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BMF (song)

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"BMF"
Single by SZA
from the album Lana
ReleasedJanuary 7, 2025
Genre
Length3:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Blake Slatkin
  • Carter Lang
  • Omer Fedi
SZA singles chronology
"Luther"
(2024) 		"BMF" and "30 for 30"
(2025)
Audio
"BMF" on YouTube

"BMF" (originally "Boy from South Detroit") is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from Lana (2024), the reissue of her second studio album SOS (2022). It is a pop and bossa nova song that interpolates the 1962 single "The Girl from Ipanema", composed by Brazilian musician Antônio Carlos Jobim. Cheerful and whimsical in tone, the lyrics are about SZA's attraction to a handsome and dark-skinned man, whose beauty makes her want to remove her underwear. She includes references to the Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles, as well as the fictional South Detroit mentioned in the 1981 Journey song "Don't Stop Believin'".

The song was released to radio stations in the United States on January 7, 2025, as a single from Lana. It debuted at number 55 on the country's Billboard Hot 100, rising on the chart due to its increasing viral popularity on social media. The song later peaked at number 29. Elsewhere, "BMF" was a top-10 song in Southeast Asia, peaking at number 4 in the Philippines, as well as New Zealand. It reached the top 40 in Canada, Australia, San Marino, and the UK. In reviews of Lana, critics focused on the song's upbeat sound and "Girl from Ipanema" interpolation. Two were complimentary; one felt that the interpolation was out of place.

Background

[edit]

SZA's second studio album, SOS, was released on December 9, 2022.[1] Soon afterward, she posted on social media to tease a deluxe edition for the album.[2] In August 2023, she spoke to Variety and revealed that the deluxe edition became a "whole 'nother" project, a reissue she named Lana. It would consist of post-SOS songs alongside some anticipated outtakes that did not appear on the album.[3]

Around SOS's release, The Line of Best Fit reported that American rapper and singer Lizzo was to feature on a track from Lana, supposedly titled "Boy from South Detroit".[4] SZA addressed the song in a podcast episode for Rolling Stone, calling it "BMF" alongside the widely publicized title.[5] She told the interviewers that "BMF" was a fan-favorite outtake from SOS, which was scrapped by her manager Punch. According to SZA, he had told her that the song was not "exciting' enough to be on the standard SOS tracklist.[5][6] The released version of "BMF", which appears on Lana, is a solo track, with Lizzo nowhere in the credits.[7]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

"BMF" is a pop and bossa nova song.[8][9] Its composition is upbeat, whimsical, and lighthearted, as are the lyrics.[8][10] In a review of Lana for Pitchfork, Shaad D'Souza wrote that "BMF" has a "TikTok pop" musical style.[11] The song's overall mood deviates from the more angsty and melancholic emotions that are present in other Lana tracks, as well as SZA's past ones.[8][9] "BMF" interpolates the melody of "The Girl from Ipanema" (1962), composed by Brazilian musician Antônio Carlos Jobim.[9][12] In particular, it uses the Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto rendition, which is interpolated by the song's hook.[9]

In the lyrics, SZA fantasizes about a man she finds attractive,[13] convincing him that she is the right woman for a romance.[14] She compliments the subject of the song by calling him "young and fine and dark and handsome".[14] For the "BMF" hook, not only is the melody interpolated, the lyrics of Getz and Gilberto's cover are as well. SZA sings in the hook: "The boy from South Detroit keep bossin' / And I can't keep my panties from dropping / He's so fly."[a]

The "South Detroit" lyric references a fictional location mentioned in the Journey song "Don't Stop Believin'", released in 1981.[16][17] Another location SZA mentions in "BMF" is a road in Los Angeles called Slauson Avenue. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone writes that it may be a tribute to Nipsey Hussle, a rapper raised in the nearby Crenshaw neighborhood and shot dead at the same road.[9]

Release

[edit]

After the Variety interview, in September 2023, SZA performed "BMF" alongside two other Lana tracks at a concert in New York.[3] Leaks of the song circulated online, sometime before the reissue's release.[12]

"BMF" is the fifth track of Lana, released on December 20, 2024.[18] In the US, it was released to contemporary hit radio stations on January 7, 2025.[19] The same month, it was released to rhythmic contemporary radio as well.[20] The song received radio airplay in Italy on January 17, 2024.[21]

Critics who reviewed Lana and mentioned "BMF" tended to focus on the composition. In a track-by-track ranking for Billboard, Mackenzie Cummings-Grady wrote positively about the song's upbeat nature. According to him, the pop sound and lighthearted lyrics successfully provided Lana with enough levity to balance the heavier themes of its other tracks. He ranked it as the reissue's 11th-best song.[8] Variety journalist Jem Aswad, who highlighted its "Girl from Ipanema" interpolation, listed "BMF" as one of Lana's standouts.[12] Meanwhile, Pitchfork's D'Souza found the interpolation somewhat out of place, writing that it added "a wrinkle" to the pop composition.[11]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"BMF" debuted at number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart[22] and number 75 on the Philippines Hot 100.[23] Due to its increasing viral popularity on social media, it reached the Philippines' top 10 as soon as the second week.[23][24] It later peaked at number 4.[23] "BMF" also reached the top 10 in other Southeast Asian countries—Malaysia (8)[25] and Singapore (9)[26]—as well as New Zealand (10).[27] On the Canadian Hot 100, it was the highest-charting entry from the reissue (24).[28][29] Elsewhere, "BMF" was a top-40 song in Australia,[30] San Marino,[31] and the UK.[32] On the Billboard Global 200 chart, it peaked at number 24.[33]

"BMF" appeared on several US radio charts. The single reached the top 10 on both Rhythmic and Pop Airplay; respectively, it peaked at number 9 and number 7.[34][35] The song also charted on Dance/Mix Show Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay, peaking at numbers 23 and 25 respectively.[36][37] After being released to radio, "BMF" peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100.[38]

Credits

[edit]

Adapted from Tidal[39]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "BMF"
Chart (2024–2025) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 16
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[40] 2
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[29] 24
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[41] 9
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[42] 41
Global 200 (Billboard)[33] 24
Ireland (IRMA)[43] 24
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[44] 19
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[45] 83
Malaysia (Billboard)[46] 13
Malaysia International (RIM)[25] 8
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[27] 10
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[23] 4
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[31] 17
Singapore (RIAS)[26] 9
UK Singles (OCC)[32] 21
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[47] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 29
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[37] 25
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[35] 7
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[36] 23
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[34] 9

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "BMF"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[48] Gold 40,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "BMF"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States January 7, 2025 Contemporary hit radio
[19]
Italy January 17, 2025 Radio airplay Sony Italy [21]
United States January 2025 Rhythmic contemporary radio
  • Top Dawg
  • RCA
 [20]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The mentioned lines from the "BMF" hook are cited to Variety and Rolling Stone.[9][12] The interpolated lyrics are: "Tall and tan and young and lovely / The girl from Ipanema goes walking / And when she passes, each one she passes goes 'ah!'"[15]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Siregar, Cady (December 9, 2022). "On SOS, SZA Once Again Blows Expectations Out of the Water". Consequence. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  2. ^ Monroe, Jazz (December 17, 2024). "SZA Releasing New SOS Deluxe Album This Week, Enlists Ben Stiller for Teaser". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 16, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Aswad, Jem (December 21, 2024). "The Long Road to Lana: Why SZA Took Two Years to Drop the SOS Deluxe Album". Variety. Archived from the original on December 21, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (December 9, 2022). "Lizzo Will Reportedly Feature on Deluxe Version of SZA's SOS Album". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Hiatt, Brian; Conteh, Mankaprr (December 18, 2022). "SZA Speaks! Inside Her New Album and Much More". Rolling Stone Music Now (Podcast). Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Inman, DeMicia (December 22, 2022). "SZA Explains Why Certain Fan-Favorite Songs Were Excluded from New Album, SOS". Vibe. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Wang, Steffanee (December 20, 2024). "See the Full Credits of SZA's SOS Deluxe: Lana". The Fader. Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (December 20, 2024). "SZA's SOS Deluxe Lana: All 15 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Sheffield, Rob (December 21, 2024). "SZA Is at Her Most Streamlined and Direct on Lana". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 22, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  10. ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (December 24, 2024). "SZA SOS Deluxe: Lana Review". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  11. ^ a b D'Souza, Shaad (January 6, 2025). "SZA: SOS Deluxe: Lana". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d Aswad, Jem (December 22, 2024). "SZA's SOS Deluxe: Lana Is a Low-Key but Satisfying Collection to Tide Fans Over Until Her Next Chapter". Variety. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  13. ^ Wehner, Cyclone (February 11, 2025). "SZA – SOS Deluxe: Lana Review: Chasing Tranquility Amid the Chaos of Love, Life and Fame". NME. Archived from the original on February 26, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Thompson, Stephen (January 1, 2025). "After Nearly Two Years, SZA's SOS Rockets Back to the Top of the Album Chart" (Audio upload and transcript). NPR Music. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  15. ^ Italie, Hillel (June 6, 2023). "Astrud Gilberto, Singer of 'The Girl from Ipanema,' Dead at 83". Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  16. ^ DeVito, Lee (December 13, 2022). "SZA Announces SOS Arena Tour with Detroit Stop". Detroit Metro Times. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  17. ^ Hyman, Peter (January 10, 2012). "What Is the Great Mistake Lurking in 'Don't Stop Believin''?". Vulture. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  18. ^ Kaufman, Anna (December 20, 2024). "SZA Drops Lana After Hourslong Delay: 'We Been Up for Days'". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Pop Mart: Hot New Releases". Hits. January 10, 2025. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Crossover: Your Radio Add Recaps". Hits. January 14, 2025. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Attanasi, Claudia (January 13, 2025). "BMF – SZA". EarOne (in Italian). Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  22. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Countdown for January 11, 2025". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 28, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d "Week of January 11, 2025". Billboard Philippines. January 8, 2025. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  24. ^ Saenz, Rome (January 8, 2025). "SZA's 'BMF' Reaches No. 9 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  25. ^ a b "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 2 (3/1/2025-9/1/2025)". RIM. January 18, 2025. Archived from the original on February 9, 2025. Retrieved January 18, 2025 – via Facebook.
  26. ^ a b "RIAS Top Charts Week 2 (3 - 9 Jan 2025)". RIAS. RIAS. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  27. ^ a b "NZ Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. January 10, 2025. Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  28. ^ Decter, Rosie Long (January 7, 2025). "SZA's SOS Deluxe: Lana Returns Her to the Top of the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart". Billboard Canada. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  29. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  30. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 20, 2025. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 20/02/2025" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. February 20, 2025. Archived from the original on February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  33. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  35. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  36. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  37. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  38. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  39. ^ "SOS Deluxe: Lana: SZA: Credits". Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. February 9, 2025. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025 – via Tidal.
  40. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 20, 2025. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  41. ^ "SZA Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  42. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 9. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  43. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  44. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of January 15, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  45. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Jan 30, 2025". TopHit. Archived from the original on February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  46. ^ "SZA Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  47. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  48. ^ "Canadian single certifications – SZA – BMF". Music Canada. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
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