Johnny Dang (song)

This article is about song. For the Vietnamese jeweler, see Johnny Dang.

"Johnny Dang"
Single by That Mexican OT, Paul Wall
from the album Lonestar Luchador
Released	May 26, 2023
Genre	Chicano rap[1]
Length	3:12
Label	Manifest GoodTalk Good Money Global
Songwriter(s)	Virgil Gazca Paul Slayton Richard Elizondo Adrian Tobias
Producer(s)	TobiAli, Jonah Abrams, Jonny Shipes, Darez
That Mexican OT singles chronology
"Slide" (2023) "Johnny Dang" (2023) "Barrio" (2023)
Paul Wall singles chronology
"Got That Fire" (2023) "Johnny Dang" (2023)
Drodi singles chronology
"Bow Down" (2023) "Johnny Dang" (2023)
Music video
"Johnny Dang" on YouTube

"Johnny Dang" is a song by American rappers That Mexican OT, Paul Wall and Drodi. It was released on May 26, 2023 as the lead single from the former's album Lonestar Luchador (2023). Produced by TobiAli and Darez, the song is a tribute to the Vietnamese American jeweler of the same name.

Background

In an interview with Billboard, That Mexican OT stated the song came together when he was in his apartment with TobiAli, who played him the beat for the song, which OT decided to use. The lyrics "Louis Vuitton umbrella when I walk through the rain" was inspired by British-American rapper Slick Rick's flow in "Children's Story".^[1]

Release and promotion

Prior to the song's release, it was teased on social media earlier in May 2023.^[2] The single was released on May 26, 2023.^[3] On June 1, 2023, That Mexican OT posted on the video-sharing platform TikTok a clip of himself performing the chorus of the song into a microphone against a background of a pastoral landscape where charrería is taking place, while donning a cowboy hat and oversize Pro Club T-shirt and holding a chicken. The video went viral on social media, propelling OT and the song to prominence.^[4][5]

Controversy

On July 27th, 2024 KyleBeats, a youtuber and music producer came out with a video stating this song had used a beat from a free drum kit and the beat was made by his friend Darez,^[6] however Darez had not been credited. He attempted to get Darez and himself credited for the song and Darez paid during the video. Kyle was not able to get Darez paid due to the song being found on a royalty free drum kit, however Darez was credited and gifted a platinum plaque for the song.

Music video

The music video was released alongside the single. Directed by D Green Filmz and filmed at Johnny Dang's jewelry shop in Houston, it sees That Mexican OT wearing a bejeweled belt, diamond grills, and his signature cowboy hat. He shows off his cars with Paul Wall, Drodi and the artists also hang out under a highway.^[2] The video features a cameo from Dang,^[1][2] with whom OT pours Paul Masson cognac.^[2]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart performance for "Johnny Dang"

Chart (2023)	Peak position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[7]	18
US Billboard Hot 100[8]	65
US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs (Billboard)[9]	19
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[10]	28

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Johnny Dang"

Chart (2023)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11]	60

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Raygoza, Isabela (August 29, 2023). "How That Mexican OT Is Putting Tejano Rap on the Map With 'Johnny Dang'". Billboard. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
2. Lane, Vincent (May 27, 2023). "That Mexican OT and Paul Wall Shine Like "Johnny Dang"". The Garnette Report. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
3. "Johnny Dang - Single". Apple Music. May 26, 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
4. Falcón, Jaime (July 27, 2023). "Commentary: Meet That Mexican OT, the viral man with the chicken". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
5. Stewart, Shelby (August 2, 2023). "That Mexican OT is carving his path as a trailblazing voice of Texas rap". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
6. Kyle Beats (2024-07-27). Famous Rapper 'Stole' my Beat and the Song went Platinum. Retrieved 2024-07-29 – via YouTube.
7. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 24, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
8. "Billboard Hot 100: Week of September 2, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
9. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of September 23, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
10. "Rhythmic Airplay: Week of November 4, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
11. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
12. "American single certifications – That Mexican OT – Johnny Dang". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 3, 2024.