Look Alive
by BlocBoy JB (featuring Drake)

Album: SIMI (2018)
Charted: 17 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Drake contributes a verse and the hook to this track by BlocBoy JB. The Memphis rapper is signed to Drizzy's label OVO Sound and this is the first collaboration between the pair.
  • Drake''s father Dennis Graham, is a Memphis native and the Toronto MC references during the chorus his Bluff City roots.

    901 Shelby Drive, look alive, look alive ('live)

    901 is the area code for Memphis, where BlocBoy JB is from. The young Aubrey "Drake" Graham spent his summers with his father in the East Shelby Drive area located in the south east of the city.
  • Speaking with Fader BlocBoy explained how he first hooked up with Drake.

    "OK, so, he had posted the song [on Instagram], and as soon as he posted it, I had replied 100. And then he was like, 'My favourite rapper! We gotta cook.' As soon as I said, 'OK,' he called me.

    And then the next day, he sent me his part of the song. He knew my producer [Tay Keith] already so he was already talking to him and he got the beat from him, sent it to me early in the morning. I jumped straight up and went to the studio. Then about two or three days later, he was in the city and we shot the video."
  • The beat is courtesy of BlocBoy's regular producer Tay Keith. The pair have worked together ever since Keith moved to BlocBoy's North Memphis neighborhood when the rapper was 14.
  • The song's music video was directed by Fredrick Ali, who also shot the clip for BlocBoy's "Rover 2.0" with 21 Savage. The visual features BlocBoy JB, Drake, rapper Moneybagg Yo and their crew at various locations in Memphis.

    "The way this video actually embodies the song, this was the inner city of Memphis," Ali explained to Genius. "Where people don't just really get to see. Drake was saying he just wanted us to pick out the spots that signify a lot to us. What we didn't want to do was do the generic Memphis places. We didn't go to any tourist spots."

    The dance scene between Drake and BlocBoy was filmed at a gym owned by Penny Hardaway, head coach of Memphis State's basketball team. The pair showcase the viral dance move BlocBoy popularized with his "Shoot" single.

    "[Drake] doing the shoot dance? In my head, we kinda figured he was gonna pop it out," said Ali. "I'm behind the camera crying laughing 'cause he's actually doing it, then he threw in the' Hotline Bling' move with it. I was like, 'Ok, he's been practicing this move, 'cause he can actually do it when he adds something else to it.' When he hit this move I was crying laughing."

    Ali completed the video shoot at the street where BlocBoy grew up.

    "What made this a very important spot for Bloc to even shoot at was just for the fact that's what made him" the director said. "He grew up at this spot. That's where he became BlocbBoy when he was here. It was real big for him to come back to this spot, so no matter where he go in the future you gon' always remember where he came from."
  • The song was originally Drake's record. Tay Keith told Billboard:

    "I had cooked up Drake a pack and that ended up being one of the beats he f---ed with. Then, we eventually sent it to Blocboy JB and let him hop on it. We shot the video the same week. We really did everything quick. It was a real Memphis vibe."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.