To The Moon
by Jnr Choi (featuring Sam Tompkins)

Album: single release only (2021)
Charted: 48 38
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Born in the West African country of Gambia, Jnr Choi moved to London, where he made his name as a model. Choi appeared in campaigns for Topman and Zara, and walked for Givenchy and AMIRI before transitioning into rap music. This club-friendly drill track became his breakthrough single after exploding on TikTok.
  • Choi moved into the world of music after a girl told him on FaceTime he looked like a rapper. A producer homie of his found a beat, and within a month he'd recorded his first track, "Belvedere," and shot the video.
  • Jnr Choi wrote the song himself. It finds him coming on to a love interest, anticipating having sex with her. He tells the girl she lights him up like the sun shines on the moon.
  • The Gambian rapper recorded "To The Moon" with producer Parked Up in August 2021. "He shot the beat over in an email," Choi told Gaffer, "and I sent it back the next day completely finished."

    Choi put the track aside for a few months before releasing it independently on November 6, 2021.
  • The song samples British singer-songwriter Sam Tomkins' cover of Bruno Mars' Doo-Wops & Hooligans track "Talking To The Moon."
  • The song's success caught the attention of major labels worldwide and Jnr Choi signed deals with Epic Records and Sony Music UK's Black Butter Records.
  • Jnr Choi took the song title from a tweet by Elon Musk that talks about going to the moon.
  • Jnr Choi released a remix with Gunna on March 25, 2022. The collaboration came about through Atlanta-based Epic Records A&R Tyshawn "Fly Ty" Johnson's relationship with the Atlanta rapper.

Comments: 1

  • Unknown from UnknownJnr Choi's driver for the music video is a man from Dominican Republic named Juan Gutierrez.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.