Community Hub0 Subscribers
Community hub
Prblms
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| "Prblms" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by 6lack | ||||
| from the album Free 6lack | ||||
| Released | September 23, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2016 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:06 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | NOVA | |||
| 6lack singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "PRBLMS" on YouTube | ||||
"Prblms" (a disemvoweling of "problems" and stylized in all caps) is a single by American singer 6lack. It was released on September 23, 2016, by LoveRenaissance and Interscope Records.[3] The track was produced by NOVA.[4] The song was certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in December 2020. Following the popularity, 6lack would go on to open for The Weeknd.
Background and release
[edit]6lack originally released "Prblms" onto SoundCloud on April 14, 2016.[5] His manager connected with Apple Music's R&B curator, and eventually the song appeared on 10 playlists through the service.[5] In June, media personality Kylie Jenner lip-synced to the song during one of her Snapchat videos, which boosted the popularity of it.[6] 6lack said Jenner's shout-out was a great experience, and it showed him that he was "doing something right."[7] The song was later re-released officially in September of that year.[7]
Lyrically, the song is about a failing relationship.[8] 6lack wrote the song after having a fight with the woman he was seeing at the time; one of the lines from the song is a text that he received from her the night he was writing the song.[7]
Music video
[edit]Charts
[edit]Weekly charts
[edit]| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 72 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] | 34 |
Year-end charts
[edit]| Chart (2017) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 96 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[13] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[14] | 3× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[15] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[16] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[17] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Ahlgrim, Carrie (December 13, 2019). "The 113 best songs of the past decade, ranked". Insider. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
The sinister, industrial production of "Prblms" intensifies a lyrical message...
- ^ "Street Hymns, 9 Grand". SoundCloud. 1 April 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "PRBLMS". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
- ^ a b Slavik, Nathan (July 14, 2016). "How Apple Music Blew Up 6LACK's "Problems"". Djbooth.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (January 10, 2017). "How Kylie Jenner's Snapchat Turns Songs Into Hits". Genius.
- ^ a b c Skipper, Clay (March 30, 2017). "How 6LACK Went From Sleeping in a Recording Studio to Touring with The Weeknd". GQ.
- ^ Nostro, Lauren (January 31, 2017). "6LACK Breaks Down "PRBLMS" On Genius' Video Series 'Verified'". Genius.
- ^ "6LACK - Prblms (Official Video)". YouTube. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
- ^ "6LACK Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- ^ "6LACK Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – 6lack – Prblms" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – 6lack – Prblms". Music Canada. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – 6Lack – Prblms". Radioscope. Retrieved February 12, 2025. Type Prblms in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ^ "British single certifications – 6Lack – Prblms". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 27, 2020. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Prblms 6Lack in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "American single certifications – 6LACK". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
Prblms
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background and recording
Conception and writing
The song "PRBLMS" originated from a heated argument 6LACK had with his then-partner in 2016, which served as the raw emotional foundation for the track's exploration of relational discord.[1] This personal conflict inspired 6LACK to channel his frustration into songwriting, capturing the immediacy of the moment to convey the toxicity he experienced.[2] A pivotal element in the lyrics came directly from a text message sent by his partner during the fallout, verbatim incorporated as the hook: "I just can't seem to get along with you."[1] 6LACK wrote this line right after the fight, emphasizing the authenticity of the exchange, with the entire song drawing from unfiltered dialogues, arguments, and messages from the relationship.[1] As the primary songwriter, he conceived "PRBLMS" as a personal outlet to vent about the destructive patterns in the partnership, ignoring prior warnings from others about the volatility.[3] In a 2023 interview, 6LACK reflected on the inspiration, noting it stemmed from a "crazy ex-girlfriend" whose actions spiraled out of control, underscoring his reluctance to engage in such dynamics yet ultimate involvement.[2] Prior to any major label support, 6LACK independently uploaded "PRBLMS" to SoundCloud on April 14, 2016, marking it as an unpolished release born from introspection.[1] This early version highlighted his solo creative process, aligning with the vulnerability themes prevalent throughout his debut album FREE 6LACK.[1]Production
"PRBLMS" was produced by Nova (Jeryn Peters), with additional production from OnBeat.[4][5] The track's recording sessions occurred in Atlanta, Georgia, during mid-2016, aligning with the development of 6LACK's debut album FREE 6LACK at local studios affiliated with the LVRN label.[6][7] The production adopts a dark ambient R&B style, emphasizing minimalistic beats with heavy bass drums and sparse percussion to create a brooding atmosphere.[1] Echoing vocals and atmospheric synths, including airy feedback elements, are layered throughout, enhancing the track's sense of emotional depth and intimacy.[8][9] These choices support the raw frustration captured in the performance, drawing from 6LACK's personal experiences during a relationship argument that sparked the song's creation.[10] Following initial recordings, the track was finalized at a length of 4:06, balancing introspective verses with a paced structure suitable for broader playback.[11] This editing refined the arrangement while preserving the atmospheric production's core elements.Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"PRBLMS" is classified as contemporary R&B with hip-hop influences, blending melodic singing and rhythmic elements typical of the genre. The song is in the key of A major.[1][8][12] The song features a slow tempo of 69 beats per minute, contributing to its trap-inspired minimalism through sparse arrangements that emphasize atmosphere over density.[12][8] Structurally, it follows a verse-chorus-verse format with repetitive motifs and hooks occurring every two bars, opening with an atmospheric flute sample that persists throughout the track before building layers in later sections.[8][1] Instrumentally, the track highlights subtle bass lines from bass guitar, reverb-heavy drums featuring 8th-note hi-hats, a snare on the third beat, and a standard trap kick pattern, alongside sparse keyboard chords and percussion that foster a moody, introspective mood.[8][1] 6LACK's vocal delivery contrasts raw, emotive verses delivered in a near-spoken style with melodic choruses employing falsetto and subtle auto-tune effects for added emotional depth and catchiness, enhanced by quarter-note triplet phrasing on sustained pitches.[8][1] The production by Nova and OnBeat, utilizing a reverb-treated flute sample from Forest Swords' "Irby Tremor," reinforces the ambient, immersive quality.[8][1]Thematic content
The lyrics of "Prblms" center on the central theme of a toxic, on-again-off-again relationship marked by mutual blame, frustration, and an inability to commit or resolve conflicts.[1] In the opening verse, 6LACK recounts a heated argument initiated by his partner's accusation of lying, capturing the raw tension of a couple trapped in a cycle of accusations and defensiveness, as seen in lines like "And she said / 'You a goddamn lie' / I ain't mean to say that shit girl / I was goddamn high."[1] This portrayal reflects the song's inspiration from a real-life chaotic relationship that 6LACK entered despite warnings from those around him, emphasizing the self-destructive pull of such dynamics.[2] A key motif is the breakdown in communication, illustrated through the song's hook-like repetition of argumentative dialogue and the chorus's insistent "We got problems," which mimics the stalled, real-time exchanges in text messages or verbal fights that prevent any progress.[1] 6LACK's perspective highlights codependency and personal flaws, portraying both partners as equally problematic; in the second verse, he acknowledges shared issues with lines such as "I know you got some issues, yeah I got some too" repeated emphatically, underscoring a mutual recognition of flaws that fuels the dysfunction rather than resolving it.[1] This balanced view avoids placing sole blame, instead depicting a partnership where each person's unresolved problems exacerbate the other's.[7] The narrative arc evolves from initial anger and confrontation—evident in the verse's defensive responses and questioning "Why you do that?"—to a sense of resignation in the outro's fading repetition of "We got problems," signaling exhaustion and acceptance of the impasse without resolution.[1] Such themes of vulnerability in flawed relationships align briefly with recurring motifs across 6LACK's discography, where emotional honesty often exposes the pain of intimacy.[7]Promotion
Music video
The official music video for "Prblms" was released on October 14, 2016, through 6LACK's Vevo account and YouTube, where it has garnered over 326 million views as of 2023.[13] The video adopts a cinematic black-and-white aesthetic, featuring 6LACK in intimate, dimly lit environments that evoke a sense of vulnerability and introspection, intercut with narrative sequences of a couple in conflict to mirror the song's exploration of relational turmoil.[13] [14] Key scenes highlight 6LACK delivering his performance in a sparsely furnished room, underscoring the raw emotional delivery of the lyrics, while symbolic elements such as shattering objects visualize the strain and breakdown in relationships.[13] The narrative builds to a poignant conclusion focused on isolation, with 6LACK alone in frame, reinforcing themes of liberation from toxic dynamics.[13] This approach aligned with 6LACK's intent to reveal a less polished side of himself, as he described the visuals as a reflection of his transitional life phase.[14] Following the song's initial SoundCloud upload earlier in 2016, the music video significantly amplified its visibility and contributed to the buzz surrounding 6LACK's debut project FREE 6LACK.[14]Live performances
6LACK debuted "PRBLMS" in a live setting during his first New York City show at the No Ceilings event on January 17, 2017, where the performance capped off his set and highlighted the track's emotional delivery to a sold-out crowd.[15] Shortly after the song's music video release in October 2016, which fueled initial social media buzz, these early live renditions began amplifying its reach among R&B audiences. The track received prominent television exposure on The Late Late Show with James Corden in April 2017, where 6LACK performed it as part of the Apple Music Up Next series, introduced by host James Corden and Zane Lowe, backed by a live band for an intimate, soulful arrangement.[16] This appearance marked one of his earliest major network showcases, emphasizing the song's introspective lyrics and minimalistic production. "PRBLMS" became a staple in 6LACK's sets during his opening slots on The Weeknd's Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour across North America in 2017, often serving as a high-energy closer that resonated with fans, including a collaborative rendition with The Weeknd himself at the Prudential Center in Newark on June 4.[17][18] The tour exposure, alongside openers like Rae Sremmurd and Belly, helped solidify the song's status as a fan favorite in live contexts. By 2018, during tours such as his support role on Chris Brown's Heartbreak on a Full Moon Tour and headline shows like the one at Heaven in London on October 26, 6LACK evolved the performance of "PRBLMS" to include greater audience engagement, such as call-and-response elements in the chorus to heighten the communal vibe.[19][20] These adaptations transformed the track into an interactive closer, enhancing its emotional impact in larger venues. The song also benefited from early radio promotion, including its premiere on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show in May 2016, which helped build initial hype ahead of the album release.[21]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Prblms" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 95 on the chart dated March 25, 2017. The song climbed gradually, ultimately peaking at number 73 after spending 12 weeks on the chart.[22] On the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, "Prblms" entered at number 50 in the week ending December 3, 2016. It reached a peak position of number 34 and remained on the chart for 20 weeks, landing at number 96 on the 2017 year-end chart. Internationally, the song experienced limited charting success, reaching number 85 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart in 2017. It did not achieve significant positions on the UK Singles Chart or the Canadian Hot 100. The song's chart climb was influenced by streaming surges, particularly from inclusions on Apple Music playlists and widespread social media shares.[23] Later certifications provided a retrospective boost to its visibility.Certifications and sales
"Prblms" has achieved significant commercial success, earning multiple certifications across various countries for its sales and streaming performance. In the United States, the song was certified 4× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 20, 2023, denoting 4,000,000 equivalent units, which encompass a combination of digital downloads, physical sales, and on-demand audio and video streams.[24] Internationally, the track received further accolades. It was certified 3× Platinum in Canada by Music Canada in 2018, representing 240,000 units.[25] In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded it Silver certification in 2019 for 200,000 units. New Zealand's Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ) certified it Platinum in 2017, equivalent to 30,000 units. Additionally, Pro-Música Brasil granted Gold status in 2020 for 30,000 units in Brazil. Sales figures underscore the song's enduring popularity, with over 1 million digital downloads in the US by 2018 contributing to its early momentum. Streaming has been a key driver of its success, reaching over 504 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025, highlighting sustained digital consumption. This streaming performance correlates with its prolonged chart presence, amplifying its overall impact.[26]| Country | Certifying Body | Certification | Units Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RIAA | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000 | November 20, 2023 |
| Canada | Music Canada | 3× Platinum | 240,000 | 2018 |
| United Kingdom | BPI | Silver | 200,000 | 2019 |
| New Zealand | RMNZ | Platinum | 30,000 | 2017 |
| Brazil | Pro-Música Brasil | Gold | 30,000 | 2020 |