Released 27 October 2007 Genre Hip hop Label Illusive Sounds | Recorded 2007 Length 4:21 | |
Format Digital download, CD Single | ||
"Bullet and a Target" is a song by Australian hip hop trio Bliss n Eso, with featured vocals from Connections Zulu Choir. The song was released as the lead single from the trio's third studio album Flying Colours on 27 October 2007. Bullet and a Target was inspired by the living conditions Bliss, Eso, and Izm had witnessed when visiting South Africa in 2007. Bullet and a Target peaked at No. 43 on the ARIA Singles Chart, making it their first top 50 single and second top 100 single.
Contents
Content
The song is about Bliss n Eso's experience observing the poverty during their trip to Africa in 2007. It is a reworking of Citizen Cope's "Bullet and a Target".
Background
Bliss n Eso were invited to South Africa by The Oaktree Foundation alongside Evermore to show the situation in Africa to the Australian public. Bliss n Eso stayed in South Africa for ten days and shot the song's music video during their stay. Speaking of the experience in Africa, Eso said "You could be strong, thick skinned, but everyone had to have a moment where they had to be by themselves and sit down in the car and soak in what was going on". Bliss n Eso donated 100% of profits raised by the song to help poverty stricken communities in South Africa.
Music video
The music video was shot during Bliss n Eso's ten-day stay in Africa. It features Bliss n Eso rapping the song as they walk through African neighborhoods, and the Connections Zulu Choir and other Africans singing the chorus. The music video has around 600,000 views on YouTube and 300,000 in another upload.
Critical reception
The song received a highly positive reception. Polaroidsofandroids.com wrote "However, this album isn't without it's pleasurable moments. The lead single, Bullet and a Target, recorded with a 20-piece Zulu choir, is maybe the best 'get up, stand up' Australian hip-hop song that The Herd never recorded.
Chart performance
The song debuted at No. 52 on the ARIA Singles Chart. The song peaked at No. 43 and spent a total of five weeks in the top 100.