Butterflies (AJ Tracey song)

"Butterflies"
Single by AJ Tracey featuring Not3s
from the album AJ Tracey
Released	30 May 2018
Recorded	2018
Genre	Soca[1] dancehall[2]
Length	3:44
Label	Self-released
Songwriter(s)	Ché Grant Lukman Odunaike
Producer(s)	Nyge
AJ Tracey singles chronology
"Mimi" (2018) "Butterflies" (2018) "3AM" (2018)
Not3s singles chronology
"M3 Not You" (2018) "Butterflies" (2018)

"Butterflies" is a single by British rapper AJ Tracey featuring British rapper Not3s. It was self-released on 30 May 2018 for digital download and streaming.^[3] The single appears on Tracey's self-titled debut album (2019). The song, produced by Nyge, became Tracey's first song to chart, peaking at number 19 on UK Singles Chart, and receiving a silver certification by British Phonographic Industry.

Background

Speaking to The Fader about "Butterflies", AJ Tracey stated: "Africa's really well represented now, so hold tight with my African friends but my culture isn't represented. It's all cool listening to the afrobeats and afroswing, whatever you want to call it, but where is the dancehall, the soca, you know what I'm saying? There's none of this [in U.K. music]. I just wanted to showcase it a bit."^[4]

Music video

The music video was released on 30 May 2018. It was directed by Tracey himself along with Mornix. The video was shot in Trinidad and Tobago in February 2018.^[5]

Commercial performance

"Butterflies" entered at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart for the chart dated 8 June 2018, peaking at number 19 the following week. The song became AJ Tracey's first top 40 entry on the chart. "Butterflies" has also charted at number 7 on the UK R&B Chart and number 2 on the UK Independent Chart.^[6]

Critical reception

Robin Murray of Clash described the song as a "breezy summer feel, with AJ Tracey slackening off on the velocity but ratcheting up the style."^[7]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2018)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)[8]	98
UK Singles (OCC)[9]	19
UK Indie (OCC)[10]	2
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[11]	7

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)	Position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[12]	89

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[13]	2× Platinum	1,200,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "AJ Tracey Interview: Talks New Single 'Butterflies' & His Favourite World Cup Moment". Billboard. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
2. "AJ Tracey Brings Summer Vibes On "Butterflies" Ft. Not3s". HotNewHipHop. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
3. "Butterflies – Single by AJ Tracey & Not3s". iTunes. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
4. "AJ Tracey is ready for business". The Fader. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
5. "AJ Tracey - Butterflies (ft. Not3s)". YouTube. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
6. "Butterflies – AJ Tracey & Not3s Song". BBC Music. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
7. "AJ Tracey Drops Summer Smash 'Butterflies'". Clash. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
8. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
10. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
11. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
12. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2018". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
13. "British single certifications – Aj Tracey & Not3s – Butterflies". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 April 2023.