| Nobody Speak | |
| Cover: | DJ Shadow - Nobody Speak vinyl cover art.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Caption: | Vinyl release cover art |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | DJ Shadow featuring Run the Jewels |
| Album: | The Mountain Will Fall |
| B-Side: | Instrumental and acapella versions |
| Recorded: | 2015 |
| Genre: | Hip hop |
| Length: | 3:16 |
| Producer: | DJ Shadow |
| Chronology: | DJ Shadow |
| Prev Title: | Ghost Town |
| Prev Year: | 2014 |
| Next Title: | Rocket Fuel |
| Next Year: | 2019 |
"Nobody Speak" is a song by American hip hop producer DJ Shadow, featuring rap verses from American rap duo Run the Jewels. The song was first a part of Run the Jewels' Record Store Day release, which was a virtual reality cardboard viewer that included a digital download code for the song. It also acted as the lead single from Shadow's fifth studio album, The Mountain Will Fall (2016). A music video for the song was released on August 24, 2016.
"Nobody Speak" features rap verses from El-P and Killer Mike of rap duo Run the Jewels, who were credited as the song's writers alongside DJ Shadow. It contains a musical sample of "Ol' Man River" by Caterina Valente, and a lyrical sample from "Top Billin'" (from Audio Two's 1987 album What More Can I Say?).[1]
The instrumental features a funk-like bass and drum groove, brass horns, as well as guitar loops. Shadow chose El-P and Killer Mike as collaborators due to their vocal style fitting the song's instrumental the most.[2] [3]
"Nobody Speak" was first made available through the Run the Jewels Record Store Day release. It consisted of a special virtual reality cardboard viewer, which held a code that granted the purchaser to a free digital download of the song.[2] The song was eventually made available for a paid download through Mass Appeal Records.[4] The song was later released as a limited edition 12" vinyl single on August 24, 2016 through Mass Appeal and Liquid Amber.
A music video for "Nobody Speak" was released on August 24, 2016. The video, which has been described as "brutal [and] politically charged",[5] features political representatives in a meeting. The leaders of the groups begin a rap battle against each other, which after around 90 seconds turns into an all-out brawl involving virtually everyone in the meeting room. The video finishes with one leader preparing to impale his counterpart with an American flag.[5] [6]
The leaders of the groups are played by Igor Tsyshkevych and Ian Bailey.[6] Shadow commented on the video, saying that they wanted to make a "positive, life-affirming video that captures politicians at their election-year best. We got this instead."[7] Killer Mike also commented on the video, saying that "It's such a dope video ... it's what I really wish Trump and Hillary would just do and get it over with."[8]
The video was directed by Sam Pilling and features cameo appearances of Shadow, El-P, and Killer Mike.[9] It was filmed at the "Ukrainian Dim" (Ukrainian House) exhibition center in Kyiv, Ukraine.[10]
The song has appeared in trailers for films including Suburbicon, Booksmart, and Good Boys.[11]
The song is used briefly in Deadpool 2.[12]
A television ad campaign in 2021 for the electric Cadillac Lyriq automobile featured the instrumental portion of the song.[13]
The song also appears in "Prague", the 8th episode of season 1 of HBO's satirical dark comedy drama Succession.
Personnel adapted from The Mountain Will Fall liner notes.[16]
| Chart (2016–2017) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard)[17] | 13 | |
| US Rap Digital Songs (Billboard) | 40 |