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Gas Pedal
View on Wikipedia| "Gas Pedal" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Sage the Gemini featuring Iamsu! | ||||
| from the album Remember Me | ||||
| Released | March 21, 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2012 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:28 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Sage the Gemini | |||
| Sage the Gemini singles chronology | ||||
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| Iamsu! singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Gas Pedal" on YouTube | ||||
"Gas Pedal" is a song by American rapper Sage the Gemini, featuring guest vocals from fellow Bay Area rapper Iamsu!. It was released by Republic Records on March 21, 2013 as the second single from the former's debut studio album, Remember Me. It was produced by Sage the Gemini, while both performers co-wrote the song.
"Gas Pedal" peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, making this the first top 40 hit for both artists. It also reached the top ten on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, at numbers six and four, respectively. An official remix for the song was released featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber.
Music video
[edit]Directed by SUJ, the video is set in a barely lit mansion where Sage and Iamsu! are dressed in tuxedos surrounded by various women with blank expressions on their face. A woman wearing a red veil wrapped around her face catches Sage's attention and asks for her to be brought over. When the woman is brought over to Sage, she stands still only to dance a little before returning to being still again. The video premiered on the artist's YouTube page on March 21, 2013.
Live performance
[edit]Sage and Iamsu! made their U.S. television debut performing "Gas Pedal" on the Late Show with David Letterman on March 27, 2013. The performance garnered little response from the audience, but Sage was a good sport about his performance during an interview he had with RapFix Live: "But it was tight, though, 'cause you could tell it was a real audience, 'cause as soon as I was like, 'How y’all doing out there tonight?' They said, 'Ahhhh,'" Sage continued.[1]
Commercial performance
[edit]"Gas Pedal" debuted at number 58 on US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of August 10, 2013.[2] Four weeks later, it peaked at number 29 for the week of September 7[3] and spent a total of twenty-five weeks on the chart.[4] It reached the top ten on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, moving four spots from number 11 to number 7 for the week of August 17.[5] It peaked at number 6 the week after on August 24.[6] As of April 5, 2014, the song sold 1.4 million downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[7]
In Canada, the song debuted at number 96 for the week of August 31, 2013 and peaked at number 92 the week after before leaving the chart. It re-entered the chart for the week of January 4, 2014 at number 84 and reached a new peak at number 59 the week after on January 11.[4]
Remix
[edit]On December 20, 2013, an official remix for the song was released that featured Canadian singer Justin Bieber performing the opening rap verse and a bridge before the second chorus which peaked at number 100 in the UK Singles Chart.[8]
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[20] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[21] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[22] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Fleischer, Adam (March 27, 2014). "Sage The Gemini And Iamsu! Had Fun On 'Letterman'... Even If The Crowd Didn't". MTV. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- ^ "The Hot 100: August 10, 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ "The Hot 100: September 7, 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ a b "Sage The Gemini and IamSu! - Gas Pedal". aCharts.co. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- ^ Ramirez, Rauly (August 15, 2013). "Drake Earns 33rd Top 10 Hit on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ Ramirez, Rauly (August 22, 2013). "Robin Thicke Ties Personal Record Atop Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ Ramirez, Rauly (April 3, 2014). "Chris Brown & Friends Charge Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ X, Dharmic (December 20, 2013). "Justin Bieber Joins Sage The Gemini & Iamsu! on Gas Pedal (Remix)". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
- ^ "FreezePage: ARIA Australian Top 40 Urban". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Sage The Gemini Feat. Justin Bieber & IamSu – Gas Pedal (Remix)" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Sage The Gemini Feat. Justin Bieber & IamSu – Gas Pedal (Remix)" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Sage The Gemini Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Sage the Gemini Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Sage the Gemini Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Sage the Gemini Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Year-End 2013 - Billboard". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Sage The Gemini feat. IamSu – Gas Pedal". Radioscope. Retrieved February 5, 2025. Type Gas Pedal in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "British single certifications – Sage The Gemini feat. Justin Bieber & Iamsu – Gas Pedal". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Sage The Gemini – Gas Pedal". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
Gas Pedal
View on GrokipediaBackground and release
Development
The development of "Gas Pedal" was deeply rooted in the Bay Area's hyphy movement, which emphasized energetic, dance-oriented hip-hop reflecting local club culture and automotive themes like cruising and "ghost riding the whip."[4] Sage the Gemini, inspired by this scene, crafted the track as a high-energy party anthem to capture the vibrant, carefree spirit of Bay Area nightlife and street life.[5] Recording took place around 2010 across various home and informal studios in the Bay Area, where Sage the Gemini, then 18 years old, handled much of the production himself using self-taught skills and basic equipment including a condenser microphone, Behringer mixer, and the digital audio workstation Acoustica Mixcraft.[5] He incorporated funk elements by sampling "Dang Wow" by The Jones Girls, a 1980 R&B track with groovy basslines that added a retro bounce to the beat, aligning with hyphy's fusion of modern rap and classic West Coast sounds.[6] Key collaborators included Iamsu!, a fellow Bay Area rapper and HBK Gang member, who met Sage when he was 18 at a show in San Francisco and contributed the infectious hook while co-producing the track on the same day, bringing an immediate chemistry that shaped its club-ready vibe.[7] The song was co-written by Sage the Gemini and Iamsu!, with no external producers involved beyond their joint efforts.[8] As the lead single for Sage's debut album Remember Me, it emerged from these grassroots sessions as a breakout track for the HBK collective.[5]Release and promotion
"Gas Pedal" was first released as a digital single on March 21, 2013, through Global Gemini Entertainment. Following Sage the Gemini's signing to Republic Records in August 2013, the track received broader distribution.[9][10] The track, featuring Iamsu!, marked Sage's breakthrough in the Bay Area hip hop scene, leveraging his affiliation with the HBK Gang collective to generate initial buzz.[11] The single was later incorporated into the Gas Pedal EP, released on September 10, 2013, which expanded on the original track with additional songs and collaborations.[12] This EP preceded its inclusion on Sage's debut studio album, Remember Me, issued on March 25, 2014, via Republic Records, HBK Gang Records, and EMPIRE Recordings.[13][14] Promotion for "Gas Pedal" emphasized radio airplay on urban contemporary stations, including heavy rotation on outlets like KMEL, which helped propel the song's visibility post-signing.[15] Republic Records supported these efforts with targeted marketing after acquiring Sage in August 2013, while his ties to HBK Gang drove grassroots promotion through collective networks and street-level engagement in the Bay Area.[16][17]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"Gas Pedal" is classified as a mid-tempo hip hop track operating at 97 beats per minute (BPM), characteristic of its bouncy, energetic flow that encourages movement.[18] The song blends the playful, upbeat bounce of hyphy—a subgenre originating from the Bay Area—with trap-influenced deep bass elements, creating a club-ready sound that bridges regional rap traditions and contemporary production trends.[19] Its total runtime is 3:28, providing a compact yet infectious listening experience.[18] The instrumentation centers on prominent 808 bass drums that deliver a rumbling low-end, paired with brash synth horns that add a celebratory, anthemic layer to the minimalistic beats.[6] These elements are layered over sparse percussion patterns, emphasizing groove and space for vocal delivery, with the production handled by Sage the Gemini himself to achieve a polished, post-hyphy efficiency.[19] Structurally, the track opens with an intro of ad-libs setting a hype tone, then adheres to a straightforward verse-chorus format that repeats for accessibility.[20] The hook incorporates call-and-response phrasing, enhancing its participatory feel, while Iamsu! contributes additional vocal layers to the hook alongside his verse.[20] The song's sound draws influences from the Bay Area's hyphy movement, particularly the era defined by artists like E-40, whose energetic, dance-oriented style it echoes through its rhythmic drive and regional flair, though refined with a sleek, modern production sheen.[19][21]Themes and content
The lyrics of "Gas Pedal" revolve around a central theme of celebrating nightlife, energetic dancing, and immediate attraction in a club setting, with the "gas pedal" serving as a metaphor for ramping up romantic tension or party momentum to heighten excitement.[22][23] This narrative unfolds through a vivid storytelling of pursuit and indulgence, portraying the club as a space where physical allure and bold advances drive the action forward.[20] Opening lines in Sage the Gemini's verse establish the narrator's "fresh fade" style and magnetic draw on women, using wordplay like "girls goin' gaga over me" to convey effortless charisma and visual appeal.[20] The chorus hook—"Now speed up, gas pedal / She bounce it like the gas pedal"—captures the essence of physical movement, instructing dancers to alternate between slow sways and rapid bounces to mimic acceleration, emphasizing rhythmic sensuality over static poses.[20][22] Cultural references ground the storytelling in Bay Area identity, incorporating slang like "ghost ride the whip," a hyphy term for exiting a moving car to dance alongside it, evoking reckless, communal fun.[24][20] Additional nods to luxury, such as "foreigns in my garage" and riding in tinted foreign cars, highlight a narrative of status and extravagance tied to the region's hip-hop culture.[20][23] Sage the Gemini's verse centers on individual confidence, with boasts of handsome features and selective advances—"I don't really wanna hit it, but I'm gon' smash it"—building a persona of controlled swagger through repetitive, emphatic phrasing.[20] In contrast, Iamsu!'s verse explores group dynamics, depicting shared nightlife escapades with lines about a crew in a foreign car, multiple women, and collective flexing like "We gettin' money, spend it on whoever," shifting the focus to camaraderie and abundance.[20] The hyphy influences subtly align the lyrical bounce with the track's upbeat rhythm, enhancing the song's high-energy storytelling.[24]Critical reception
Initial reviews
Upon its release in 2013, "Gas Pedal" received generally positive feedback from music critics, who praised its catchy hook and role in reviving the hyphy sound of the Bay Area hip-hop scene. BET included the track on its list of the 50 best songs of 2013, describing it as an "instructional banger inspired by the twerk" that captured the energetic, dance-oriented vibe of West Coast rap.[25] Similarly, XXL noted the album's grindtastic, club-ready appeal in their review of Sage the Gemini's debut album Remember Me, highlighting how "Gas Pedal" contributed to his breakout success.[26] Critics also acknowledged the track's high energy and production, with Billboard characterizing it as a "sex jam" with a minimalist beat, emphasizing its alignment with the playful, regional Bay Area style.[27] AllMusic echoed this by framing the song within Sage's restrained delivery and infectious hooks, underscoring its strong regional appeal but suggesting limited potential for mainstream crossover beyond party anthems.[28] While there was no Metacritic aggregate for the single, individual evaluations from hip-hop outlets and blogs averaged around 7/10, reflecting enthusiasm for its fun, accessible qualities tempered by notes on lyrical simplicity. For instance, We Are: The Guard named it a "Best New Track," lauding the "hella catchy hook" that shifted perspectives on new-age hip-hop without relying on major features.[29] The Associated Press later described "Gas Pedal" as a "well-received" dance-friendly single that set the tone for Sage's minimalist style.[30]Retrospective assessments
In retrospective assessments from the mid-2010s onward, "Gas Pedal" has been hailed as Sage the Gemini's breakout hit that propelled him to national prominence and largely defined his career trajectory in hip-hop. The track's success, peaking at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, marked a pivotal moment for the Bay Area's post-hyphy sound, reinvigorating interest in regional dance styles and club anthems during a period when West Coast rap was resurging.[17] Analyses in the 2020s, such as a 2023 KQED feature on HBK Gang, credit the song with achieving national crossover appeal, helping to elevate hyphy-influenced production to broader audiences beyond the Bay Area.[31] The song's cultural impact endures through its inclusion in 2010s hip-hop nostalgia playlists on platforms like Spotify, where it remains a staple for evoking Vine-era viral dance trends.[32] Post-2020, it has been sampled over 100 times across genres, including indie and electronic tracks that reinterpret its hook for modern productions.[6] In 2024, a remix by John Summit, Subtronics, and Tape B featuring Sage the Gemini revived the track in the electronic dance scene, peaking on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[33] The track solidified its status as a streaming mainstay, surpassing 300 million plays on Spotify as of November 2025.[34]Music video
Production
The music video for "Gas Pedal" was directed by Suj, a frequent collaborator with Sage the Gemini who also helmed videos for the artist's tracks "Red Nose" and "Swerve."[35] Produced by Petr Sweezer-Jankular under Black Money Music Group, the project was completed as a straightforward indie effort in early 2013, aligning with Sage's emerging career on the independent label Triple Vision Music Group.[36] Filming captured a party atmosphere that ties into the song's club-oriented energy. The production emphasized vibrant lighting and choreography central to Bay Area dance culture, including the J12 move popularized in Oakland.[17] Casting highlighted Sage the Gemini and Iamsu! as leads, supported by background dancers rooted in the Bay Area scene to evoke local hip-hop traditions. Female performers were chosen to complement the thematic party vibe, surrounding the rappers in tuxedos amid the dimly lit interior.[10] The video premiered on YouTube on March 21, 2013, and has accumulated over 138 million views as of November 2025.[10]Content and reception
The music video for "Gas Pedal," directed by Suj and released on March 21, 2013, unfolds at a lavish mansion party where Sage the Gemini and Iamsu!, attired in tuxedos, mingle with dancers executing the song's titular "gas pedal" routine—a bouncy hip-shaking motion evoking acceleration. Sage is prominently featured seated on a throne-like chair, surrounded by female dancers in short outfits and red hoods that partially obscure their faces, underscoring a theme of commanding presence amid the festivities. Exterior shots shift to the driveway, showcasing muscle cars and street scenes that amplify the track's high-octane energy.[10][37] Visually, the production relies on dimly lit interiors with rapid editing to capture the chaotic party atmosphere, though some reviewers noted the low lighting obscured details, contributing to a sense of stylized mystery around the performers and dancers. The choreography emphasizes stiff, repetitive movements rather than fluid twerking, aligning with the song's playful instructional lyrics while highlighting the artists' central roles. The video was lauded for its infectious, fun vibe that captured the essence of Bay Area party culture. It has amassed over 1.07 million likes and 138 million views on YouTube, indicating robust audience engagement and contributing to the song's viral spread through dance memes and social media challenges. The video's portrayal of women as subservient figures to the male rappers has been noted as reinforcing gender stereotypes common in hip-hop visuals of the era.[10][37]Live performances
Television appearances
Sage the Gemini made his first television appearance performing "Gas Pedal" on BET's 106 & Park on October 24, 2013, accompanied by dancers and DJ Lucci, marking an early promotional push for the track amid its rising popularity in the Bay Area hip-hop scene.[38] The performance aligned with the show's youth-focused audience, contributing to the song's growing buzz within urban music circles.[17] In February 2014, Sage the Gemini returned to late-night television on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, delivering a rendition of "Gas Pedal" alongside "Red Nose" backed by a full live band, which highlighted the track's energetic club appeal in a more polished broadcast setting.[39] This appearance, taped on February 13, 2014, served as a key tie-in to the impending release of his debut album Remember Me.[40] The duo's performance on the Late Show with David Letterman on March 27, 2014—aired shortly after Remember Me's release on March 25—represented their highest-profile U.S. network television exposure to date, featuring a live band and an attempt to engage the studio crowd directly.[41] However, the audience response was muted and uncertain, likely due to the show's older demographic and the song's minimalistic beat contrasting with typical late-night fare.[41] In contrast, the 106 & Park slot elicited more enthusiastic reception from its younger viewers, underscoring demographic differences in broadcast impact. No notable international television appearances for "Gas Pedal" occurred prior to 2014.Concert and tour performances
"Gas Pedal" debuted live during Sage the Gemini's early performances in Bay Area clubs in 2012, coinciding with the track's initial regional buzz following its audio release that May.[17] The song received full tour support through HBK Gang shows in 2013, where it became a staple alongside other collective tracks, helping solidify its presence in West Coast hip-hop circuits.[31] In 2014, Sage the Gemini incorporated "Gas Pedal" into major tours supporting his debut album Remember Me, including dates on the Under the Influence of Music Tour and festival appearances such as SXSW in Austin, Texas.[42] The track also featured in select slots at events like the Wiz Khalifa tour stops that year, emphasizing its role as a high-energy closer.[43] Live renditions of "Gas Pedal" frequently involved collaborations with Iamsu!, as seen in performances at The FADER FORT during SXSW and other HBK-affiliated events, enhancing the song's interactive vibe.[44] Audiences often engaged through the signature "gas pedal" dance, mimicking the track's rhythmic motions during concerts.[45] Post-2013, performances evolved to include remix versions, such as the Justin Bieber-featuring edition, integrated into setlists for added variety.[46] Into the 2020s, "Gas Pedal" has seen occasional inclusion in Sage the Gemini's nostalgia-driven tours and college circuit shows, appearing in setlists alongside later hits to evoke early career highlights. For example, Sage the Gemini is scheduled to perform at VCD x BALLDROP 2025 on December 31, 2024, featuring hits like "Gas Pedal."[47][48]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Gas Pedal" debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated August 10, 2013, before climbing to its peak position of number 29 on the chart dated September 14, 2013. The track maintained a presence on the Hot 100 for a total of 28 weeks.[49] It also performed strongly on genre-specific charts, reaching number 3 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally, the song achieved moderate success. A remix featuring Justin Bieber peaked at number 100 on the UK Singles Chart in early 2014. It entered the Canadian Hot 100 at number 96 and peaked at number 68. In Australia, it reached number 47 on the ARIA Singles Chart, while in New Zealand, it peaked at number 30 on the Recorded Music NZ chart.[50] The song's chart trajectory highlighted its enduring appeal within R&B and hip-hop audiences, landing at number 30 on the 2013 year-end Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In the streaming era of the 2020s, "Gas Pedal" saw renewed interest via viral TikTok trends and playlist inclusions, driving additional streams without surpassing its original peaks after 2014. In January 2025, the song reached number 2 on the Billboard TikTok Top 50 chart, reflecting its viral resurgence.[51][52]| Chart (2013–2014) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 29 |
| US Hot Rap Songs | 3 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 6 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 68 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 47 |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 30 |
| UK Singles (Remix) | 100 |
