Racks in the Middle

"Racks in the Middle"
"Racks in the Middle"
Single by Nipsey Hussle featuring Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy
Released	February 15, 2019
Recorded	2018
Genre	West Coast hip hop
Length	3:53
Label	All Money In; Atlantic;
Songwriter(s)	Ermias Asghedom; Rodrick Moore Jr.; Chauncey Hollis Jr.; Dustin James Corbett; Greg Allen Davis;
Producer(s)	Hit-Boy
Nipsey Hussle singles chronology
Roddy Ricch singles chronology
Music video
	"Racks In The Middle (feat. Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy)" on YouTube

"Racks in the Middle" is a song by American rapper Nipsey Hussle featuring fellow American rapper Roddy Ricch and American record producer Hit-Boy, released on February 15, 2019, through All Money In and Atlantic Records. It is the last single Hussle released during his lifetime, as he was shot dead on March 31, 2019.^[1] The song received nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, winning the latter. The award marked Hussle's first Grammy win, with his family and his partner Lauren London accepting the award on his behalf.^[2]

Background

In an interview, Roddy Ricch said the song was initially only a collaboration between him and the song's producer Hit-Boy.^[3] He said Nipsey Hussle then heard the song and said he wanted it. Ricch recalls not liking the song at first, but putting his trust in Hussle who later claimed that "the streets are going to feel that shit".^[3]

Critical reception

Rolling Stone called the track atypical of Hussle's discography, saying his collaboration with Ricch and Hit-Boy resulted in a "more radio-friendly sound", but with "radical honesty" in its lyrics, which detail Hussle speaking to rap artist Tee Ran.^[1]

Music video

The music video was released to Hussle's YouTube channel on February 22, 2019, a week after the song's release, and features Hussle and Ricch rapping in front of women, various locations and luxury cars. Analysis of the video seems to show he's speaking to someone directly as said by him in his famous interview with Rap Genius, Billboard described the video as "lavish".^[4]

Commercial performance

Following Hussle's death, his music sales increased by close to 3,000% and his streams increased by 1,773% in the United States, with "Racks in the Middle" accumulating 3,000 units, or 11.8 million streams.^[5]^[6] This led to the song being one of four songs by the rapper to posthumously debut on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Racks in the Middle" becoming his highest-charting as a lead artist.^[7]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2019)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[8]	47
Ireland (IRMA)^[9]	70
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)^[10]	15
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)^[11]	93
UK Singles (OCC)^[12]	59
US Billboard Hot 100^[13]	26
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[14]	11

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[15]	71

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[16]	Platinum	80,000^‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[17]	Gold	15,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)^[18]	Silver	200,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[19]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

^ ^a ^b Fitzgerald, Kiana (April 1, 2019). "10 Nipsey Hussle Songs You Need to Know". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
^ Cowen, Trace William (January 27, 2020). "Nipsey Hussle's Family Accepts Posthumous Grammy Award for "Racks in the Middle"". Complex. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Roberts, Randall (December 5, 2019). "For Nipsey Hussle friend Roddy Ricch, Grammy recognition is bittersweet". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
^ Saponara, Michael (February 22, 2019). "Nipsey Hussle & Roddy Ricch Ride Around in Luxury for New 'Racks in the Middle' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
^ "Nipsey Hussle's Music Sales Surge Nearly 3,000 Percent Since Passing". The Source. April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
^ Espinoza, Joshua (April 4, 2019). "Nipsey Hussle Music Streams Increased 1,773% Following His Death". Complex. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
^ "Nipsey Hussle Posthumously Debuts Four Songs On Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
^ "Nipsey Hussle Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Nipsey Hussle". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 15. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
^ "Nipsey Hussle Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
^ "Nipsey Hussle Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Nipsey Hussel – Racks in the Middle". Music Canada. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Nipsey Hussle feat. Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy – Racks in the Middle". Radioscope. Retrieved December 28, 2024. Type Racks in the Middle in the "Search:" field.
^ "British single certifications – Nipsey Hussle/Roddy Ricch – Racks In The Middle". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
^ "American single certifications – Nipsey Hussle – Racks in the Middle". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 24, 2020.

[RS-1] Fitzgerald, Kiana (April 1, 2019). "10 Nipsey Hussle Songs You Need to Know". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 8, 2019.

[2] Cowen, Trace William (January 27, 2020). "Nipsey Hussle's Family Accepts Posthumous Grammy Award for "Racks in the Middle"". Complex. Retrieved January 27, 2020.

[:0-3] Roberts, Randall (December 5, 2019). "For Nipsey Hussle friend Roddy Ricch, Grammy recognition is bittersweet". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2019.

[4] Saponara, Michael (February 22, 2019). "Nipsey Hussle & Roddy Ricch Ride Around in Luxury for New 'Racks in the Middle' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2019.

[5] "Nipsey Hussle's Music Sales Surge Nearly 3,000 Percent Since Passing". The Source. April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.

[6] Espinoza, Joshua (April 4, 2019). "Nipsey Hussle Music Streams Increased 1,773% Following His Death". Complex. Retrieved April 8, 2019.

[7] "Nipsey Hussle Posthumously Debuts Four Songs On Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-04-26.

[sc_Canada_Nipsey_Hussle-8] "Nipsey Hussle Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

[sc_Ireland3_Nipsey_Hussle-9] "Irish-charts.com – Discography Nipsey Hussle". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2019.

[10] "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.

[sc_Slovakdigital2_-11] "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 15. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

[sc_UK_-12] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2019.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Nipsey_Hussle-13] "Nipsey Hussle Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Nipsey_Hussle-14] "Nipsey Hussle Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

[15] "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.

[CanadaNipsey_HusselRacks_in_the_MiddlesingleCertRef-16] "Canadian single certifications – Nipsey Hussel – Racks in the Middle". Music Canada. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

[New_ZealandNipsey_Hussle_feat._Roddy_Ricch_and_Hit-BoyRacks_in_the_MiddlesingleCertRef-17] "New Zealand single certifications – Nipsey Hussle feat. Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy – Racks in the Middle". Radioscope. Retrieved December 28, 2024. Type Racks in the Middle in the "Search:" field.

[United_KingdomNipsey_Hussle/Roddy_RicchRacks_In_The_MiddlesingleCertRef-18] "British single certifications – Nipsey Hussle/Roddy Ricch – Racks In The Middle". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 1, 2025.

[United_StatesNipsey_HussleRacks_in_the_MiddlesingleCertRef-19] "American single certifications – Nipsey Hussle – Racks in the Middle". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 24, 2020.

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v t e Nipsey Hussle
Discography
Albums	Victory Lap
Mixtapes	The Marathon The Marathon Continues Crenshaw Mailbox Money Slauson Boy 2
Singles	"Feelin' Myself" "Last Time That I Checc'd" "Dedication" "Racks in the Middle" "What It Feels Like"
Featured singles	"FDT" "Higher" "Deep Reverence"
Other songs	"Victory Lap" "Grinding All My Life" "Double Up"
Related articles	All Money In

v t e Roddy Ricch
Discography
Studio albums	Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial (2019) Live Life Fast (2021) The Navy Album (2025)
Mixtapes	Feed Tha Streets II (2018) Feed Tha Streets III (2022)
Singles	"Die Young" "Every Season" "Project Dreams" "How It Is" "Ballin'" "Big Stepper" "Start wit Me" "Tip Toe" "The Box" "High Fashion" "4 Da Gang" "Late at Night" "Stop Breathing" "Aston Martin Truck" "Twin" "Survivor's Remorse"
Featured singles	"Racks in the Middle" "Wow. (Remix)" "Letter to Nipsey" "Walk Em Down" "Numbers" "Rockstar" "The Woo" "Gifted" "Lemonade (Remix)" "Body in Motion" "Too Easy (Remix)" "Cooped Up" "B.R.O. (Better Ride Out)" "Pissy"
Other songs	"Pure Souls" "Dodger Blue"

v t e Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance
1980s–1990s	"Parents Just Don't Understand" – DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1989) "Bust a Move" – Young MC (1990)
2010s	"Otis" – Jay-Z & Kanye West (2012) "Niggas in Paris" – Jay-Z & Kanye West (2013) "Thrift Shop" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz (2014) "I" – Kendrick Lamar (2015) "Alright" – Kendrick Lamar (2016) "No Problem" – Chance the Rapper featuring Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz (2017) "Humble" – Kendrick Lamar (2018) "Bubblin" – Anderson .Paak / "King's Dead" – Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future & James Blake (2019)
2020s	"Racks in the Middle" – Nipsey Hussle featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy (2020) "Savage" – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé (2021) "Family Ties" – Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar (2022) "The Heart Part 5" – Kendrick Lamar (2023) "Scientists & Engineers" – Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future & Eryn Allen Kane (2024) "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar (2025)
Between 1991–2011, the category was split into two categories Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

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