby does as he desires in "Ball If I Want To" single". Revolt. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[3] Marie, Erika (June 18, 2021). "DaBaby Is The Big Man On Campus In "Ball If I Want To" Visual". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[4] Lavin, Will (2021-06-18). "Listen to DaBaby's neck-snapping new single 'Ball If I Want To'". NME. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[:1-5] Breihan, Tom (2021-06-18). "DaBaby – 'Ball If I Want To'". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[:2-6] Rowley, Glenn (2021-06-18). "DaBaby drops new single "Ball if I Want To": Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[7] Kiefer, Halle (2021-06-18). "School's Out, but DaBaby Takes You Back to Class for 'Ball If I Want To' Video". Vulture. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[:3-8] Peters, Mitchell (June 18, 2021). "DaBaby Goes Back to High School in Rowdy 'Ball If I Want To' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[9] Bloom, Madison (June 18, 2021). "DaBaby Shares Video for New Song 'Ball If I Want To'". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[10] Zemler, Emily (2021-06-18). "Watch DaBaby's High School-Themed Video for New Single 'Ball If I Want To'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[11] Palmer, Tamara (June 28, 2021). "BET Awards 2021: DaBaby Turns 'Ball If I Want To' Into A Thrilling Courtside Show". BET.com. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-06-30.

[sc_Canada_DaBaby-12] "DaBaby Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2021.

[sc_Billboardglobal200_DaBaby-13] "DaBaby Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2021.

[14] "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.

[sc_Billboardhot100_DaBaby-15] "DaBaby Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2021.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_DaBaby-16] "DaBaby Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2021.

[17] "Top 100 Songs".

[18] "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.

[BrazilDaBabyBall_If_I_Want_TosingleCertRef-19] "Brazilian single certifications – DaBaby – Ball If I Want To" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

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v t e DaBaby
Discography
Studio albums	Baby on Baby (2019) Kirk (2019) Blame It on Baby (2020) Baby on Baby 2 (2022)
Mixtapes	Better than You (with YoungBoy Never Broke Again) (2022)
Extended plays	My Brother's Keeper (Long Live G) (2020) Back on My Baby Jesus Sh!t Again (2021)
Singles	"Suge" "Baby" "Baby Sitter" "Panini (DaBaby Remix)" "Intro" "Bop" "Shut Up" "Oprah's Bank Account" "Vibez" "Find My Way" "Rockstar" "Blind" "Masterpiece" "Throat Baby (Go Baby) [Remix]" "Ball If I Want To" "Red Light Green Light" "Lonely" "Neighborhood Superstar" "Bestie" "Shake Sumn"
Featured singles	"Cash Shit" "Truth Hurts (DaBaby Remix)" "Enemies" "Hot Shower" "Death" "My Oh My" "Life is Good (Remix)" "Levi High" "Don't Rush (Remix)" "Whats Poppin (Remix)" "Tap In (Remix)" "Said Sum (Remix)" "Levitating" "For the Night" "Nah Nah Nah (Remix)" "Coco" "Cry Baby" "Beat Box 3" "Girl from Rio" "I Did It" "Skat" "06 Gucci" "Point Em Out"
Other songs	"Goin Baby" "Stop Snitchin (Remix)" "Under the Sun" "Toes" "Jump" "Jail, Pt. 2"

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