Take a Step Back

"Take a Step Back"
"Take a Step Back"
Single by Ski Mask the Slump God featuring XXXTentacion
from the album Drown in Designer and You Will Regret
Released	May 12, 2017
Recorded	2016
Genre	Punk rock; trap metal;
Length	3:30
Label	Victor Victor; Republic;
Songwriter(s)	Jahseh Onfroy; Stokeley Goulbourne; Ronald Spence;
Producer(s)	Ronny J
Ski Mask the Slump God singles chronology
XXXTentacion singles chronology

"Take a Step Back" is a song by American rapper Ski Mask the Slump God featuring fellow American rapper XXXTentacion. The song was released as a single for Ski Mask's mixtape You Will Regret. It was produced by Ronny J.

Background

"Take a Step Back" was originally released for Ski Mask the Slump God's mixtape Drown in Designer on May 16, 2016 and as a single for Ski Mask's mixtape You Will Regret on May 12, 2017. The song has been described as a "mosh pit anthem" and as the unofficial theme of rap festivals.^[1]^[2] The song utilizes elements of punk rock and heavy metal. The song was recorded on a pair of iPhone earbuds, giving it a distorted sound, but Ski Mask said that he and XXXTentacion used it to their advantage.^[1]^[3]

A feud ensued between Ski Mask and X between late 2017 and early 2018, with Ski Mask saying he wanted to be seen as an individual rapper rather than just X's partner.^[4] X briefly said he would quit music until Ski Mask would be his friend again.^[5] At the 2018 Rolling Loud festival while Ski Mask was set to perform, the two surprised the audience with X joining Ski Mask to perform "Take A Step Back", ending the feud.^[1]

Personnel

Ski Mask the Slump God – primary artist, songwriter
XXXTentacion – featured artist, songwriter
Ronny J – producer, songwriter

Certifications

Certifications for "Take a Step Back"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)^[6]	Gold	30,000^‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[7]	Platinum	30,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[8]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

External links

Audio on YouTube

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "How "Take a Step Back" Became a Mosh Pit Anthem". Complex. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
^ Elibert, Mark (2021-11-10). "Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, XXXTENTACION + More Officially Named SoundCloud Greats". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
^ Woods, Aleia (3 May 2021). "Ski Mask The Slump God Calls Out 6ix9ine After Tekashi Plays XXXTentacion's 'Look at Me' During Concert". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
^ "Ski Mask The Slump God Distances Himself From XXXTentacion – XXL". XXL Mag. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
^ "XXXTentacion Will Make Music If Ski Mask the Slump God Is His Friend Again". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
^ "Brazilian single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Xxxtentacion feat. $ki Mask The Slump God – Take a Step Back". Radioscope. Retrieved February 13, 2025. Type Take a Step Back in the "Search:" field.
^ "American single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back". Recording Industry Association of America.

[:0-1] "How "Take a Step Back" Became a Mosh Pit Anthem". Complex. Retrieved 2022-06-09.

[2] Elibert, Mark (2021-11-10). "Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, XXXTENTACION + More Officially Named SoundCloud Greats". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2022-06-09.

[3] Woods, Aleia (3 May 2021). "Ski Mask The Slump God Calls Out 6ix9ine After Tekashi Plays XXXTentacion's 'Look at Me' During Concert". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2022-06-09.

[4] "Ski Mask The Slump God Distances Himself From XXXTentacion – XXL". XXL Mag. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.

[friend_again22-5] "XXXTentacion Will Make Music If Ski Mask the Slump God Is His Friend Again". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.

[BrazilSki_Mask_the_Slump_GodTake_a_Step_BacksingleCertRef-6] "Brazilian single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved September 13, 2024.

[New_ZealandXxxtentacion_feat._$ki_Mask_The_Slump_GodTake_a_Step_BacksingleCertRef-7] "New Zealand single certifications – Xxxtentacion feat. $ki Mask The Slump God – Take a Step Back". Radioscope. Retrieved February 13, 2025. Type Take a Step Back in the "Search:" field.

[United_StatesSki_Mask_the_Slump_GodTake_a_Step_BacksingleCertRef-8] "American single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back". Recording Industry Association of America.

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v t e Ski Mask the Slump God
Discography
Studio albums	Stokeley (2018) 11th Dimension (2024)
Mixtapes	You Will Regret (2017) Beware the Book of Eli (2018)
Collaborative albums	Members Only, Vol. 3 (2017) Members Only, Vol. 4 (2019)
Singles	"BabyWipe" "Take a Step Back" "Catch Me Outside" "Faucet Failure" "Catch Me Outside 2"
Other songs	"What in XXXTarnation" "Nuketown" "Foot Fungus" "Costa Rica"
Related articles	Members Only

v t e XXXTentacion
Discography Death
Studio albums	17 ? Skins Bad Vibes Forever
Compilation albums	Look at Me: The Album
Mixtapes	Revenge
Collaborative projects	Members Only, Vol. 3 Members Only, Vol. 4
EPs	ItWasntEnough A Ghetto Christmas Carol
Singles	"Look at Me!" "What in XXXTarnation" "Gospel" "Revenge" "Jocelyn Flores" "Fuck Love" "Sad!" "Changes" "Moonlight" "Falling Down" "Arms Around You" "Bad!" "Run It Back!" "Royalty" "Hearteater" "Bad Vibes Forever" "Riot" "Vice City" "True Love" "I'm Not Human" "Let's Pretend We're Numb" "Whoa (Mind in Awe)"
Featured singles	"Take a Step Back" "Roll in Peace" "Again" "Don't Cry"
Other songs	"Everybody Dies in Their Nightmares" "Hope" "The Remedy for a Broken Heart (Why Am I So in Love)" "Before I Close My Eyes" "One Minute" "Middle Child"
Films	Look at Me (film) In His Own Words
Tours	The Revenge Tour
Related articles	Members Only Murder of XXXTentacion Murder trial
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