Released June 17, 2013 Recorded 2012 Length 3:52 | Format Digital download Genre Dancehall, reggae Label Cash Money, Republic | |
"Twerk It" (stylized as "#Twerkit") is a song by American hip hop recording artist Busta Rhymes featuring Trinidadian born rapper Nicki Minaj. The song, produced by Pharrell Williams, is the lead single from Busta Rhymes' tenth studio album, E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front (2015). The album is his first under Cash Money Records, which is distributed by Republic Records, a flagship recording label of Universal Music Group. The song has been said to be Jamaican-inspired and is influenced by dancehall music. A music video for the song was shot in Flatbush, New York on June 3, 2013.
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Background
The original version was released on May 2, 2013, online, and later as a digital download on May 17.
On May 31, Minaj hinted the release of a new song tweeting: "surprise, surprise...recording it tomorrow, shooting it on the 3rd...". It was later revealed that the recorded song was a remix of Busta Rhymes' "Twerk It". On June 6, Busta premiered the song on radio station Hot 97 with DJ Funkmaster Flex, and later made it available online.
On June 17, the remix version, which is now the official single version, was released as a digital download through iTunes. The song was released to rhythmic radio stations on June 25, 2013.
Music video
A music video was shot in Flatbush at Pulse 48 directed by Director X. Minaj came to the video shoot unaware it would have such a large setup saying "I didn't know this was a real video". A behind the scenes video was released June 19, 2013 showing Minaj sporting a yellow and polka dot top and appearances from DJ Khaled and Pharrell. Director X commented on the video stating: "The video will have a lot of big booty judy's".
The video was directed by Director X and premiered on July 24, 2013 on MTV2 Jams as the Jam of the Week.
A behind the scenes video was released on June 19, 2013 by Minaj's friend and video producer Grizz Lee. In the footage, Minaj is seen recording her verse in the studio and shooting the video the next day, porting a studded captain's hat and twerks for the camera before shooting scenes with Busta and DJ Khaled, who gets the crew laughing with his attempt at a Jamaican accent. Pharrell also stops by the set and shares a funny moment with Nicki in the parking lot.
Remix
On August 1, 2013, Busta Rhymes revealed on RapFix Live that the official remix will feature Vybz Kartel, Ne-Yo, T.I., French Montana, and Jeremih. On August 8, the remix was released featuring the mentioned artists.