Hubbry Logo
No HandsNo HandsMain
Open search
No Hands
Community hub
No Hands
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
No Hands
No Hands
No Hands
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
"No Hands"
Single by Waka Flocka Flame featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale
from the album Flockaveli
ReleasedAugust 17, 2010
Recorded2009–2010
GenreSouthern hip-hop, trap
Length4:22
Label
Songwriters
ProducerDrumma Boy
Waka Flocka Flame singles chronology
"Hard in da Paint"
(2010) 		"No Hands"
(2010) 		"Grove St. Party"
(2011)
Roscoe Dash singles chronology
"My Own Step"
(2010) 		"No Hands"
(2010) 		"Haters"
(2011)
Wale singles chronology
"Pretty Girls"
(2009) 		"No Hands"
(2010) 		"That Way"
(2011)
Music video
"No Hands" on YouTube

"No Hands" is a song by American rapper Waka Flocka Flame featuring fellow American rappers Roscoe Dash and Wale from the former's debut studio album, Flockaveli (2010). It was written by the artists alongside producer Drumma Boy. It was leaked in May 2010 before it was officially released in August. The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 45 and peaked at number 13.

On July 20, 2023, the song was certified diamond by RIAA selling over 10 million copies, his first diamond certification and one of the best-selling rap songs of all-time. The song has since come to be regarded as Waka's signature song.

Background

[edit]

According to Spin, the song finds each performer emceeing a strip club environment while intoxicated.[1]

Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by Motion Family and was released on August 17, 2010. DJ Drama made a cameo appearance in the video. [2]

Remixes

[edit]

T-Pain made a remix titled "No Hands (T-Mix)". Chamillionaire made a freestyle to the beat titled "After the Super Bowl".[3] R&B girl group RichGirl created a remix to the song, released on their Fall in Love with RichGirl mixtape, in which member Brave raps.[4] In 2011, Cold Blank released a remix titled "No Hands – Cold Blank's Dirty Radio Mix".[5] British singer Neon Hitch uploaded a cover version of the song to her official YouTube page in September 2011.[6] A remix was made featuring Japanese pop star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's "Pon Pon Pon".[7] Another remix, titled "No Handz", was created by CRNKN and uploaded to the Trap City YouTube channel on December 25, 2012.[8]

Charts

[edit]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (2010–2011) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 13
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 2
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[11] 1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[12] 28
US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[13] 3

Year-end charts

[edit]
Chart (2010) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] 56
Chart (2011) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 45
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 6
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[17] 17

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[18] Platinum 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[20] Diamond 10,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.


See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

No Hands

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"No Hands" is a hip hop song by American rapper , featuring fellow rappers and Wale, released as a single on August 17, 2010, through and Warner Bros. Records. Produced by , the track serves as the third single from Waka Flocka Flame's debut studio album , which was released on October 5, 2010. Known for its energetic, party-oriented lyrics and infectious beat, the song celebrates and dancing, with verses focusing on club culture and attraction. The single achieved significant commercial success, debuting at number 45 on the and eventually peaking at number 13, marking Waka Flocka Flame's highest-charting entry on the chart at the time. It also topped the chart on December 11, 2010, and reached number two on the chart. By July 20, 2023, "No Hands" had been certified diamond by the RIAA, indicating 10 million units sold or streamed in the United States, making it one of the best-selling hip hop singles of the . As a defining track of early Southern rap and , "No Hands" solidified Waka Flocka Flame's reputation as a club anthem creator, influencing party rap trends and remaining a staple in hip hop playlists and live performances. Its , directed by Motion Family, features vibrant club scenes and has amassed hundreds of millions of views across platforms.

Background and Recording

Development

"No Hands" was conceived in early 2010 as a track for Waka Flocka Flame's debut studio album , with Waka serving as the primary writer and performer. Following his signing to Mane's 1017 Squad and in 2009, Waka's affiliation with the label shaped the song's energetic, club-oriented vibe, aligning with the imprint's signature high-energy hip-hop style. The collaboration began when was invited to a studio session and suggested creating a record aimed at female listeners, telling Waka, "Big bro, you need to get some girls, man! They fuck with you, man. Why you don’t never just make music for them for once?" Inspired by the beat produced by , Roscoe contributed the chorus hook using his distinctive low-pitched delivery, while Waka developed his verse by freestyling lines focused on attraction and , such as "All that ass, goddamn in them jeans." Waka initially expressed uncertainty about the track's direction but was encouraged by the contributions from Roscoe and Wale to include it on the . Wale added his verse to complete the , providing a smoother, more melodic contrast to the high-energy elements from Waka and Roscoe. The completed track leaked online in May 2010, generating buzz ahead of its official single release on August 17, 2010, through and .

Production and Personnel

The track "No Hands" was recorded primarily at Patchwerk Recording Studios in , Georgia, during the spring of 2010, shortly after Gucci Mane's release from jail, in a lively session attended by 50 to 100 people celebrating the occasion. Producer (Christopher Gholson) created the beat on the spot in just 5 to 10 minutes using a beat machine, incorporating his signature trap elements such as booming 808 bass drums and a catchy synth melody to drive the high-energy party vibe. Key personnel included (lead rapper and executive producer), (chorus vocals, who wrote and recorded his hook spontaneously in the booth to immediate crowd approval), and Wale (featured rap verse). Additional credits went to as producer; Finis "KY" White as recording and mixing engineer; assistant engineers Angelo Caputo, Juliette Amoroso, and Mike Gaydusek; and executive producers Debra Antney and Juaquin "" Malphurs. In , the track was mastered by Colin Leonard at SING Mastering in , with a focus on amplifying the bass response to enhance its suitability for club environments and radio play.

Composition and Lyrics

Musical Elements

"No Hands" is classified as a Southern hip-hop and trap track incorporating influences, characterized by its high-energy club-ready sound. The song runs for 4:22, composed in the key of with a of 132 beats per minute, contributing to its driving, danceable rhythm. The instrumentation relies on digital production techniques, featuring prominent 808 bass drums for deep low-end impact, rapid patterns for propulsion, and a repetitive synth hook that forms the track's catchy melodic foundation; no live instruments are used. Produced by , the beat emphasizes synthesized elements typical of early trap aesthetics. Structurally, the song opens with an intro featuring ad-libs from producer , followed by three verses delivered by , Wale, and , respectively, interspersed with a repeating chorus performed by , and concludes with a fading outro. The chorus highlights call-and-response dynamics through interactive chants like "leggo," fostering and participation during live settings.

Lyrical Content

The lyrics of "No Hands" center on a celebratory depiction of club partying, female dancers, and ostentatious displays of wealth, capturing a hedonistic scene where participants revel in uninhibited movement and extravagance. The chorus, performed by , establishes this carefree vibe with lines like "Girl the way you're movin' got me in a / DJ turn me up, ladies this yo jam / I'mma sip Moscato and you gon' lose them pants / Then I'mma throw this money while you do it with no hands," emphasizing admiration for a dancer's and the act of tossing cash without restraint, evoking a atmosphere. This promotes joyful through indulgence, with repeated calls to "drop it to the floor" and watch the "booty go," highlighting physical allure and passive spectatorship. Waka Flocka Flame's opening verse delivers an aggressive, boastful portrayal of Atlanta's nightlife, focusing on women's physical attributes and his own excess, as in "All that ass, in yo jeans / Can Wale beat? Can Roscoe skeet? / Long hair, she don't care, when she walk, she gets stares / Brown-skin or a yellow bone." He escalates the bravado with imagery of financial dominance, rapping "Threw me seventy bands, bet fifty stacks, oh fuckin' well / I'm tryna hit the hotel with two girls that swallow me," and explicit club antics like "Pussy pop on a handstand, you got me sweatin'." This raw, confrontational style aligns with Waka's non-lyrical, high-energy approach in Southern trap, prioritizing hype over intricate rhyme schemes. Wordplay here draws on Southern hip-hop tropes, such as "shawty" for women and slang like "goin' HAM" for intense partying, alongside allusions to strip clubs through money-throwing and intoxication. Wale's verse introduces a smoother, more confident flair, blending romance with bravado in lines like "She said, 'Look, ma, no hands,' and no, darlin', I don't / And I'm with Roscoe, I'm with Waka, I think I deserve a chance / I'm a bad , go and ask them other fuckers." He reps his D.C. ("And that D.C. shit, I rep all day") while nodding to luxury and detachment, as in "I sweat no bitches, just sweat out weaves / Whole lotta , big tip, I would / I put her on the , little engine could." This contrasts Waka's aggression with Wale's melodic flow, adding a layer of suave amid the track's excess. Roscoe Dash closes with a verse reinforcing the song's fun-loving , boasting about wealth and appeal: "R-O-S-C-O-E (O-E), Mr. 'Shawty-Put-It-On-Me' / I be goin' (HAM), shawty upgrade from / Them niggas tippin' good, girl, but I can make it flood / 'Cause I walk around with pockets (Pockets) that are bigger than my bus." References to champagne ("Moscato") and evasion of haters ("'Rain, rain, go away,' that's what all my haters say") underscore luxury and resilience, while playful similes like "your booty got me lost like Nemo" tie back to the motif. Overall, the maintain a celebratory, hedonistic tone reflective of early hip-hop's club anthems, blending explicit desire with triumphant materialism.

Release and Promotion

Single Release

"No Hands" was released as the third single from Waka Flocka Flame's debut studio album on August 17, 2010, initially available exclusively via digital download on platforms such as . The track, produced by and featuring and Wale, had leaked online in May 2010, sparking early buzz and organic viral spread through online sharing, club play, and circuits before its official rollout. A promotional single was issued by later that year to support radio and industry outreach. Promotion emphasized the song's pre-release momentum, with Waka Flocka Flame incorporating it into live performances during his fall 2010 tour dates and events, including the in September and college homecoming shows in October. The single's digital sales surged during the album's release week in early October 2010, aligning with broader marketing efforts that leveraged the leak's grassroots popularity over heavy traditional advertising.

Music Video Production

The official for "No Hands" was directed by the production team Motion Family and filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, capturing the song's energetic party vibe across multiple settings. The visuals emphasize high-energy party scenes featuring dancers and models handpicked by , with luxury cars prominently displayed to underscore themes of celebration and excess. performs on a rooftop bar, at a house party, and Wale inside a neon-lit club, each artist appearing in distinct segments while lip-syncing their verses to maintain a dynamic, segmented narrative structure. These directorial choices highlighted the track's inclusive, turn-up atmosphere, using quick cuts between locations to build momentum during the chorus and reinforce the song's . The video premiered on August 17, 2010, coinciding with the single's release to boost promotion across digital platforms like and .

Critical and Commercial Reception

Critical Reviews

Critical reviews of "No Hands" generally praised its high-energy production and role as a club staple within Waka Flocka Flame's debut album , though some critics highlighted lyrical limitations and underlying misogynistic themes. awarded a 7.8 out of 10, commending the track's "ominous marching horn anthem" produced by and Roscoe Dash's raspy chorus for injecting infectious energy into the otherwise relentless collection, marking it as a rare crossover attempt amid the album's raw aggression. AllMusic echoed this sentiment in its 3.5-out-of-5-star review of Flockaveli, positioning "No Hands" as a quintessential rowdy strip-club anthem that exemplifies Waka Flocka Flame's bombastic style and the album's party-ready appeal. Rolling Stone gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars in a mixed assessment, appreciating the hypnotic beats on tracks like "No Hands" for their catchy hooks despite noting Waka's "negligible" rhyming skills and repetitive delivery, which prioritized bombast over substance. XXL Magazine hailed "No Hands" as Waka's biggest crossover hit and an "ultimate party starter" in its coverage of Triple F Life, emphasizing its enduring club vitality. The album's aggregated Metacritic score of 75 out of 100 reflected this consensus, with nine reviews averaging generally favorable marks for its fresh trap sound in 2010 hip-hop. Retrospectively, early 2010 critiques focused on the song's immediate freshness as a trap breakthrough, while later acknowledgments, such as Pitchfork's inclusion of Flockaveli at number 110 on its 200 Best Albums of the 2010s list, recognized "No Hands" for advancing trap's explosive evolution through its aggressive synths and ad-libs.

Chart Performance and Certifications

"No Hands" debuted on the US at number 45 on September 25, 2010, before climbing to a peak of number 13 on December 11, 2010, and spending a total of 32 weeks on the chart. It also reached number 1 on the chart on the same date, marking Waka Flocka Flame's first leader there, and number 2 on the chart. The song demonstrated particularly robust performance in Southern markets, where its club-oriented Southern hip-hop style resonated strongly with regional audiences and radio play.
Chart (2010–2011)Peak Position
US 13
US Hot Rap Songs ()1
US ()2
In terms of sales, "No Hands" was certified by the RIAA in 2010 after selling 500,000 digital copies, and by February 2013, it had reached 3× Platinum status for over 3 million units sold. Digital sales surpassed 3 million by early 2013, bolstered by its inclusion on Waka Flocka Flame's debut album , which benefited from the single's crossover appeal. The track received further certifications, including 4× Platinum in 2018 and ultimately on July 20, 2023, for exceeding 10 million units, driven by significant streaming growth post-2015 on platforms like , where it has amassed over 885 million plays as of 2025.

Remixes and Legacy

Official Remixes

The primary official remix of "No Hands" is the version featuring , released on September 9, 2010, as part of his Ferrari Music. Produced by —the same team behind the original—this remix incorporates a new verse from , alongside contributions from , Wale, and , with minor beat tweaks to accommodate the added content and improve transitions. 's verse emphasizes themes of luxury and party excess, aligning with the track's celebratory vibe while extending the runtime to 4:52 from the original's 4:17. An extended chorus by in the amplifies the hook's repetition, making it more suitable for club play and DJ mixing, complete with additional ad-libs for energy. This version was not included on the Flockaveli deluxe edition but circulated widely through channels, contributing to the song's early buzz before the album's October 5, 2010 release. Other official variants include the clean , released in August 2010 alongside the explicit single, which replaces profane language and explicit references with altered phrasing to comply with broadcast standards while retaining the original , production, and featured artists. This edit facilitated on mainstream stations and helped propel the track's commercial success.

Cultural Impact and Usage

"No Hands" solidified its place as a cornerstone of the trap scene, exemplifying the high-energy party-rap formula that dominated hip-hop and influenced subsequent artists in the genre. As one of Waka Flocka Flame's signature tracks, it helped propel into mainstream consciousness through its infectious beat and club-ready hooks, earning recognition as a vital cultural touchstone in Southern rap's evolution. The song's diamond certification by the RIAA in 2023, denoting over 10 million units sold, underscores its enduring commercial and artistic impact. Its cultural significance extends to broader discussions within hip-hop, particularly around gender dynamics, where the lyrics' portrayal of scenarios and objectification of women have been analyzed as reinforcing hypermasculine tropes prevalent in early trap. This aspect contributed to its win for Best Club Banger at the 2011 , highlighting its resonance as an anthem for party culture while sparking conversations on representation in rap. The track has been sampled in various productions, including and Black V Neck's 2021 single "To the Floor," demonstrating its influence on crossover electronic and hip-hop hybrids. In media, "No Hands" gained renewed traction in the 2020s through viral dance challenges, where users recreated its signature moves, amassing millions of views and reintroducing the song to younger audiences. It has appeared in video games such as the beta version of , embedding it further in pop culture. As of November 2025, the song has accumulated over 885 million streams on , reflecting sustained popularity. Live performances, including at in 2024, continue to affirm its timeless appeal in festival settings.

References

  1. https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-hands-feat-roscoe-dash-wale-single/389062036
  2. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2010/09/20/1302995/0/en/Rising-Rapper-Waka-Flocka-Flame-to-Release-Debut-Album-Flockaveli-October-5th.html
  3. https://allhiphop.com/rumors/drumma-boy-recalls-leaking-waka-flocka-flames-latest-diamond-hit-featuring-wale-roscoe-dash/
  4. https://www.billboard.com/artist/waka-flocka-flame/chart-history/bsi/
  5. https://www.billboard.com/lists/hot-rap-songs-chart-25th-anniversary-top-100-songs/
  6. https://www.businessinsider.com/songs-certified-diamond-this-year-2023-12
  7. https://hiphopdx.com/news/waka-flocka-flame-hated-no-hands-diamond/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29134614/
  9. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/waka-flocka-flame-stays-hungry-on-flockaveli-debut-955330/
  10. https://rapradar.com/2010/12/14/respect-waka-flocka-flame-cover-story/
  11. https://genius.com/Waka-flocka-flame-no-hands-lyrics
  12. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/waka-flocka-flame-featuring-roscoe-dash-wale-no-hands-1068591/
  13. https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/0bae4ffc-d4cc-4731-83a5-2d6df00c16ce
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY6WDfRDBzE
  15. https://genius.com/Waka-flocka-flame-no-hands-lyrics/q/producer
  16. https://music.apple.com/us/song/no-hands-feat-roscoe-dash-wale/389062510
  17. https://www.singmastering.com/waka-flocka-flame-no-hands-feat-roscoe-dash-and-wale/
  18. https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/waka-flocka-flame/no-hands
  19. https://brev.ai/tag/808s
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DohTpXLXp9s
  21. https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Waka-Flocka-Flame-feat-Roscoe-Dash-and-Wale/No-Hands
  22. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14771-flockaveli/
  23. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20425-the-album-about-nothing/
  24. https://hotspotatl.com/1169171/behind-the-scenes-of-waka-flocka-flames-no-hands-video-shoot/
  25. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/waka-flocka-flame/no-hands
  26. https://www.shazam.com/song/1824470617/no-hands-feat-roscoe-dash-and-wale/music-video
  27. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/No_Hands
  28. https://www.allmusic.com/album/flockaveli-mw0002027886
  29. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/flockaveli-115176/
  30. https://www.xxlmag.com/waka-flocka-flame-triple-f-life-friends-fans-family/
  31. https://www.metacritic.com/music/flockaveli/waka-flocka-flame
  32. https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-2010s/
  33. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2010-09-25/
  34. https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2011-01-15/
  35. https://www.npr.org/2020/08/03/897247369/the-south-got-something-to-say-a-celebration-of-southern-rap-2010-2014
  36. https://rapradar.com/2010/11/17/waka-flocka-flame-covers-respect/
  37. https://www.riaa.com/nine-acts-spring-forward-with-new-multi-platinum-awards/
  38. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Waka+Flocka+Flame&ti=No+Hands#search_section
  39. https://www.tmz.com/2023/07/21/waka-flocka-flame-no-hands-diamond-wale-roscoe-dash/
  40. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/03tqyYWC9Um2ZqU0ZN849H.html
  41. https://genius.com/Gucci-mane-no-hands-remix-lyrics
  42. https://open.spotify.com/track/2qrNeH1XhpWrUWS1B08CQr
  43. https://olafmessenger.com/34997/arts-and-entertainment/a-brief-history-of-waka-flocka-flame-springfest-25-artist/
  44. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/697403-waka-flocka-no-hands-certified-diamond
  45. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Waka+Flocka+Flame&ti=No+Hands&format=Single&type=#search_section
  46. https://thesis.eur.nl/pub/55944/Lykotrafiti-M..pdf
  47. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/top-5-2011-bet-hip-hop-awards-moments-466104/
  48. https://www.whosampled.com/Waka-Flocka-Flame/No-Hands/sampled/
  49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bou2I-W7wQ
  50. https://vgost.fandom.com/wiki/Waka_Flocka_Flame
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Kp-YG24R1k
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.