Hotline Bling
A chart-topping R&B hit that turned a personal plea into a viral dance phenomenon and Grammy-winning anthem.
Released by Canadian rapper Drake on July 31, 2015, "Hotline Bling" served as the lead single for his fourth studio album, Views (2016), though it was credited only as a bonus track. The song reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped year-end critics' polls from Pitchfork and The Village Voice. Directed by Director X and financed by Apple Inc., its music video premiered on October 19, 2015, sparking a wave of parodies including a Super Bowl 50 T-Mobile commercial featuring Drake himself.
- Artist
- Drake
- Genre
- Pop / R&B
- Release Date
- July 31, 2015
- Peak Chart Position (US)
- Number 2
- Awards
- 2 Grammy Awards, 1 American Music Award
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The track's journey began when it premiered on Beats 1 OVO Sound Radio as "Hotline Bling (Cha Cha Remix)," originally seen as a remix to DRAM's "Cha Cha." Composed in F major with a tempo of 135 beats per minute, the instrumental samples Timmy Thomas's 1972 song "Why Can't We Live Together." Critics praised Drake's emotional presentation; Jayson Greene of Pitchfork called it a "halting, aching song" reminiscent of The Police's "Roxanne," while Rolling Stone ranked it number 3 on their year-end list. However, the song also drew criticism for perceived sexist undertones, with Allyson Shiffman of Bullett noting the lyrics suggest Drake is "not okay" with his ex having a life of her own.
In Their Own Story
On October 4, 2015, Drake announced the music video via Instagram, revealing it was filmed in Toronto and inspired by Sean Paul's "Gimme The Light" clip and the work of artist James Turrell. Director X hoped the visuals would inspire men to dance more, featuring choreographer Tanisha Scott recreating her previous work with him. Released under a timed exclusivity agreement on Apple Music two months after the song's digital download debut, the video quickly gained popularity on YouTube. It spawned memes like "Wii Shop Bling" and was parodied by Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live and in a Red Nose Day sequel to Love Actually starring Hugh Grant.
Reader's Guide
Listeners will hear a pop and R&B track produced by Nineteen85, built on a chord progression of Bbmaj7 – Am7. The song entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 66 on August 22, 2015, fueled by 41,000 digital downloads in its first week. It climbed to number 9 before peaking at number 2 for five non-consecutive weeks behind Adele's "Hello" and The Weeknd's "The Hills." In the United Kingdom, it reached number 3 on the Singles Chart and topped the UK R&B Chart. The track won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song at the 2016 American Music Awards and secured two Grammy wins in 2017 for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Performance.
Did You Know?
- The song was originally released on Beats 1 as a remix of DRAM's "Cha Cha".
- Billie Eilish released a cover version on a pink 7-inch vinyl for Record Store Day in April 2018.
- Drake's dance moves from the video were included in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Destiny.
- The music video was financed by Apple Inc. under a timed exclusivity agreement.
- The song samples R&B singer Timmy Thomas's 1972 track "Why Can't We Live Together".
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hotline Bling?
This artifact refers to a pop and R&B single released by Drake that served as the lead track for his fourth studio album, Views. It was officially issued on July 31, 2015, though it later appeared only as a bonus track on the record.
What are Hotline Bling's powers/role?
Its primary function was to dominate airplay and culture, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 while inspiring a massive wave of viral dance parodies. The track also secured critical acclaim by topping year-end polls from major publications like Pitchfork.
How does Hotline Bling's story end?
The narrative concluded with significant industry recognition, including two Grammy Awards and one American Music Award for the artist. It remains a defining anthem of his career despite its bonus track status on Views.
Why is Hotline Bling important?
Its music video, financed by Apple Inc. and directed by Director X, transformed a personal plea into a global phenomenon that even influenced Super Bowl advertising. This cultural footprint cemented its legacy beyond just chart performance.
When was Hotline Bling first activated?
The song premiered digitally in late July 2015, followed by the music video launch on October 19 of the same year. These dates mark the beginning of its widespread consumption and meme lifecycle.
More in Signature Songs & Hits
Related in Drake
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Drake universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record